Daniel Walker (3) (1967–)

This book tells the true story of one man’s efforts to free women and children from the shackles of modern-day slavery. It tells of the huge emotional cost involved in his undercover work and the bigger cost of ignoring this tragedy that so severely affects millions of those in captivity around the world. This book is written by a God-fearing and imperfect man who implores others like him and everyone who is part of God’s church to do what they can to fight this growing epidemic. As God’s hands and feet in this world, Walker urges us to no longer sit idly by while so many are suffering and in need of rescue.

The United Methodist Church, and especially the United Methodist Women, have the issue of human trafficking on their radar. Servant Church, a United Methodist church start in Austin, Texas, did a Lenten study with materials from Not for Sale to promote awareness of trafficking and develop a Christian response. As we educate our church with the facts, more of us are looking to take action. Not many of us will go undercover into brothels around the world as Walker has, but he believes more of us should. His book tells this story and many of its gruesome details. It is not for the faint of heart, but these facts should be known; this world should be exposed; and we should all seek a place in the fight.

Walker alternates between telling of how he got involved in this work, what it entails, and the devastating effects it has on his personal life with the stories of some of the women and children he has rescued or those that he has met and lost. The book abounds with sad stories and triumphant victories ending with the hope that God’s people will work to free God’s children of these physical bonds just as Jesus freed us from our own spiritual slavery. Walker writes in the style of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “I have a dream that churches around the world will come alive with a passion for justice and a hatred of evil, that their goals would no longer be centered around revival or church growth, but the freedom of humanity from all that enslaves and oppresses” (p. 200).

I recommend this book to adult women’s groups, men’s groups, mission teams and church leaders who are in need of a challenge to live a bolder faith. A free discussion guide is available online. This book was provided for free to the NC Conference Media Center from the publisher.… (mehr)

I won this book from Goodreads

This was a well-written book, but even though the author is trying to help these children and young women, it shows how impossible it is. After saving 1 child, there are 10 more to take her place. The toll this kind of work takes on a person is something we don't really think too much about and I'm glad the author was so open and honest about it. He had to admit things about himself that he probably didn't want to and he ended up losing his wife because of this job. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Hopefully the few girls and boys who you were able to save will now have a normal, happy life.… (mehr)