Compassion FirstVirtual Lantern Walk 2022

A 5K WALK FOR FREEDOM

Compassion First is calling all advocates for freedom to join together on July 30, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, in a Virtual 5k Lantern Walk for Freedom to create awareness and support for survivors of sex trafficking. Our lanterns will represent a world of advocates lighting the way for survivors, pursuing a future where she can pursue her dreams.

The symbol of the lantern finds its roots in Reverend John Rankin, who made the freedom of enslaved people his life and calling. With his house high on a hill and visible for miles, Rankin would raise a lantern when it was safe for escaping slaves to cross the Ohio River. Many people ascended the 540-foot staircase he had built to aid them to his home of refuge. It is suggested that none of those who stayed there were ever recaptured.

Throughout history, the lantern has represented freedom, safety, and hope. Together, we can light the way for more survivors to find a path to a bright new future.

Here’s What You Can Do:

Register as a Participant
- Your $45 registration fee includes a CF Lantern Walk 5k tee-shirt and lantern.
- Map your own course around your community on behalf of the brave and resilient survivors who are pursuing their dreams.
Host your own Lantern Walk Party
- Invite your friends and family to register, and then come together on July 30 for a backyard BBQ or game night, culminating in a Lantern Walk around your neighborhood.
Donate to the Cause
- From rescue to restoration, your generosity makes a way for a survivor to experience freedom in every step of her journey.

The Inspiration

This event was dreamed up by a young supporter of Compassion First, Madison Argyle, who wanted to use her 16th birthday to make an impact. Madison hosted a community Lantern Walk for Freedom in her Virginia neighborhood, raising awareness and funds for Compassion First.

Inspired by Madison, we are extending the impact by inviting you to join a Virtual 5k Lantern Walk on July 30. Together, we can light the way for more survivors to find a path to freedom.

Registration

Registration is STILL OPEN! We will do our best to get a Lantern Walk t-shirt and lantern to anyone who signs up after July 11. We appreciate your understanding that we cannot guarantee shirts to those who sign up from this point on. Please join us in walking for freedom from all across the world on July 30!

Register using the button below. You will be asked to select your t-shirt size. We can’t wait to have you join us on July 30th!

7/28 UPDATE: We have sold out of tee-shirts and lanterns. New registrations will not receive a packet in the mail.

Remember to charge your phone so you can take plenty of photos to share with the hashtag #CFLightTheWay on social media!

Host a Lantern Walk Party

Do you know a few friends who would love to join you for the 5k Lantern Walk for Freedom? Or maybe you have a nice backyard for barbecues, are looking for a reason to get the family together, or know your church would like to be involved.

Good news – you can invite your friends and family to register and come together on July 30 for a backyard BBQ or game night, culminating in a Lantern Walk around your neighborhood!

If you want to bring together people in your community for an in-person Lantern Walk, then we want to help you out. Fill out the simple form below to indicate that you would like to host an event, and we will send you all the resources you might need to map out a 5k, share about Compassion First, and more.

If you have questions about hosting a 5K Walk/Run, please email us at inquire@compassionfirst.org.

Virtual Lantern Walk Party Host

PRAY FOR FREEDOM

Please take action by watching the videos below and praying for the related prayer request. Whether or not you can participate in the Lantern Walk, your prayers are deeply valuable and impactful.

Prayer 1:

Watch: This video about the Compassion First care program.

Pray: For the thriving of the care program so that the courageous girls who live in Sarah’s and Grace Houses can step fully into the bright future that God has for them.

Prayer 2:

Watch: This video of Glory’s story of hope from the Compassion First care program.

Pray: For girls like Glory in the care program to continue to heal, discover their gifts and passions, and grow in self-worth and confidence until they can say, like Glory, “I know I am very precious in God’s eyes.”

Prayer 3:

Watch: This video about the Compassion First community development program in precious cemetery communities that are vulnerable to sex trafficking.

Pray: That the mothers, children, and families of the cemetery communities we have the privilege to work with would continue to be empowered and see themselves as beautiful through their interactions with Compassion First staff.

Prayer 4:

Watch: This video of Imel’s story from the community development program.

Pray: For women like Imel in the cemetery communities to continue to grow in recognizing their worth and in confidence as they pursue their realized dreams for them and their families.

Prayer 5:

Watch: This video of Minar’s story from the community development program.

Pray: For God’s abundant blessing of mothers like Minar and their families in the cemetery communities as they choose to pursue a different path than night work in the cemeteries, no matter how hard it may be.

Prayer 6:

Watch: This video about rescue and strategic collaboration with Indonesian law enforcement.

Pray: For continued growth in Compassion First’s relationships with Indonesian law enforcement and authorities so that systemic prevention of sex trafficking and rescue of those who have been trafficked can improve.

Prayer 7:

Watch: This video of Sarah’s House residents singing a worship song written by a girl who went through the Compassion First aftercare program.

Pray: As you participate in your Lantern Walk, please pray with us for the amazing girls in the CF care program, the beautiful friends we serve in the cemetery communities through the community development program, the incredible staff who walk with them everyday, and the CF ministry partners and authorities we serve alongside both in Indonesia and here in the United States (learn about our stateside partners here: Safety Compass and Hannah Grace Family).

Donate to the Cause

From rescue to restoration, your generosity makes a way for a survivor to experience freedom in every step of her journey. Thank you for coming alongside each of the amazing girls, children, and women we serve and for supporting their dreams through your generosity. We are so grateful to be doing this work with you!

Donate