Three Characteristics
1. Restoration. The Mercy Project Colorado is looking for individuals and congregations who have a great heart for children and a passion for issues of justice and restoration. Although many justice-minded ministries focus on rescue of and advocacy for children who have been trafficked (and we support them!), The Mercy Project Colorado is focused on the restoration of these children, and places its priorities on the the work of healing and transforming those who have already been rescued. We focus on restoring rescued children who now need assistance in facing a new life.
2. Training and Accountability. Many individuals participate with The Mercy Project Colorado through prayer and personal giving to our organization. We make sure these individuals are kept current regarding the use of their gifts, and offer opportunities for training and further knowledge of trafficking, aftercare facilities, and related subjects. We also offer training opportunities for those individuals who want to know more about trafficking and being part of the restoration process.
If a church congregation wants to partner with The Mercy Project, we will assist the church by helping the leadership introduce this ministry to the congregation, determining and training appropriate leadership for the ministry and by raising awareness and understanding about the nature of trafficking for the entire congregation. We will also work closely with the church to assist them in designing an appropriate template of events and activities for a facility, offering additional educational and training opportunities, and providing avenues to share ideas, best/most frequent practices, and fellowship with other congregations.
*Please note that for participating churches, we do require that the church pay a one-time Affiliation Fee to The Mercy Project Colorado. This fee demonstrates to the facility a sincere and focused commitment to the work. All leaders and volunteers of The Mercy Project ministry within a specific must also undergo an extensive background check and be trained and approved by The Mercy Project before beginning the ministry. The Mercy Project also monitors each church in their partnering with an aftercare facility.
3. Consistent and Appropriate Action. As mentioned above, The Mercy Project Colorado works to design a template of appropriate avenues and events for monthly engagement with the staff of the facility for both individuals and congregations. Too often well-meaning people want to approach the facility directly, meet with children, provide them with gifts, spend time with them, etc. But because of the many issues revolving around trafficking and the damage that has been done to these children, it is essential that participants have a clear understanding that the majority of our work is directed at the caregivers of these children. Our actions must be consistent, and they must also be appropriate and sensitive to the needs of a particular facility and its staff members. By doing these things, we restore the needy children who need to start their lives over.
NOTE: Participating in a Mercy Project partnership or activity is not a substitute for a loving, healthy home. But partnership can provide some assurances for the children as caregivers are supported — financially, emotionally, and educationally — freeing them up for greater service and devotion. We seek to strengthen the facility as a place of protection, professional mentoring and counseling and to create a facility that can offer adequate medical and educational assistance.
Along with other ministries of rescue and advocacy, The Mercy Project Colorado is a viable means to not only assist in the restoration process of healing, but also bring to an end the horrific practice of trafficking.
