Michelle Sheba Tolentino explains her middle name’s origin from the biblical Queen of Sheba and discusses her work with vulnerable children through the Global Children’s Forum and as catalyst for the Lausanne Movement’s Children at Risk Issue Network, which since 2010 has emphasized children as co-laborers in God’s mission. She defines “children at risk” as those under 18 exposed to poverty, war, exploitation, child labor, trafficking, and online sexual exploitation, noting a 2015 study that eight in ten Filipino children experienced violence and an IJM estimate of 500,000 children impacted by online sexual exploitation. Tolentino shares growing up in Metro Manila slums amid poverty, abuse, and community drug addiction, and founding Made in Hope in 2011 to support women survivors of sex trafficking and their children through livelihood, leadership, spiritual formation, child support, prevention training, prayer practices, and government partnerships, while advocating for churches to welcome survivors with patience.

00:51 Origin of Sheba
01:55 Global Children’s Forum
02:17 Lausanne Children at Risk
03:45 Defining Vulnerable Children
05:35 Calling and Early Ministry
07:13 Growing Up at Risk
10:34 Violence and Exploitation Stats
12:43 Made in Hope Programs
15:24 Breaking the Cycle for Kids
17:55 Radio Show by Children
20:12 Kids On Corruption
20:52 Called To The Work
22:54 Restoring Voice And Power
24:37 Why Churches Feel Unsafe
26:43 Becoming A Welcoming Church
28:32 Culture Pets And Affluence
29:24 Signs Of Hope And Prevention
31:41 Prayer Practices For Resilience
34:11 Mobilizing Government And Policy
36:32 Lament Perseverance And Emmanuel
39:28 Let The Children Come