Lauran Bethell

Lauran Bethell
Church American Baptist Churches USA
Title The Reverend Doctor

Lauran Bethell is an American Baptist missionary[1] and human rights advocate residing in Eastern Europe.[2] She is one of the founders of Chiang Mai, Thailand's New Life Center in which former prostitutes or sex trafficking victims are provided with Christian education aimed at making them literate and employable.[3] She holds the position of Global Consultant with American Baptist International Ministries.[4]

She believes that prostituted children can recover from their abuse and said that those who suggest otherwise are "not giving enough credit to the power of the human spirit."[5]

Bethell spoke at the pre-conference to the Baptist World Centenary Congress in July 2004.[6]

In 2005,[7] she received the Baptist World Alliance Human Rights Award.[8]

In November 2006, Bethell spoke at an evening gathering in Orlando, Florida in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Baptist Churches USA.[9] In March 2009, Bethell spoke at a conference called "STOP Sex Trafficking: A Call to End 21st Century Slavery" at Mercer University.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Greg Barrett (2008). The Gospel of Father Joe: Revolutions and Revelations in the Slums of Bangkok. John Wiley & Sons. p. 270. ISBN 0470328037.
  2. ↑ David Roach (June 20, 2008). "CBF focuses on prayer, women's ordination". Baptist Press. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Baptists work internationally to assist women trapped by sex trade". Ekklesia. February 3, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  4. ↑ Andy Jayne (February 1, 2008). "Lauran Bethell Speaks About Sexual Exploitation At The New Baptist Covenant". Worldwide Faith News. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  5. ↑ Thomas M. Steinfatt (2002). Working at the Bar: Sex Work and Health Communication in Thailand. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 266. ISBN 156750566X.
  6. ↑ Pauline J. Chang (September 18, 2004). "BWA Plans Pre-Congress Conference on Evangelism". The Christian Post. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  7. ↑ Andy Jayne (May 10, 2006). ""Living Hope" Inspires Attendees to Action". Worldwide Faith News. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  8. ↑ Karen Bullock (2008). Leon McBeth, Michael Edward Williams, Walter B. Shurden, ed. "Baptists and Women and the Turn toward Gender Inclusion". Turning Points in Baptist History: A Festschrift in Honor of Harry Leon McBeth (Mercer University Press): 210. ISBN 0881461350.
  9. ↑ Andy Jayne (November 17, 2006). "Board Hears Plans For American Baptist Biennial/Centenial". Worldwide Faith News. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Mercer University hosts conference on sex trafficking". The Daily Citizen. March 18, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2013.