Free & Fit NJ - A21 Walk for Freedom - Harrington Park New Jersey

On Saturday 20th October 2018 Free & Fit Youth group, in partnership with A21, orgnaized a Walk for Freedom in Harrington Park New Jersey.

It was a clear, moderately warm day without wind or rain thus creating perfect conditions to go on a short walk and raise awareness of human trafficking. A21 is an organisation co-ordinated by Pastor Christine Cane who ten years ago had a dream to start a new charity and to help abolish slavery through walking around different cities, in different countries and raising awareness of the global sex trafficking industry.

In her own words on the morning of Saturday 20th October Christine Caine had this to say about the Walk for Freedom, which is now a global movement.

"What started as a dream 10 years ago, is now unfolding before my eyes. Tens of thousands of people are walking to eradicate slavery in over 450 places around the world. Just a few hours ago, #WalkForFreedom kicked off in my home country of Australia and is now rapidly making its way across every single continent.

It is truly amazing to see lines of abolitionists fighting for freedom in major cities and rural villages. This is why we walk. To see slavery abolished in the places we call home. In our cities, nations, and world. I truly believe that every flyer we hand out, every poster we carry, and every step that we take has the power to abolish slavery. Step by step, city by city, we are taking some serious ground."

Christine Caine, A21, is an Australian activist, evangelist, author, and international speaker. Caine and her husband, Nick, are best known for founding The A21 Campaign in 2008, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization that combats human trafficking. (Wikipedia).

So why Harrington Park? Whilst visiting London this summer I had an opportunity to serve on team at the Hillsong European Conference with some wonderful people from around the world who are impacting their local communities through social justice.

As a Social Justice Serving Team we were able to learn, support and encourage one another and our delegates to support ministries such as Compassion International, Greenlight, Refugee Response, Medair, Watoto and of course A21. Currently I serve as a Youth Director in Harrington Park, Norwood and Old Tappan where such a walk and work is not currently happening.

During my research and preparation for the walk I came across the New Jersey Coalition against Human Trafficking and I was able to attend their regional monthly meeting where I learnt more about the work they are doing in New Jersey and how we could work together to combat human trafficking. In future I will be attending monthly meetings to help combat human trafficking across New Jersey to help aid the local teams on the ground and to fulfil our mission of reducing loneliness through Sports, the Arts, Service and Social Justice.

As we look to the future of our Social Justice work it is also important to recognise the wonderful work that is already happening in the area. One project which took place on the same weekend of our walk was the "Crop Walk" a walk organized in collaboration with Churches across the local area to raise awareness about hunger. CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. Please visit Crop Hunger Walks for more information.

The Walk for Freedom was necessary, important and only a small way of us showing our support for A21 and the wonderful work they continue to do throughout the year. Currently we have raised $135 towards the work they continue to do. Please feel free to help A21 by supporting them by donation through our page here.

As a community Free & Fit feels that the A21 movement and Walk for Freedom is very much in line with our mission and the original vision we had for our Free & Fit Curriculum based on the Biblical principles of Galatians 5:1 (a) "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" and 2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline. This can be read below in the vision for the Free & Fit Curriculum 2017.

The Free and Fit Challenge has been created to renew the mind, build strength, break personal bests, develop relationships and transform bodies . Participants who complete the full course over 12 months will learn how to work effectively with their team members to build strong values of power, love, and self discipline.

If you have any questions about this walk please contact us at freeandfitnyc@gmail.com.

Should you have any general questions about A21 or the global Walk For Freedom email info@a21.org.

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Love and Blessings F&F Team. Join Tim at Free and Fit events by signing up to our events online at our website below. Free & Fit Website: https://www.freenfit.org/ Free & Fit Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCf4gjFopw_eyr6-w7c3bxiQ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pg/freeandfitchallenge Twitter&Instagram: @freeandfitnyc Email: freeandfitnyc@gmail.com Freedom // Fitness // Fellowship Free & Fit Challenge © Copyright 2017 Free & Fit NYC/NJ © Copyright 2017 Free & Fit London © Copyright 2017