Turning down any promotion or job offer that came his way, Russell loved his job. He also loved his wife Anne, and together they were founding members of their local church.

While Russell was never quoted in the newspaper, or had many opportunities to speak publicly of his beliefs, he has left a legacy – for his own three children and the thousands of young men he taught over the years. I know this to be true because Russell is my father.

During the many hours I spent driving to and from school with Dad, he taught me about life. And he taught me about the importance of using my voice to speak up on behalf of those who have no voice. His advice has helped to shape my life; first as a lawyer, then as a minister and now as CEO of World Vision Australia.

As Christians, our heavenly Father has left us this same legacy. History shows that the most successful social justice movements are those that are faith-based.

Faith gives ordinary people like you and me the courage to do extraordinary things. Over 200 years ago, the faith of William Wilberforce compelled him and others to start a movement to abolish the British slave trade.

Faith compelled Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church to risk their lives and speak out against Hitler’s atrocities. Faith inspired Martin Luther King and was central to the movement that finally brought apartheid in South Africa to an end.

For me, the thing that characterised these social movements is that they embodied hope. They went beyond just protesting. They offered an alternative that placed the dignity of each human being at the forefront.

On Abolitionist Sunday, 23 November, Christians across Australia will come together to raise awareness and take action against the injustice of human trafficking and slavery, which continues to affect millions in our world today. When people are exploited for profit, rather than being valued as children of God, as followers of Jesus we must model our lives on the example he set and use our voices to speak out.

This is our legacy.

To find out more about Abolitionist Sunday, visit worldvision.com.au/abolitionistsunday.