Disclaimer: This article contains the personal views and opinions of the author.
Former professional football player, baseball player, and outspoken Christian Tim Tebow launched his campaign against human trafficking. He told Fox News that he believes this is “one of the greatest evils in the world today.”
According to Operation Underground Railroad, child sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 U.S. states. And according to the International Labor Organization, they estimate that human trafficking brings in around $150 billion in business each year.
They also estimate that there are currently 25 million victims of human trafficking around the world.
Human trafficking happens anywhere, and everywhere and to children and adults, alike.
Tebow said, “It’s such a focus for me because we believe this is one of the greatest evils in the world today. So many girls and boys and women and even some men are trapped in this horrible evil.”
“It’s not just the idea of human trafficking that is so horrific. It’s the human exploitation of children” that must be stopped. It is something that I feel we are called to, our team is called to.”
He continued, “And in a macro sense, we are really called to help the most vulnerable people around the world, and these are some of the most vulnerable people.”
“Every single one of these lives is so valuable. They’re so loved by God and they better be loved by us.”
“This is something that has been very near and dear to my heart and Demi’s heart. And we both feel we are called in different times and different ways to it, but for both of us, it’s such a passion for us.”
“Our whole team — this is something we care very deeply about.
He went on to talk about the mission statement.
“Our mission statement is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.”
“A lot of these girls and boys who are in these situations — this is really their darkest hour of need. And that’s where we feel called to — to chaos, crisis — to these hard places.”
“It’s easy for people to show up on others’ best day. We want to be there on their worst day. We want to be able to help them on their worst day so that one day they will have their best day.”
This birthday fundraiser will raise money for a safe house for girls in Thailand.
Tebow also said, “Ever since my eyes were first opened to this evil almost decade ago, this is just something that’s been a huge calling for me.”
“And it’s something I know we’ll be on for a long time.
“Just in the last few days, there have been many rescues in many countries, including here.”
“We’re able to be a part of the rescues of young girls — to bring restoration to them — and every one of those rescues is a massive win.”
“But we also want to make a global impact, not just domestically. We want to be able to fight back against this in a lot of different ways, whether that’s in the education about it, or the restoration and or the rehabilitation of it — all of the above.”
He went on to talk about the victims and the way they must feel.
“The people who were supposed to love you instead abused you. The people who were supposed to treasure you instead exploited you.”
He told Fox News about the concrete needs to help with this disgusting evil:
A few months ago, our ministry partners at Rapha International approached us with an urgent need expressed to them by law enforcement and government officials in Thailand—a need to expand their operation by providing additional security for high-risk trafficking survivors with active court cases.
At this very moment, there are 15 girls who need this specialized protection. Fifteen girls are still extremely vulnerable to danger at the hands of ruthless traffickers who will deploy any tactic necessary to silence their victims before they can testify. Fifteen girls who are daughters of God—priceless in value, and yet, some of whom have price tags on their heads right now.
Once built, the TTF Protection Center will protect up to 60 high-risk survivors each year through the implementation of some of the tightest security measures available, while also providing them with Gospel-centered holistic care at the hands of trauma-informed staff.
To join Tebow and his team in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation, visit the link here.
