Ben Cooley was just 26 years old when he booked Birmingham's NEC Arena. He didn't have the first idea about putting on a major event. He didn't have a strategy, he didn't have the funds. But he did a have vision; a vision to live in a world free from slavery. This is a story of passion turned into action. In this book Ben shares the journey of Hope for Justice, from one man with a wobbly desk to an international organisation now rescuing victims in the UK, US, Cambodia and Norway. Featuring real-life rescues and the voices of Rend Collective's Patrick Thompson, Rob and Marion White, actor Tom Lister, Athena Pond and many others involved in the story so far, this book is about more than fighting slavery. Impossible is a Dare is a challenge. What are you passionate about? What would you like to build or break or change? This book will inspire all readers to find and fight for their own vision and see the impossible for what it really is; nothing but a dare.

Ben Cooley

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter one

Waiting for Sarah

Stories to share

Chapter two

Khalianna's story

Passion and purpose

Another side to the story Rob and Marion White, co-founders of Hope for Justice

Chapter three

Tobias and Elena's story

Gathering momentum

Another side to the story Tim Nelson, International Development Director, Hope for Justice

Chapter four

Amaya's story

Welcome to Mumbai

Another side to the story Peter Stanley, former Strategy Director at Stop the Traffik

Chapter five

Jared's story

Taking the stand

Another side to the story Patrick Thompson, Rend Collective

Chapter six

Magdalene's story

What now?

Another side to the story Jeremy Alford, former Hope for Justice Director of Operations

Chapter seven

Lucas's story

Structure, strategy, sustainability

Another side to the story Philippa roberts, solicitor and legal director, hope for justice

Chapter eight

Zoe's story

Zoe's challenge

Another side to the story Tom Lister, actor and Hope for Justice Ambassador

Chapter nine

William and Samuel's story

Family matters

Another side to the story Deb Cooley, co-founder of Hope for Justice

Chapter ten

Ma Ni's story

Better together

Natalie's story Natalie Grant, singer, songwriter and co-founder of Hope for Justice (Intl.)

Another side to the story Athena Pond, International Programme Operations Director and co-founder of Hope for Justice (intl.)

Chapter eleven

Elita's story

We don't have time

Another side to the story Elita, victim of human trafficking and rescuee of Hope for Justice

Epilogue

Ben Cooley was just 26 years old when he booked Birmingham’s NEC Arena. He didn’t have the first idea about putting on a major event. He didn’t have a strategy, he didn’t have the funds. But he did a have vision; a vision to live in a world free from slavery.   
  
This is a story of passion turned into action.   
  
In this book Ben shares the journey of Hope for Justice, from one man with a wobbly desk to an international organisation now rescuing victims in the UK, US, Cambodia and Norway. Featuring real-life rescues and the voices of Rend Collective’s Patrick Thompson, Rob and Marion White, actor Tom Lister, Athena Pond and many others involved in the story so far, this book is about more than fighting slavery.   
  
Impossible is a Dare is a challenge.   
  
What are you passionate about? What would you like to build or break or change? This book will inspire all readers to find and fight for their own vision and see the impossible for what it really is; nothing but a dare.

Impossible is a Dare tells the inspiring story of Ben Cooley, Hope for Justice and their fight to see the end of modern day slavery. Impossible is a Dare is also a challenge for readers to find their passion and turn it into action, and see the 'impossible' for what it really is; nothing but a dare.

Author has a great platform, speaking across the UK and previously touring with Rend Collective and Jesus Culture in the US. Demonstrates freedom from slavery, a central theme of the Bible, in action; inspiring the Church and individuals alike to join God is His mission to set all captives free. Author is CEO of Hope for Justice, which now has six offices worldwide. Heavily story-driven content, with break-out text boxes featuring Natalie Grant, co-founder of Hope for Justice International, as well as Rend Collective and other endorsers of the HFJ story. Potential endorsements from Rend Collective, Jesus Culture, Teresa May, Justin Welby, Pete Wilson (Senior Pastor, Cross Point Church, Nashville TN), John and Ele Mumford. Popular level title written for those of all faiths and none, which will implicitly show the Word in action.

Manchester-based Ben Cooley is CEO of Hope for Justice, an organisation with a practical approach to ending slavery. Since HFJ was established in 2008, Ben has overseen its growth to six offices on three continents. HFJ - now consisting of Abolition International (Nashville, US), Transitions Global (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) and HFJ UK (Manchester, UK) - works in partnership with law enforcement and pioneering model anti-trafficking programmes in the UK, US, Cambodia and Norway. Ben is a gifted speaker and has previously toured with Rend Collective and Jesus Culture in the USA. He and his family live in the UK.

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter One

- Waiting for Sarah
- Stories to Share

Chapter Two

- Khalianna's Story
- Passion and Purpose
- Another Side to the Story; Rob and Marion White, co-founders of Hope for Justice

Chapter Three

- Tobias and Elena's Story
- Gathering Momentum
- Another Side to the Story; Tim Nelson, International Development Director, Hope for Justice

Chapter Four

- Welcome to Mumbai
- Another Side to the Story; Peter Stanley, former Strategy Director at Stop the Traffik

Chapter Five

- Jared's Story
- Taking the Stand
- Another Side to the Story; Patrick Thompson, Rend Collective

Chapter Six

- Magdalene's Story
- What Now?
- Another Side to the Story; Jeremy Alford, former Hope for Justice Director or Operations

Chapter Seven

- Lucas's Story
- Structure, Strategy, Sustainability
- Another Side to the Story; Philippa Roberts, solicitor and Legal Director, Hope for Justice

Chapter Eight

- Zoe's Story
- Zoe's Challenge
- Another Side to the Story; Tom Lister, actor and Hope for Justice Advocate

Chapter Nine

- William and Samuel's Story
- Family Matters
- Another Side the Story; Deb Cooley, co-founder of Hope for Justice

Chapter Ten

- Ma Ni's Story
- Better Together
- Natalie's Story; Natalie Grant, singer, songwriter and co-founder of Hope for Justice (Intl).
- Another Side to the Story; Athena Pond, International Programme Operations Director and co-founder of Hope for Justice (Intl).

Chapter Eleven

- Elita's Story
- We Don't Have the Time
- Another Side to the Story; Elita, victim of human trafficking and rescuee of Hope for Justice

Epilogue

'Hope for Justice truly are modern day abolitionists.' - Stephen Fry

'I would recommend this book to all who are looking to do the impossible with their lives in whatever way God is calling and to take up the dare as Ben did; the world needs you!' - Tim Hughes, Worship Central

'You will be stirred in your spirit and moved to action not only by Ben's personality, which comes through every page of the book, but also by the stories he tells' - Ken Costa

'Hope for Justice is doing incredibly brave and life-saving work' - Bear Grylls

A remarkable, modern-day fight for justice, discover what happens when a heart for the hopeless overcomes challenges that seemed impossible.

Working for SPCK, the UK's leading and largest Christian publisher, means I get to read alot of books. Some of them are brilliant. Some are average. Some are awful. Some, though, make you sit up, read them at the weekend, and think about ways of recommending them. Impossible is a Dare, by Ben Cooley, is one of the latter.

This is a book that is brilliant for two reasons. First, and foremost, it is a brilliant story. The short history and brilliant work of Hope for Justice, of which Ben Cooley is one of the co-founders, is authentically and honestly told. Secondly, as I've previously blogged, this is a book with a message that the world needs to hear. That message, hidden in plain sight in the title, is not an unthinking triumphalism. The way that Ben works his passion out is inspiring - not least as he carefully unpacks the importance of policy and oversight, strategy and vision, as well as the 'exciting' stuff. This is a book, then, about worship, the kind of worship God wants, with eyes fully fixed on the future and hands and feet fully engaged in the present.

This book isn't for everyone. This is a difficult book to read, because of the subject matter. Ben focuses, as he has focused his life, mission and ministry, on the subject of modern-day slavery. This book is peppered with stories of brutality. Some end well. Others don't. This is a book about justice in all its gory detail, not for armchair horror fans, but for those of us willing to really engage. The book ends with an invitation to join Ben and Hope for Justice in ending slavery. Ben's fast paced writing style, inescapable enthusiasm and passion, not to mention the way he models even in the writing of the book the kind of leadership he suggests, mean that this is a book that I found very hard to put down.

This book is one of few I've read where the character of the author is both fundamental and not as distracting as you'd think. In some books - like Journeys in Grace and Truth, for example - the presence of the editor or author is overwhelming, distracting, and ultimately infuriating. In this book, despite Ben clearly being larger than life (google him, or follow him on Instagram, if you need evidence) he is careful not to get in the way of what he's saying, and also to radically give the stage over to other people too. The book is peppered with stories told from other people's perspective. Some of them are refreshingly honest about the main authors failings. This is a warts and all book, and it is better for it.

The core message of this book is anti-slavery. The secondary message is two fold - firstly, that what seems impossible might not be, and Ben dares you to give it a go - and secondly, that leadership is in need of some serious subversion. The language of Impossible is a Dare resonated with me - I'll write a little blog post about it soon. The stuff on leadership in this book is also brilliant. Ben is advocating and modelling an open form of leadership, which empowers people and recognises the weakness of individuals. A lot of his God stories are about Ben's weakness, and there are some chuckle-worthy moments as God places the people Ben needs on his path.

In closing, then, this is a brilliant little book. Buy and read it because it is inspirational and harrowing on the challenge of human trafficking and modern day slavery. Buy it and read it if you've ever been told your dream is impossible. Buy it if, like me, you find the language and practice/culture of leadership that you find in the world (And often infecting the Church) to be missing something.  
  
Go on, I dare you.

\["Want to learn about the work of Christians the world over?","Impossible is a Dare tells of Hope for Justice, and their remarkable fight against slavery","Inspiring and rousing, you'll be moved by these true stories of justice and freedom"\]

For Ben Cooley, impossible isn't a wall, but merely a hurdle.

As the co-founder and CEO of Hope for Justice, Ben Cooley found himself booking out Birmingham's NEC Arena for a major event. 26 at the time, that didn't stop him for pursuing his passion for helping end human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

This book is another step on that journey.

Impossible is a Dare brings real voices and stories to light. It shows not only the devastating effects of human slavery - it also the voices of hope that are working to end it. It's a story of helping those who have escaped from human trafficking.

The story of Hope for Justice is an inspiring one, and a rebellion against the impossible. It shows what happens when a heart for justice goes beyond words, and is turned into actions.

Unapologetic, unflinching, and uncompromising. Impossible is a Dare is the next step in the fight against slavery. It giving a voice to the voiceless, and champions what can be done, what has been done, and what you can do today!

Impossible is a Dare

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