Q: Does the International Justice Mission (IJM) have short term "field" opportunities - or is the level of specialization too high?

A: Yes, we have 6-12 month internships and post-graduate fellowships in our 14 field offices. The internships do not necessarily require specialized skill. The post-graduate fellowships are for those who have acquired specialized skills and training. To learn more, go to www.ijm.org/internships

Q: How is the gospel shared during the long-term recovery of freed slaves?

A: First and foremost, IJM's witness is through our actions. As you might imagine, rescuing people from oppression is a remarkable statement about their value in the eyes of God. We had one Muslim father amazed that we as Christians would be willing to rescue his daughter from illegal detention. It changed his view of Christianity. In terms of aftercare, we partner with various local service providers - many of whom are Christian. These agencies are positioned to effectively share the faith since they have a long term relationship with the rescued clients.

Q: Does the work of IJM resemble vigilante operations?

A: This is an important distinction. IJM is seeking to establish rule of law. In the countries where IJM does casework, the laws are often good but there is little enforcement of the laws. As a result, we work with local authorities to implement the law. It would be counter-productive to break the law in order to rescue the oppressed. It might have short term benefits, but it is not a long term solution that would help restore broken justice systems. We work with local authorities by providing training for judges, prosecutors, police officers, etc. We also provide hands-on training with local authorities by working together on individual cases of abuse.

- Gary and the IJM Team