Mobilising Churches

Churches are the single largest untapped resource in the fight against child sexual exploitation. They are present in every country of the world and have a mandate to protect and advocate for the abused. Even governmental and secular agencies are crying out for the church to help.

Through an international partnership, The Asha Forum is developing a six phase model to mobilize local churches to effectively partner in a globally coordinated battle against child sexual abuse. The phases are as follows:

1. Awareness through small groups

A video and accompanying literature are used in a 50-minute small group lesson to increase awareness among participants about the reality of the many forms of child sexual abuse, God's heart for children, and the many ways the problem can be addressed. Participants are encouraged to prayerfully consider how they might respond.


2. Equipping for prayer

At the end of the awareness lesson, participants are particularly encouraged to make others aware, and begin gathering for consistent prayer those within whom God has begun to move. They may choose to begin a small group that meets regularly to pray for children at risk of sexual abuse and those working to help them. Or an existing small group may take 10-20 minutes in their weekly meeting for focused prayer. Download Prayer Guide (pdf, 143Kb)


3. Protection & healing from abuse within the church

Prayer will begin to clear the way to start addressing child sexual abuse in the church. A small group will be equipped with a check list and literature to begin making the church a safer place for children and adults, and providing opportunities for healing for those who have been sexually abused.


4. Serving the local community

After a church is made aware, equipped to pray and begun addressing child sexual abuse internally, their hearts will be softened by their discoveries so close to home. They will also be more equipped to help those in their community. At this stage, the church is encouraged to offer their time and resources to assist local efforts addressing child sexual abuse (i.e. crisis lines, street outreach, youth shelters, counseling centers). They will also be offered good practices for beginning projects.


5. Mentoring other local churches

A church that has progressed through the previous stages in the Asha Team Model is offered tools for gathering and mentoring other local churches through the same process.


6. Starting the Asha Team model in a foreign city

At this stage, a church would be equipped to gather organizations and church leaders in a foreign city in order to pass on the Asha Team Model.