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Unbelievable Reality: Zach Hunter, 15, is a modern-day abolitionist. The Atlanta teen has been fighting to free slaves around the world since he was 12. "We were studying slavery in school," he says. "I told my mom if I was alive back then, I would have done something about it." Zach was shocked when his mom told him that slavery still exists. "That's when I knew I had to do something," he says.

Zach started praying, studying and researching about slavery around the world. "When I discovered there are more slaves today than during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, I couldn't believe it," he says. "My heart hurt for these 27 million kids and adults."

Looking for History Makers: After seeing the full picture of modern-day slavery, Zach felt led to launch a campaign he called "Loose Change to Loosen Chains" (LC2LC). He began speaking at schools, churches and other organizations to raise both money and teen awareness.

"I wanted kids my age to get on board to help," he says. "I want us to make history—and I don't mean to get our names in some history book, but to be known as a generation that did something for God, cared for the poor, and totally stopped slavery."

In its first year, LC2LC raised $8,500 to donate to the International Justice Mission's work fighting the slave trade.

Amazing Opportunities: Zach's opportunities to spread his message really took off when his mom was hired by the movie company Walden Media. The company was just beginning to promote Amazing Grace, a film about Christian abolitionist William Wilberforce (coming soon to DVD). The company asked Zach's mom to find a teen to help with their national campaign. Walden wanted someone who had a real passion about ending slavery. She couldn't wait to tell Zach. "I was totally psyched," he says.

After an extensive interview at Walden, he became the global student spokesperson for The Amazing Change, an anti-slavery campaign launched in conjunction with Amazing Grace. And then, Zach was hired to write the book Be the Change: Your Guide to Freeing Slaves and Changing the World in Other Ways (Zondervan).

In the last year and a half, Zach has taken his passionate message to conferences and music festivals across the country, speaking to more than half a million people. His campaign has also received major media attention from national outlets including Good Morning America and Newsweek.

"This all happened so fast. And none of this would be possible without Jesus Christ," he says. "He set me free, so I want to help others find that same freedom."

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Ignite Your Faith magazine.
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