Nov. 1, 2013

By Jose Soriano, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -Dr. Wayne Barnard, director of student ministries for the International Justice Mission (IJM), was on Campbellsville University's campus raising awareness on human trafficking issues around the world.

He spoke at the Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy and at chapel Oct. 22 and 23, respectively.
Barnard quoted the first Global Slavery Index that says there are 29.8 million people in the world who are in slavery.

“Since being in college myself, I've always known that students are the key to creating social change in our world,” Bernard said. “Students create movements that literally change the world.”

IJM's justice professionals work in their communities in 16 field offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America to secure tangible and sustainable protection of national laws through local court systems.

He focused on one main theme, and even more than a theme he focused his speech in one specific word, “Justice.”

“Justice—the mandate that all children, women and men, human beings that bear the image of God, have the ability to flourish among God's creation, to live without abuse, to exercise power and freedom in their lives—to have the life, liberty and dignity for which they were created, to enjoy the very fruits of their love and their labor,” he said.

IJM's mission is simple — rescue, protect and prove that justice to the poor is possible.

Barnard said there are 4 billion people in the world who are poor, more vulnerable to slavery and human trafficking and not able to protect themselves. He said they cannot ask for help or call 911, and that's why IJM was formed to try to help.

IJM has a way to reach their goals including how to “strengthen the local justice systems so that the laws against these crimes, that are already on the books, are enforced on behalf of the most vulnerable of society.”

Barnard has found success along the years, saving thousand of people in needs every single year. He said the number of people being rescued each year keeps increasing.

Barnard showed a 12-minute video presentation about a girl who was sold into slavery twice and how IJM rescued her both times.

His motivation and strength to work in human trafficking comes from God he said.

“Seek the Lord and he will deliver you from all your fears,” Barnard said. “We are called to move beyond our fears, to take up the mantle of courage, knowing that God goes before us, and that his glory is our rear guard.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.