Sound of Freedom Resources and Blog

I've mentioned the film Sound of Freedom in conversation and even from the pulpit after seeing it recently.  While not new information, it certainly was a moving presentation of a real problem.

Since then, several people from my church - Harderwyk Ministries in Holland, MI - have approached me with an interest to learn more as well as to get involved in engaging it - especially locally.  We are taking some steps - praying, making phone calls, collecting information and the like.  I intend to gather what we learn beginning with this blog.

First, I'd say watch the film yourself.  Better, watch it with some trusted friedns, then sit down to talk some about it afterwards.  What do you think?  What did you learn?  What might a "next step" be?

Updated on Thursday, August 3

A trusted ministry colleague has pointed me towards an organization working with Human Trafficking called "Michigan Abolitionist Project."  Website:  www.michiganabolitionistproject.org    CLICK HERE  I found this 5-minute YouTube video an interesting first contact with their ministry.  CLICK HERE

About the Movie Sound of Freedom

Our local paper recently had a front page article about another controversy that mentioned in passing "the controversial film Sound of Freedom."  Controversial?!?  More on that later, but for now, after you have seen the film for  yourself, here are two articles that give very helpful context and perspective on the film itself.

Is ‘Sound of Freedom’ the Next ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’? from Christianity Today - CLICK HERE

What Anti-Trafficking Experts Think of the Hit Movie ‘Sound of Freedom’ from The Gospel Coalition - CLICK HERE

The Film Is Recent - The Problem Is Not

David Ruark is a friend and colleague going back to the '90's when I was in Mt Pleasant and he was with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Central Michigan University.  I eventually moved to Asheville and beyond.  He loft for New York City with IVCF and International Justice Mission.  I'm trying to reconnect again, but along the way I've found these two YouTube videos produced by him.  These also give good background, especially regarding the broader issue beyond international child sex trafficking of Sound of Freedom.  Notice: they are from 2013 and 2014 and talk about prostitution and economic slavery.  One is a sample talk David did on the University of Michigan campus.

It's fair to say that Sound of Freedom shines a light on a gripping portion of a larger problem that has been around for too long.

Price of Life NYC Final Report - A 2013 film recapping an effort in New York City.  - CLICK HERE  Good to see my friend Dave's smiling face at about 1:00 in video.

Price of Life - Project Rescue (Education Station) Sept 11, 2014 - This is a sample 16 minute talk used for the Price of Life: Project Rescue residence hall programs at the University of Michigan. - CLICK HERE

What Could BE "Controversial" About Educating and Opposing Human Trafficking?

I've seen this in more than my own local paper and frankly, was really surprised.  So I dug and tried to understand.

Simply put: to date I am not convinced.

Basically, some people raise concern that Sound of Freedom is "adjacent to" or a "dog whistle" for QANON conspiracy theories.  If you are not familiar with the conspiracy theories floating around under the ruberic of QANON, congratulations.  I think they have been discredited multiple times over and are long past discarded.  CLICK HERE for a brief background post done by Joe Carter on TheGospelCoalition.org.  

The connection seems to be Sound of Freedom is about international child sex trafficking and QANON had a thread about secret pedophiles in government, so they must be connected.  And one of the actors has sounded friendly to QANON people and ideas.

That is a pretty thin connection in my mind.  For me, QANON is discredited craziness and humman trafficking - including internation child sex trafficking - is real and has been around for a while.  I can hold both of those thoughts together.

Connecting them only serves to discredit and undermine any attention or energy put to resisting humman trafficking.  And who benefits from that??

I can't and won't do what Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad has done.  But I'm thankful for the light Sound of Freedom has given to a dark reality in our world right now.  I want to learn more and prayerfully identify how I can join those who are already at work to disrupt and resist this horror.  Email me - CLICK HERE or Bill@Harderwyk.com - if you have information to share or questions to ask.  I'm happy to talk or meet.   I really want to move forward with this.