Summit on Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is happening at alarming rates in the cities, suburbs and rural areas of New England. God has already mobilized many Christians (individuals and churches) to be part of the solution. To be voices of hope and healing as we bring the justice, mercy, wisdom and power of God to bear on one of the greatest social evils of our time.
The Summit is an opportunity: * To be inspired by survivors who have experienced profound healing in Christ and become courageous leaders in the anti-trafficking movement * To learn from leaders who have responded to God's call and pioneered ministries that are addressing human trafficking in New England at every level * To gain fresh insight on where action is most needed, access to leaders who can help you explore potential roles, and exposure to key ministries you can get involved with. * To be refreshed as we join with believers from around New England in worship and prayer.
Registration is now open! $20/person at www.faithandjusticesummit.org
SCHEDULE
8:00am Registration and Tables open
9:00am Main Session One BECCA STEVENS; Thistle Farms
10:35am Break
10:50am Main Session Two STEPHANIE CLARK; Amirah Healing in Community: A Deep-Dive into Supporting Survivors of Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking has become one of the trendiest topics in America. Many want to help survivors, but on a practical level, how do we do that well? In this session, we’ll explore what Healing in Community looks like, and how we can move ahead with wisdom in developing aftercare initiatives in New England.
12:15pm Lunch (See details below) and Visit the Tables of Participating Organizations
1:30pm Main Session Three ANNEMARIE BOULAY; The Underground Pathway to Impact: A Story of The Church in the Anti-trafficking Movement This session will highlight the God story of The Underground: Lighting the Way to Freedom – how the ministry was developed, our partnerships with state agencies, and what we’ve learned about how the church can most strategically contribute to the anti-trafficking movement.
4:00pm Meet Participating Organizations
4:30pm Summit Ends
LUNCH Our hope is that everyone will stay on the Bethany Church campus for lunch as the schedule is very busy. There are many places to eat, both inside and outside, and it will be a great time to connect, visit the vendor tables, and help us keep on schedule.
* If you don’t want to pay for your lunch, please feel free to bring your own.
* Catering is from Panera, choosing from five options below. We NEED to submit our order by Monday, April 16, so the deadline for placing your order (no exceptions!) is 4/15 at 7:00pm.
* Cost per lunch is $15 regardless of which option. Those who order lunch will receive a color-coded voucher at registration, depending on which option you choose.
2018 Keynote Speakers
BECCA STEVENS
Author, Speaker, Priest, Social Entrepreneur Founder and President; Thistle Farms
BIOGRAPHY: Becca Stevens is an author, speaker, priest, social entrepreneur, and founder and president of Thistle Farms. After experiencing the death of her father and subsequent child abuse when she was five , Becca longed to open a sanctuary for survivors offering a loving community. In 1997, five women who had experienced trafficking, violence, and addiction were welcomed home. Twenty years later, the organization continues to welcome women with free residences that provide housing, medical care, therapy, and education for two years. Residents and graduates earn income through one of four social enterprises. Thistle Farms’ global market helps employ more than 1,800 women worldwide, and the national network has more than 40 sister communities.
Becca has been featured in The New York Times, on ABC World News and NPR, and was recently named a 2016 CNN Hero and a White House “Champion of Change.” She was featured in the PBS documentary A Path Appears, named Humanitarian of the Year by the Small Business Council of America, and inducted into the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame. Stevens attended the University of the South and Vanderbilt Divinity School. She has been conferred two honorary doctorates.
Her newest book, Love Heals, was published by Harper Collins in September of 2017. Becca lives in Nashville with her husband, Grammy-winning songwriter Marcus Hummon, and their three sons.
PLENARY SESSION TOPIC(S):
STEPHANIE CLARK
Executive Director; Amirah
BIOGRAPHY: Stephanie Clark is the Executive Director of Amirah. She is a passionate advocate for victims and survivors of sex trafficking, working to provide not only a place for aftercare to exist for these individuals, but develop a greater system of aftercare within our communities. She has a desire to see both global and domestic changes in the view of women. She came to Amirah after serving for four years as an Associate Pastor on the North Shore of Boston. Prior to that, she was a small business owner. She is a writer, public speaker and advocate. She presented at the Tri-County Human Trafficking Conference in Killington, VT, provided testimony to the Massachusetts State Judiciary Committee, and has been called upon by local leaders within this movement to bring insight for best practices when working with survivors.
She has her undergraduate degree in biblical languages from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. She comes to New England from Michigan. She and her husband, Dave, enjoy hiking together with their two daughters. In her down time, she loves to read a good book with a cup of tea while Nina Simone is playing in the background.
PLENARY SESSION TOPIC(S):
Healing in Community: A Deep-Dive into Supporting Survivors of Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking has become one of the trendiest topics in America. Many want to help survivors, but on a practical level, how do we do that well? In this session, we’ll explore what Healing in Community looks like, and how we can move ahead with wisdom in developing aftercare initiatives in New England.
ANNMARIE BOULAY
Director of Connecting & Women’s Ministry; Wintonbury Church, Bloomfield, CT Founder; The Underground
BIOGRAPHY: Annmarie Boulay is the Director of Connecting and Women’s Ministries at Wintonbury Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut. She has also co-founded The Underground, a ministry she has great passion for, which brings together churches in Connecticut to fight against the injustices of human trafficking in the region. A graduate of St. John’s Business School, she worked in the marketplace for over 20 years and founded Pinnacle Consulting which specializes in patient advocacy and 3rd party insurance.
In 2000, while juggling a successful business and family life, she began to serve in women’s ministry at her local church. Five years later, she responded to God’s call and joined the staff at Wintonbury Church where she is a recognized leader in many ministries.
Annmarie Boulay is a lifelong native of Massachusetts and resides in Longmeadow with her husband of 23 years, Brian and her daughter, Teresa. She enjoys a full life that includes traveling, motivational speaking, ministry development and mentoring leaders.
PLENARY SESSION TOPIC(S):
Pathway to Impact: A Story of The Church in the Anti-trafficking Movement This session will highlight the God story of The Underground: Lighting the Way to Freedom – how the ministry was developed, our partnerships with state agencies, and what we’ve learned about how the church can most strategically contribute to the anti-trafficking movement.
