As a young man, David Peterka established a ministry named “When the Saints,” as from the song “When the saints go marching in!” A visit to their website, www.whenthesaints.com, explains more.
“A Missouri native, David Peterka, founded the non-profit organization “When The Saints” in November 2011. David’s passion is to bring awareness to the issues of extreme poverty and social injustices around the world, and to help teach churches the roles they can play to combat it…”
David’s brief personal story and picture can be seen by clicking on www.whenthesaints.com/about/founder. Notice the “hitchhiking chameleon” in his hair!. (My wife says he is “cute!” But who could argue with that?)
But his purpose in life is very focused and serious. From the website:
“’When the Saints’ is a non-profit whose heart is to offer healing and new life through Jesus to those enslaved by sexual exploitation, that both oppressor and oppressed will be free…
[He is] also a child advocate through Compassion International helping children find sponsors. Although David is in his late twenties, he has extensive “hands-on” experience and has been an advocate for social injustice issues for nearly a decade. In the fall of 2011 he graduated from St. Louis Christian College with a Christian Ministries degree and emphasized Intercultural and Urban missions …“
Having established a rather new home for girls sexually exploited in Malawi, Africa …”Our focus is on those forced into Prostitution and sexually exploited in Malawi, SE Africa. … We envision a Malawi that is free from sexual exploitation and ruled by the transforming love of Jesus. Through discipleship and encounters with truth, men are set free from the shame of oppression and empowered with healing and purity. Through discipleship, counseling, and career training, women are set free to heal and provide for themselves with dignity. We support Malawians to build a culture and economy that is fueled by freedom and truth.
We believe one of the greatest joys of the church is the opportunity to individually participate in what God is doing among us. It may not be feasible for every believer to become an overseas mission-worker, but we strongly believe that it is essential for all believers to be missional! …
David’s background includes widespread traveling and mission work throughout poverty stricken areas around the globe. All his travels are for research and first-hand knowledge of the difficulties and challenges as well as the joy and contentment that poverty ironically brings. … [he is] currently leading a self-developed small group curriculum in his home teaching how to biblically fight injustice and poverty. This will become the guide to help small churches find their role in defending those who are exploited.
He also feeds the homeless on a semi-regular basis in the streets of downtown St. Louis and has been doing this for over three years. …
He is the assistant producer of a documentary called “What Matters?” which focuses on the average Americans role toward poverty around the world….
In January of 2013 he had the privilege of traveling to Nicaragua to visit a home that promotes healing for girls who have been sexually abused. He was also able to lead a youth class on sexual purity… [He]went through a 10 week missionary training program in Mozambique during the summer of 2013. … Also in the summer of 2013, David traveled to Cambodia for 3 weeks where he researched a few different ministries that had safe homes already established in order to learn everything he could in preparation of the WtS safe home…. In the fall of 2013, David got an opportunity to travel to a pastor conference in Haiti and lead a class on Sexual Purity.”
Related anytime radio: To hear … “Pat Bradley (3) began www.crisisaid.org, delivered 100+ girls from sex trafficking, 600 worldwide!” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/content/view/812/5/