Aunty Jean Phillips, Billy Williams and Graham Paulson

Friday night the 14th of May saw history in the making. For only the second time in the Baptist Church in Queensland (the 5th in Australia), an Indigenous man was ordained into ministry. Congratulations to our good friend, Billy Williams of Jisas Wantaim.

It was particularly powerful and meaningful to have the first Indigenous ordained Baptist Pastor in Graham Paulson present along with long time campaigner and advocate for Aboriginal ministries, Aunty Jean Phillips (see photo).

Billy is married to Vicki and they have 3 children – they currently live and minister in Brisbane, Queensland. Billy is originally from the Kamilaroi people of North-western New South Wales and he now helps lead Jisas Wantaim, an organisation that seeks to equip, empower and enable a network of Indigenous ministries. For more info check out: www.jisaswantaim.org.au

This tour is about raising a conversation about human trafficking and prostitution in Australia. Award winning journalist and international speaker, Victor is going to present what he has discovered in his research and what several of us have discovered in our brothel visits, and what the UN has also declared – that prostitution is connected to trafficking. No matter how you slice it. So, the question we want to get to is ‘what can we do about it?’ What are the ways that the Australian public/society can combat human trafficking? That’s the stuff we are after. Check out THIS LINK for his schedule. And take an event or two in. It’s bound to be informative and confronting. Maybe even enough to cause some action! It’s the best kind of free speech.