Missionfest Manitoba shines spotlight on human trafficking
WINNIPEG, MB—“Human Trafficking: Speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves” is the theme of this year’s Missionfest Manitoba.
The annual event, which features displays from mission organizations from around the world, takes place February 7-9 at Church of the Rock in Winnipeg. The weekend also includes keynote speakers, worship, and events aimed at children, youth and young adults.
For Christians, missions is not an option, says Missionfest Manitoba executive director Gordon Gilbey.
“There’s a universal call to missions, but then how that plays out in each person’s life is unique,” Gilbey says. “What we have at Missionfest is a smorgasbord of opportunities for people to get involved in so they can find out what God wants them to do as their part in the Great Commission.”
Gilbey has organized 11 Missionfest events in Winnipeg as well as two in Brandon since he was hired in 2003. He says he chose the theme of human trafficking because it impacts so many people around the world.
“It’s getting a great deal of profile around the world,” Gilbey says, noting that current estimates declare that 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across transnational borders each year, and when intra-country trafficking estimates are included, the number reaches into the millions.
“It’s a pretty wide and deep phenomenon.”
Keynote speakers include Jim Martin, vice president of spiritual formation at International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression; and Miss Canada 2011 Tara Teng, a human rights advocate dedicated to ridding the world of human exploitation.
The event will also feature 140 exhibitors waiting to speak with attendees about how they can get involved in missions.
“If I can somehow participate in raising the missions bar in Manitoba by informing people about missions and giving them an opportunity to become involved in missions, then that really excites me,” Gilbey says.
To view the 2014 edition of Missionfest Manitoba Magazine click here: Missionfest Manitoba Magazine 2014
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