This summer, the National Coalition is introducing p.u.r.e.JUSTICE, an initiative calling the Christian community to take individual and collective action against the evils of sex trafficking, prostitution, and pornography.  A core component of the initiative is a ten-week internship program for college students based at the National Coalition’s Cincinnati headquarters, during which the interns have the opportunity to meet with anti-trafficking activists across the country, research the facts surrounding the commercial sex industry, and study the biblical call to seek justice while pursuing purity of mind, body, and soul.

On July 16 and 17, the p.u.r.e.JUSTICE interns and Noel Bouché, the program director, traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss the interrelationship of sex trafficking and our sexualized culture with leaders in the anti-trafficking movement.  During those two days, the interns participated in meetings on Capitol Hill with policy advisors to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA).  The interns also met with representatives of Polaris Project, The Renewal Forum, the International Justice Mission, Shared Hope International, and World Hope International.            

The 2009 p.u.r.e.JUSTICE interns include Junia Howell (Wheaton College), Emily Kraft (Cedarville University), and Craig Welkener (Texas A&M University).   Said Welkener of the trip to Washington: “Meeting with key leaders in this realm was extremely beneficial, not just from a professional development standpoint, but also because it highlighted the need nationally for a program like p.u.r.e.JUSTICE.  It was an amazing experience.”

“I could not be more thankful for the doors God is opening to us on this issue, nor could I be more pleased with how Emily, Junia, and Craig represented the National Coalition,” Noel Bouché said.  “These three had a world-class experience on Capitol Hill and throughout the D.C. area, and they showed themselves to be world-class leaders of their generation.”