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Christian conference raises $160,000 in 1 hour for rescued prostitutes in Ukraine

By: David Maegraith
Monday, 8 November 2010, 7:50 (EST)
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Delegates at the Hillsong Men's Conference in Sydney today raised $160,000 in just one hour to support a house for women rescued from prostitution in Ukraine.

With around 3,000 men attending the conference, this equates to over $500 donated on average by each delegate.

At a confronting session presented in the morning by senior Hillsong leadership comprising Joel A'Bell, Nick Caine, Darren Kitto and Hillsong London Senior Pastor Gary Clarke, delegates were informed about the international trafficking in people - usually women and children - and the devastating effect this had on the victims, and their families.

Delegates were told the UN estimates 27 million people are victims of trafficking, with many women from developing countries lured to the West with false promises of legitimate work, only to have their passports stolen once they arrive in the West, and then forced into prostitution.

The leaders of the session appealed to the conference attendees to give to fund a new home being established in Ukraine to rescue and rehabilitate women who have been victims of international trafficking.

Delegates responded generously to the appeal, and later in the day Senior Pastor Brian Houston announced that the budgeted cost of the house had been set at $160,000 and that this had been met. Delegates gave praise to God for moving their hearts to give this substantial amount.