April Teen Making a Difference

Did you know there are more slaves in the world today than during the entire transatlantic slave trade. Poverty, debt, promise of a better life are all possible entry points for enslavement. Some facts: According to some estimates, approximately 80% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, and 19% involves labor exploitation.
 

.    There are approximately 20 to 30 million slaves in the world today.
 

According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. More than 70 percent are female and half are children.

Zach Hunter decided to take action and provides an example of how one person can make a difference. While in the seventh grade Zach came up with the idea to raise money to free slaves. He started a campaign called Loose Change to Loosen Chains, to support groups that rescue slaves. His school and youth group students raised more than $8,500 to rescue victims of slavery and other forms of oppression. Now hundreds of student groups have launched Loose Change to Loosen Chains to join his efforts.

“Zach says there comes a point when your faith and your relationship with God have to be your own, and it can't be influenced by anything or anyone outside. You have to make your own decision about your faith in God and what it means to you.  Zach admits with his speaking schedule, school, and other commitments it is a challenge to keep up a steady relationship with God, but it is a priority for him and he makes the time for God every day no matter what.            

Zach is amazed where God has brought him. He didn't think his campaign to free slaves would get as big as it has, and he didn't think he would be doing the things that he's been able to do. Zach wants to abolish world slavery for good in his lifetime. He didn't expect to write a book and now he has two more in the works – Generation Change – stories about teens and 20 somethings making positive changes in the world and a second book that he is still developing about passion. 

Several Scripture passages have inspired him, including Proverbs 31:8-9 and Isaiah 1:17 that talk about how God wants us to seek justice and rescue the oppressed. Zach doesn't know what career path he would like to take. He is interested in writing, arts, and music.”  Author, Be the Change (Zondervan, 2007);

Started Loose Change to Loosen Chains program when he was 12-years-old;

Has served as the global student spokesperson for The Amazing Change, the social justice campaign launched in conjunctions with the recently released movie Amazing Grace;