Five years ago, Stephen Christian, lead singer of the bands Anberlin and Anchor & Braille, had an idea.

What started as a church mission trip to Haiti turned into a group of concerned musicians and managers on a journey to discover how to use their musical platform to make a difference in the world. On this trip, Faceless International was born.

“We started Faceless because we saw that lives could be changed; and not just those we came to serve, but of those who served,” says Stephen. “I felt so strongly that with the platform and responsibility I had been entrusted with, I had to utilize it to make a positive impact on those around me and the world I live in.”

As soon as the bands returned home, their fans naturally gravitated to the causes they were championing, specifically poverty reform, human trafficking and fair trade. After much discussion with Sarah Freeman and Seth Cain, who were fellow participants on the Haiti trip, Faceless decided to expand its focus. Now the organization strives to create experiences not only for bands, but for anyone who shares a passion to get their hands dirty and literally put a face to the faceless who are exploited every day around the world.

Sarah continues, “Part of what we really love about Faceless is that our trips aren’t just sightseeing, fact-finding trips. We live with the people we are helping. We eat with them; we sing with them; we really get to experience their culture. Once you literally have walked in the steps of people who are being targeted to be trafficked—with coffee growers, with women who have been freed from brothels—your life can’t help but change.”

And make an impact they have! Members of bands such as Showbread, Anberlin, Classic Crime, National Product and Hundred Year Storm; leaders such as Jamie Tworkowski from To Write Love On Her Arms and others have spent their own resources and set out with Faceless to experience the world, outside the walls of concert venues. They return changed, ready to find a way to create an impact to better the lives of those in need.

Follow this with the impact on the fans from all over the world who love music but also realize their heart for doing more than sending money to a charity every month. After 14 trips and 150 participants, the first questions Faceless asks upon return is “What did God teach you on this trip?” followed closely by “Now what are you going to do with this knowledge and experience?” It is important to keep the community aspect of students helping each other realize their passions. Faceless helps inspire youth to reach out and truly be the change God inspires them to make in the world.

This is what truly sets Faceless apart from other organizations that are creating mission trips for kids: Faceless empowers students to come up with their own creative ways to step out and be leaders for world change.

Amy Turner was a grad student at the University of Louisville, studying art therapy when she went with Faceless to India during Christmas 2008. Upon her return, she quickly booked a return ticket.

“If it weren’t for Faceless, I probably never would have gone to India. For that matter, I probably wouldn’t have discovered how passionate I am about human trafficking. Being able to take the trip in December inspired me to return for two months this summer,” Amy says.

“Faceless has such a great ability of recognizing what people are passionate about and what talents they possess. With this ability, they are able to mobilize and get them into the right places to use these passions and talents. Faceless recognized my passion and talent in creating mentor relationships and service. They put me in touch with Made by Survivors, and I was able to work in their shelters for the summer. I was able to form relationships with trafficked girls and provide support in a shelter that takes care of them. My plan is to take what I’ve learned from Made by Survivors and open my own safe house. Having Faceless to encourage me and keep me accountable has helped me keep my eyes on my passions and not become distracted by everyday life. They have inspired me to use my talents because they use theirs for all the people they meet. I thank them everyday, just as often as I thank India for changing my world.”

Mekahla Peterson hasn’t actually beenon a Faceless trip (yet); however, after seeing an interview with Stephen at Cornerstone 2008, the high-school sophomore was called to action. Her personality won’t allow her to sit and watch injustice without acting; so Mekahla, her parents and a few friends started Students for Faceless in her high school outside of Kansas City. This group focuses on domestic and international human trafficking issues and reaches out to the community at large to raise awareness and funds.

Students for Faceless have produced concerts in the Kansas City area, created a Fair Trade Fair, as well as completed clothing and hygiene kit drives for women who are being protected in a safe-house in their area. The group has started selling Freedom Chains, which are bracelets made out of old T-shirts that serve to remind supporters of slavery statistics, such as:

• In 2010, Faceless is continuing to expand its impact worldwide. Student-run regional programs allow students to pursue their passions on a local scale through projects they create to meet needs they discover in their own communities.

• In Los Angeles and Nashville, spring break and summer trips are planned to experience inner-city poverty and slavery issues domestically. Other cities are being added for summer trips that will partner with locally established organizations.

• During the Christmas season, Faceless annually treks to India to work directly with rural children who are at extreme risk of being trafficked, as well as with women freed from brothels in the red-light district of Kolkota.

• Summer 2010 begins with a trip to Ukriane, where trafficking looks very different than in India. Participants will work with an aftercare facility for social orphans—children who have parents but are in the orphanage system due to being abandoned by their parents or were removed from their homes by the state—who make up the largest group trafficked in that country.

• The Ukraine trip will be followed by a Fair Trade trip to Rwanda, where participants will learn about the coffee process and get to pick coffee beans alongside widows whose husbands were killed in their country’s genocide.

When he talks about Faceless, Stephen’s eyes come alive. His excitement and energy is contagious, and his vision is apparent. “For us at Faceless, we believe it’s vital to help the widows and orphans and care for people of all nationalities, color, creed or religious backgrounds. We want to help the global community in whatever capacity we possibly can, whether that is helping to farm alongside someone in Haiti or Rwanda, building in the Ukraine or India or meeting the emotional needs of those in our community and daily lives. Faceless wants to help. As Faceless, it is our faith that drives us. Our passion is clear, and our devotion is undeniable.”