Family
From 9/11 Survivor to Warrior Against Modern-Day Slavery
Faith Facts
- A survivor of the 9/11 attacks arrived in America in 2001 with only $50 and two suitcases, searching for purpose
- The tragedy became a turning point that eventually led to a divine calling to fight human trafficking
- A cry for help from a trafficking victim revealed God’s purpose for his survival
When the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, one man’s brush with death would become the beginning of an extraordinary journey of faith and purpose. Having arrived in America just months earlier with nothing but hope and determination, he had no idea that surviving one of history’s darkest days would set him on a path to rescue others from darkness.
The survivor recalls arriving on American soil with modest means — just $50 in his pocket and two suitcases containing all his worldly possessions. He came with dreams like so many immigrants before him, but without a clear sense of calling or direction for his life.
“When I arrived in America in 2001 with $50 and two suitcases, I had dreams — but no sense of purpose.”
Then came September 11th. The attacks that shook our nation and took nearly 3,000 innocent lives also marked a turning point in his own story. The trauma and survival would plant seeds that wouldn’t fully bloom for years to come.
“Then 9/11 changed everything, and it would take years, and a cry for help from a trafficking victim, before I understood why I survived.”
In the years following that fateful day, he searched for meaning in his survival. Why had God spared him when so many perished? The answer wouldn’t come immediately, but when it did, it arrived with unmistakable clarity.
The moment of revelation came through the desperate plea of a human trafficking victim. In that cry for help, he finally understood the divine purpose behind his survival — he was meant to be a voice for the voiceless and a defender of the vulnerable.
Human trafficking remains one of the darkest sins plaguing our modern world, with millions trapped in various forms of slavery. It’s an evil that Christians are called to confront, standing firm on biblical principles that affirm the dignity and worth of every human life created in God’s image.
This survivor’s transformation from a man without purpose to a warrior against human trafficking exemplifies how God can redeem even our most traumatic experiences. His story serves as a powerful reminder that our trials often prepare us for our true calling.
The fight against human trafficking requires courage, commitment, and compassion — qualities forged in the fires of adversity. For this 9/11 survivor, those qualities were born from ashes and refined through years of searching for meaning.
His journey demonstrates a fundamental truth that resonates with Christian values: no experience is wasted in God’s economy. Every hardship can become a tool for His purpose, and every survival story can inspire others to action.
As Americans who cherish freedom and human dignity, we must join the fight against modern slavery in all its forms. Whether through prayer, advocacy, or direct action, we each have a role to play in protecting the vulnerable and pursuing justice.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Children raised in stable two-parent married households are statistically more likely to succeed in life
- The Institute for Family Studies found marriages concentrated in wealthier predominantly white suburbs
- Many urban predominantly black neighborhoods have become what researchers call “marriage deserts”
Despite extensive research showing that children raised in stable, two-parent married households are statistically more likely to succeed, a new report from the Institute for Family Studies found that marriages are concentrated in wealthier, predominantly white suburbs but are so scarce in many urban, often predominantly black neighborhoods that researchers have dubbed them “marriage deserts.”
Marriage is one of the most important institutions for passing on faith, values, and stability to the next generation. The findings highlight how traditional family structures remain stronger in communities that uphold these principles.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- God commands His people to “be fruitful and multiply” as a foundational instruction for human flourishing.
- Britain’s collapsing birth rate threatens the future of families and the strength of the nation.
- Churches are called to support young families and restore a culture that values children as blessings from God.
God tells us to “be fruitful and multiply”, yet birth rates are falling and starting a family is becoming increasingly difficult for many people.
Lois McLatchie-Miller explains why she believes the Church has a vital role to play in helping families flourish.
Christian families are facing mounting pressures that make raising children feel overwhelming. Economic uncertainty, housing costs, and shifting cultural attitudes all contribute to delayed marriage and fewer births.
The decline in birth rates is not just a statistic. It reflects a deeper spiritual and cultural crisis that affects the future of the Church and the nation.
“The Church has a vital role to play in helping families flourish.”
When families struggle, the ripple effects reach every corner of society. Strong churches and communities depend on the next generation being raised in faith and values.
Christian teaching offers a countercultural message that children are blessings rather than burdens. This perspective encourages couples to embrace the gift of life even amid challenges.
“God tells us to be fruitful and multiply.”
Local congregations can provide practical support through mentoring, childcare assistance, and encouragement for young parents. Such efforts strengthen both families and the witness of the Church.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Clyde and Gwen Antwine celebrated 70 years of marriage rooted in Christian service and missionary work across Europe and the United States.
- The couple met at a youth camp in Texas and built their relationship on shared faith, mission trips, and a commitment to mentoring young Christians.
- They helped establish a healthy church in Zurich, Switzerland, and continued to serve faithfully at Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma.
The Antwines first met as teenagers at a two-week encampment at Abilene Christian University. Clyde was 15 years old and sold his FFA prize-winning steer for $40 to attend. That is where he first saw Gwen, then 14, and asked to take her picture.
He carried that photograph in his wallet for five years before they reunited at Abilene Christian during his sophomore year. They married six months later.
“The last day of camp, I worked up the courage to ask her if I could take her picture, and she posed. And I put that picture in my wallet. I didn’t even know her name. I just knew she was pretty.”
After Clyde graduated, the couple boarded a boat for Europe in 1959. They served seven years in Zurich, helping to strengthen a young congregation of the Church of Christ. Their work laid a foundation that still bears fruit today.
Later the Antwines served in the German cities of Augsburg and Munich. After nearly two decades overseas, they returned to the United States. Clyde became missionary in residence at Oklahoma Christian University while Gwen served as office manager for The Christian Chronicle.
“Gwen would get you laughing and see the positive side when things got tough, and Clyde, in his quiet voice, would somehow say the exact words you needed to hear to keep you spiritually grounded.”
Their legacy continues through the many students they mentored for mission work. The Antwines never sought recognition. Their only goal was to prepare others for Kingdom service.
Today, Clyde still carries that original photograph of Gwen from their teenage years. Their story stands as a clear testimony of enduring love, steadfast faith, and lifelong commitment to the Lord’s work.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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