Allen Temple Baptist Church

Rev. Harry Williams with Rachel Lloyd, executive director of GEMS, N.Y.C.

For generations the scourge of human trafficking has been synonymous with Oakland, California.  The 1972, Blaxploitation film, “The Mack” introduced Oakland’s flesh trade to the world.  The Hughes Brothers 1999 documentary, “American Pimp” merely served to update the city’s tragic problem.  Human trafficking has quietly risen to become the second most prevalent criminal enterprise on the planet.

Locally, both the pimps and the people that they exploit have become younger.  Today, there are children, some as young as ten years old being sexually exploited on the streets of Oakland.

The Streets Disciples take their name from a song called, “Just A Moment” which was recorded by New York City hip hop artist, Nas.  The group has formed to offer support and aid to the victims of human trafficking.  The ministry networks with other churches and social service agencies to provide legal services, housing assistance, advocacy and spiritual counseling to those in the need. The ministry also seeks to offer support to the parents and grandparents of commercially sexually exploited people. The Streets Disciples plan to offer educational services to at-risk youth.

Notes: The Streets Disciples welcomes members who would like to participate in our fight to bring freedom and dignity to brothers and sisters trapped in the new American slave trade.   Opportunities for service range from clerical work to street level evangelistic ministry.  Not everyone is called to be a front line soldier.  If you can help with correspondence or help us prepare lunches for the folks whom we serve, we can use your help.

Related Streets Disciples Links:

www.revharrywilliams.com

www.oaklandseen.com “Streets Disciples” organize to battle 21st century slavery”

http://wandasabir.blogspot.com/2011/04/east-oakland-summit-on-human.html

http://oaklandnorth.net/2011/04/11/oakland-church-hosts-symposium-on-human-trafficking/

http://www.cocoafly.com/2011/04/saving-our-girls-from-oaklands-streets.html

http://www.cocoafly.com/2011/04/saving-our-girls-from-oaklands-streets_13.html

http://www.cocoafly.com/2011/04/saving-our-girls-from-oaklands-streets_9492.html

http://www.cocoafly.com/2011/04/child-sex-trafficking-outside-my-front.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld2X1FJrSRQ (youtube video of Nola Brantley)