GOD TV Joins Battle against Human Trafficking

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Global Christian network GOD TV will broadcast a music concert featuring big name Christian bands this weekend in an effort to raise awareness about modern day slavery.

"The Stand – Freedom to Reign" was recorded in Birmingham, U.K., in November and featured hit Christian music groups and artists such as Delirious, Jon Foreman from Switchfoot and YFriday.

Music performances were coupled with an address by U.N. Gift Special Advisor on Community Action against Human Trafficking Steve Chalke with the goal of inspiring people to take action to stop human trafficking.

There are at least 12.3 million people worldwide who work as slaves or in other forms of forced labor, according to U.N. estimates. In the United States, the State Department reports that 17,500 people are trafficked into the country each year for forced prostitution or labor.

In other words, there are more slaves in the world today than ever before in human history.

Three programs will be aired on GOD TV starting on Jan. 30 and ending on Feb. 1. The programs can be watched via satellite on DIRECTV or through webstreaming at the network's website.

Besides the music performances and address by the U.N. official, "The Stand" also includes video footage that show the real impact of human trafficking on innocent lives.

Among those shown is the story of a young girl, named Geeta, from Nepal who was sold into prostitution in India. The video also tells the story of a British mother who shares the account of how her teenage daughter was trafficked.

"Human trafficking is a horrific reality so many people are unaware of, yet statistics show that some 27 million people are trapped in modern-day slavery across the world," said Wendy Alec, director of television at GOD TV. "It is time for God's people to join the fight against this."

"We all have to play our part and I encourage the GOD TV family around the world to tune into these important broadcasts this weekend and find out how they can make a difference," she added.

GOD TV was founded in 1995 by Rory and Wendy Alec from the United Kingdom. Today the network is carried by multiple satellites providing free viewing to almost half a billion people 24-hour-a-day. The Christian network is also involved in humanitarian aid and developments such as feeding programs, water drilling projects, disaster relief funds and supporting orphanages.