The Start of a Mission
“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” — Matthew 18:6 (NLT)
Project Millstone is an initiative of Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, Texas, born out of a deep desire to protect and empower families in today’s digital age. The name is intentional: Merriam-Webster defines “millstone” as a heavy burden. For many parents, the weight of shielding their children from the dangers of the online world—predators, exploitation, and abuse—can feel exactly like that. Project Millstone exists to help shoulder that burden. By equipping families with tools, wisdom, and faith-based guidance, the initiative is committed to turning this heavy load into a shared mission of vigilance, confidence, and protection.
At Project Millstone, we believe the safety, dignity, and spiritual protection of every child is sacred. Grounded in the words of Christ in Matthew 18:6, our mission is clear: to stand as a fierce barrier between children and those who would harm or exploit them—online or in the real world.
Combining practical tools with spiritual insight, our mission is to equip families to recognize danger, respond effectively, and build strong, faith-filled foundations that guard the hearts and minds of the next generation.
What Are the Challenges Related to Online Predators and Child Exploitation?
1. Anonymity & Deception
• They exploit platforms with weak verification systems to access and manipulate children.
2. Access Through Popular Platforms
• Even apps that seem safe can include DMs, voice chat, or live video features that are hard to monitor.
3. Grooming Tactics
• Grooming can occur over weeks or months before exploitation happens.
4. Sextortion & Image-Based Abuse
• These images are then used to threaten, blackmail, or shame them—sometimes leading to serious psychological harm.
5. Underreporting by Children
• Some don’t even realize they’re being exploited due to manipulation or lack of education.
6. Rapidly Changing Technology
• AI-generated content and deepfakes pose new risks for manipulating or faking imagery.
7. Limited Awareness Among Parents
• Lack of digital literacy can leave children unprotected or unsupervised online.
8. Global, Hard-to-Enforce Laws
• Platforms may not report abuse quickly, and some lack robust moderation
What's Needed:
In a digital age where predators hide behind screens and platforms prioritize profit over protection, Project Millstone rises to defend the “little ones” Jesus spoke of. We equip parents, caregivers, churches and communities with education, tools and spiritual resources to confront and prevent child exploitation.
