Conventioneers received an in-your-face pep talk Sunday from the founder of an anti-sex-trafficking ministry, who encouraged them to be bold in doing ministry.

Christine Caine, who founded A21 (A21Campaign.org) in 2008 to bring justice to victims of slavery and degradation of mostly women and children, was the keynote speaker during the “Stores as Ministry Connectors” General Session.

Caine, who talked fast and darted back and forth on stage, focused on the theme of ICRS: Isaiah 61:1, which says “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

“I wouldn't be standing here today if it wasn't for a Christian bookstore,” said Caine, whose book Undaunted will be released by Zondervan in August. “It was books in a Christian bookstore that helped me from 12 years of abuse [growing up]. … I had access to resources that helped set me free. God used the books to deliver me.”

Caine also challenged the audience to get out of their comfort zone and get involved in social justice, which attracts the younger generation.

“This generation is very cause-focused,” she said. “They don't want faith without works. They don't want to escape from this world and into a Christian bubble.”

Amaryllis Sanchez Wohlever, a new author who was attending her first ICRS, said that she was “deeply touched” by Caine's perspective, vision and sense of mission.” “She gave a face to Christ's mission prophesied in Isaiah 61, which rekindled something deep within me of God's calling on my life,” said Whohlever, who is also a medical doctor in Oviedo, Fla.

Scott Edwards, CEO of Care& Share Products in Australia, said he was convicted by Caine's talk.

“If the church responds to the message God is speaking though Christine’s story, the world will not be the same for the next generation,” he said. “They will see the our God for who He truly is. If the Christian resource industry responds to the message God is speaking through Christine’s story, we will partner in the discipleship of the next generation.”

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