The International General Council of the Church of God, meeting this week in Orlando, Florida, unanimously passed an anti-trafficking statement during Thursday’s business session. Then, in a spontaneous move of God, Presiding Bishop Dr. Gary Lewis challenged the body of Ordained Bishops to raise $1 million to resource the fight against human trafficking – but they did not stop there.
Within the hour, more than $1.5 million in gifts and pledges came in as thousands of attendees lifted their hands in prayer and commitment. Dr. Lewis then pledged to appoint a task force to lead what will become a global ministry to rescue sons and daughters from human trafficking in every form. Commitments continued to pour in later that day bringing the unofficial amount to over $2 million.
“I want what we do to be significant,” Dr. Lewis said. “It’s got to be more than words that go in a book. It’s got to be action by our church, where we drive a stake in the ground and say we are going to make a difference in the lives of children who have been exploited and abused.”
“We are going to do everything to stand in the gap and make a difference,” Lewis said.
This will not just make this an action item at the international level. Lewis also asked every state and region to appoint a leader or director to head the anti-trafficking effort at the local level, and for every pastor and church to do the same – creating a team at every level of ministry in the Church of God.
The agenda item itself, which passed with no opposition, affirmed that the Church of God “must actively oppose all forms of trafficking and exploitation through prayer, education, prevention and restoration.” Thanks to Thursday’s unannounced offering, those efforts will begin with a powerful head start on funding.
In other action, the International General Council passed two additional agenda items.
The body voted to modify Exhorter Licensure, renaming it “Licensed Minister.” Under this new title, the rank will be granted for a two-year period where the candidate will serve in a chosen area of ministry specialization.
The license can be maintained by renewal, with qualifiers involving training in the minister’s area of specialization.
An agenda item was also passed to include the option of online monthly reporting for ministers and spell out exemptions to monthly reporting. The General Council headed into Friday’s final session continuing deliberation on Item No. 10 dealing with the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence.
The 80th General Assembly concludes on Friday with a final morning session of the General Council, followed by the General Assembly on Friday afternoon. A final evening service begins at 6:00 pm featuring a message by Dr. Jentezen Franklin of Gainesville, GA. The service will be followed by a Teen Talent Awards Festival, the first to be held at a General Assembly since 2008.
By David White