Gather, Pray and Go is a fundraising event put on to provide women survivors of human trafficking an all expense paid experience to Known Women’s Conference in Green Bay, WI. Many of the survivors are supported from the Damascus Road Project.
Three years ago, I found myself sitting a crossed from my best friend of 25 years at a booth in Seth’s Coffee Shop. Honestly, as we planned Gather, Pray and Go that evening, neither of us understood the depth of what Gather, Pray and Go would mean. We knew we wanted the word ‘Gather’. The concept of gathering people together in Jesus’ name has been a desire of ours for quite some time. We also knew we wanted…no….needed to pray together for the terrible reality of human trafficking and for the survivors who would be attending the Known Conference. But the third word had us stumped. As we threw ideas back and forth, we snickered at the ridiculous ones, gave each other a shrug at the boring ones and finally landed on the word ‘Go’. At the time, we knew people would be leaving with a thank you drink from Seth’s, education about human trafficking from The Damascus Road project and the encouragement to continue praying. Being a rather short event, it seemed appropriate to call it Gather, Pray and Go.
Just before this year’s third annual Gather, Pray and Go, I was prompted to read the familiar Bible story of the Good Samaritan. Remember hearing it when you were a kid? (I can still see the felt board in my head as I sat crisscross applesauce in the basement of the old church. I see you children from the 80’s.) As I read the story this time though, I realized there is so much more than I had remembered!
As Jesus’ story goes from Luke 10:29-37
…. the man of the law asks, “Who is my neighbor?” “In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert of the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Samaritan bandaged the wounded man, put him on his own donkey and brought him to an inn to recover. I’d say that was extremely commendable! The Samaritan had already prolonged his own journey as he took the time to respond to the man and then he walked to his destination. But he didn’t stop there! He cared for the wounded man through the night. Then he paid for his stay AND came back to continue to care for the man, all while covering any additional expenses that may have occurred. The Samaritan did so much more than bandage the man up and send him on his way. He continued to care and sacrificially pour into the wounded man. After Jesus tells this story, he tells the man of the law to, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus’ command isn’t empty. It holds so much power. Why? Because that’s exactly how Jesus loves us.
Jesus’ command isn’t empty. It holds so much power. Why? Because that’s exactly how Jesus loves us. He meets us in our worst and never leaves us. He didn’t just save us; He gave it all and then He offered forgiveness, grace, reconciliation and restoration! He pursues us, values us and goes on to bless us again and again.
We often think of ourselves as the Good Samaritan in this story but let’s not forget that we are all the wounded on the roadside until we accept God’s love.
We often think of ourselves as the Good Samaritan in this story but let’s not forget that we are all the wounded on the roadside until we accept God’s love. And when you have been loved so deeply, you put your freedom and faith into action and “Go and do likewise” through the power of the Holy Spirit……you’ll need His power…. It’s not easy. It’s a sacrifice and takes intention but it is so worth it!
This is how we want to love at Known. As an outreach to the women of Damascus Road Project, we want to meet the survivors of human trafficking where they are at. We want to pray for them. We want to pay for their tickets, transportation, food and childcare. We want to give them resources for healing. We want to put mercy into action. We want to love them extravagantly. Why? Because that’s how Jesus loves us.
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