Welcome, friend. Whether you’ve been following Beyond Salvation for a while or you just landed here for the first time, it’s no accident you’re reading these words today. This space has always been about real faith, honest conversations, and wrestling with what it means to follow Jesus in a broken world.
But today marks a shift. A return, really, to what we’ve always been called to do.
Coming Home to Our Calling
If you’ve been reading Beyond Salvation over the past months, you know we’ve explored prophecy, church issues, spiritual growth, and the challenges of modern Christian life. These conversations mattered, and they’ll continue to be part of who we are. But there’s been something stirring in my spirit, a persistent whisper I can no longer ignore.
God has a main mission for Beyond Salvation. It’s written in Isaiah 61:1-3:
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion – to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.”
This isn’t just a beautiful passage. It’s our blueprint. It’s the heart of what Beyond Salvation was always meant to be about: freedom for the captive, healing for the broken, and beauty rising from ashes.
So here’s what’s changing: we’re shifting our primary focus to the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking, while standing with persecuted Christians around the world, particularly in Nigeria. This is our main mission. This is the calling we’re leaning into with everything we have.
The Reality We Can’t Ignore
Let me be blunt about something most Christians would rather not think about: more people are enslaved right now, in 2025, than at any other point in human history. Over 50 million men, women, and children are trapped in forced labor, sexual exploitation, or domestic servitude. Every 30 seconds, someone becomes a victim of trafficking.
Read that again. Every. Thirty. Seconds.
These aren’t just statistics I’m throwing at you to make a point. These are image bearers of God. These are people with names, dreams, families, stories. These are the ones Jesus called “the least of these.” And if we claim to follow Jesus while remaining comfortable in our ignorance of their suffering, we need to seriously examine what kind of faith we’re actually practicing.
The Bible is unambiguous about this. Proverbs 31:8-9 commands us: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Notice it doesn’t say “if you feel like it” or “when it’s convenient.” It says open your mouth. Speak up. Act.
Our Partnership with A21
Here’s how we’re doing this practically: Beyond Salvation is partnering with A21, a global anti-trafficking organization that’s actually making a difference on the ground. They’re not just talking about the problem; they’re rescuing victims, prosecuting traffickers, and providing long-term restoration for survivors.
Throughout this year, you’ll see us regularly linking to A21’s work and their donation pages. But let me be clear about something: this isn’t about me trying to hit some fundraising goal or make myself feel good. This is about connecting you to an organization that’s legitimately changing lives, and giving you a way to be part of something far bigger than yourself.
Every post will include clear ways to support A21’s Freedom Campaign. But more than your money, what I’m asking for is your attention, your prayers, and your willingness to let this reality reshape how you think about faith and action.
Why This Matters for Believers
As Christians, we love to talk about spiritual freedom. We sing songs about chains being broken and captives being freed. We preach about liberation from sin and the bondage of shame. All of that is true and important.
But here’s what bothers me: we’re often more passionate about metaphorical chains than actual ones. We’re quick to claim spiritual victory while remaining silent about the physical slavery happening in our world right now.
Jesus read from Isaiah 61 at the beginning of His ministry and declared, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” He was announcing that the kingdom of God brings both spiritual AND physical freedom. You can’t separate them. The gospel that saves souls also demands justice for the oppressed.
When we ignore human trafficking, we’re not just being politically neutral. We’re failing to reflect the heart of God. We’re choosing comfort over compassion. We’re settling for a faith that makes us feel good without demanding we actually do good.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of that kind of Christianity.
What’s Different Now
Starting today, Beyond Salvation’s primary content focus shifts to two interconnected crises:
Human trafficking and modern slavery. We’ll explore what trafficking actually looks like in 2025, debunk the myths that keep us ignorant, share survivor stories, examine the systems that enable exploitation, and provide practical ways you can fight back.
Christian persecution in Nigeria. We’ll shine light on the violence targeting Nigerian Christians, the terrorist groups destroying communities, the intersection between persecution and trafficking, and how we can support our brothers and sisters facing unimaginable suffering.
Does this mean we’ll never write about other topics? No. Beyond Salvation will still be a place for honest conversations about faith, culture, prophecy, and Christian life. But these two issues will be our north star, the lens through which we view everything else.
What You Can Expect
Here’s my promise to you: I will not sugarcoat the darkness. Human trafficking is horrific. Christian persecution is brutal. I won’t minimize that reality to make you comfortable.
But I also won’t leave you drowning in despair. Every post will include hope, because our God specializes in bringing beauty from ashes. Every post will include action steps, because awareness without action is just well-informed apathy.
You’ll get:
- Deep dives into what modern slavery actually looks like
- Survivor testimonies that will wreck and rebuild you
- Biblical frameworks for understanding justice and mercy
- Practical ways to make a difference right now
- Prayer guides for interceding on behalf of the oppressed
- Connections to organizations doing legitimate work
- Challenge to examine how we’re living out our faith
The Uncomfortable Truth
Let me tell you something that might sting: most Christians don’t actually want to know about human trafficking. It’s too dark, too disturbing, too far removed from our comfortable lives. It’s easier to focus on worship experiences and personal spiritual growth than to confront the reality of children being sold for sex or families being enslaved in forced labor.
But comfort is not the calling. Jesus didn’t promise us comfort. He promised us His presence, His purpose, and the costly privilege of being part of His redemptive work in the world.
If reading about trafficking makes you uncomfortable, good. That discomfort is the beginning of transformation. That’s the Holy Spirit refusing to let you look away. That’s God inviting you into something bigger than yourself.
The question is: will you lean into that discomfort, or will you close this tab and go back to content that doesn’t challenge you?
Your Invitation
I’m not asking you to become a full-time activist or quit your job to fight trafficking. I’m asking you to pay attention. To pray. To care. To let this reality reshape your priorities and your wallet.
Over the coming weeks and months, you’ll learn things that will change you. You’ll read stories that will make you weep and then make you rise up. You’ll discover that ordinary people, powered by extraordinary faith, can actually make a difference.
Here’s what I need from you right now:
First, commit to learning.
Don’t look away when the truth gets hard. Stay engaged even when it hurts.
Second, commit to praying.
This is spiritual warfare as much as it is social justice. We need to be on our knees as much as we’re on our feet.
Third, commit to acting.
Whether it’s donating, sharing posts, supporting survivors, or changing how you shop, do something. Faith without works is dead.
The Road Ahead
This journey we’re starting won’t always be easy. Some posts will disturb you. Some stories will break your heart. Some truths will challenge everything you thought you knew about faith and justice.
But I believe with everything in me that this is where God is calling Beyond Salvation. This is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61 in our generation. This is how we participate in God’s kingdom breaking into our world.
So welcome to the new chapter. Welcome to the main mission. Welcome to the fight for freedom.
Because at the end of the day, faith that doesn’t free the captive isn’t really faith at all.
Ready to start? Learn more about A21’s Freedom Campaign, and commit to praying with us this week. Your next step matters more than you know.
This is just the beginning. Share this post if you’re in. Leave a comment and tell me what brought you here today. Let’s do this together.
John Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations.
