It's not often that Christian worship leaders find their songs being played on Radio 1. But this is exactly what has happened with a charity single from Matt Redman and LZ7 which has been raising awareness of the plight of the voiceless 27 million trafficked around the world.

On Sunday, the single Twenty Seven Million was the second highest new entry in the Top 40 chart.

Its success owes largely due to the fact that Christians across denominations have been standing in support of the charity single, as well as the well-known figures lending their support and helping to tell the story.

Gavin Shuker MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Prostitution – and a member of the Alliance's Council, said: "Twenty Seven Million is an excellent tool to wake people up to the issue of sexual exploitation, both globally and right here in the UK. We know that public awareness is the foundation for creating real change in society, and I hope this song inspires all who hear it to take action against modern-day slavery."

The single started life as a conversation between Beth Redman and Christine Caine, founder of the A21 Campaign. Beth, married to Matt whose songs include Blessed Be Your Name, was shocked when she found out that there are an estimated 27 million people trapped as modern day slaves. Of those – only around one to two per cent are rescued.

So Beth collaborated with her husband, as well as husband-and-wife team Lindz and Lucy West (LZ7), Willie Weeks and Jorge Mhondera to write the song. The lyrics tell the true story of a girl trafficked from Eastern Europe into London's sex trade.

Canon J John said: "A few generations ago our ancestors fought tirelessly to end slavery, yet under our watch the problem has returned. Today we desperately need a fresh wave of abolitionists, driven by faith, united by purpose. May Twenty Seven Million be the anthem that wakes us up and spurs us on."

Watch the official video for the Twenty Seven Million single 

Read a comment piece from Simon Hawthorne about human trafficking around the world.