This week’s episode of Longing for More is an interview with Becky Rasmussen, the Executive Director of Call to Freedom which is an organization committed to navigating a healthy path from victim to survivor through victim-centered responsive services to those who have experienced sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

The interview is much longer than most but is a powerful message of what human trafficking is and what Call to Freedom is dong to combat it. It is also an amazing story of how God led Becky through various stages of preparation to lead the organization.  

Recognizing that transcripts are very challenging to read and even more so when they are lengthy, I am encouraging you to listen to this episode. It is well worth it, I promise.  

Either way, I am sharing snippets from the conversation here for you now. I hope they will have as much meaning for you as they did for me. 

First, Becky started with a quote about the voices that shed light in the darkness. To get a picture of this, imagine the following statistics:

Every 30 seconds, someone becomes a victim of modern-day slavery. There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history.

What is even more frightening, is the only 3% of the victims are identified. Becky shares how the Sturgis Bike rally and surprisingly, hunting season, are the two biggest events that create a demand for human trafficking in South Dakota. She goes on to share how families are raising children into human trafficking on our reservations.

When asked how she got into this line of work, Becky shares that she’s a “new” Christian in that she has only been in a relationship with Jesus for about 13 years.  She shares how He has directed her steps to get where she is through working with a non-profit organization, doing homeless outreach, working in television, and finally entering into the ministry for three years.

We visited about how we are often so excited about the vision from God that we step out in faith before God has called us to it. To avoid doing this, we need to be connected with God and listen to his directions. 

Another great quote from the interview is, “Find the foundation that’s already been laid,” rather than creating a path that isn’t ours. 

She reminds us that God is always faithful and that if we aren’t certain of our path, to simply get in and serve.  To submit to other’s authority, be faithful for a period until we can see what He has called us to do. She shares that God isn’t going to let us fall if we do something with the right intention. 

Her advice is to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.  God will equip us with skills that are in line with the character he has created us for. She goes on to say that we need to be developed to live out our calling and we get that by serving. If we are faithful to it, God will trust us with more. 

Her life scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” NIV

She goes on to say that there is something about stepping into your call and purpose that gives you joy and contentment and peace that you can’t find when you try to search for it on your own. 

As leaders, we need to be mindful of what we are doing with what we are hearing from God. Truly, it is all about community and how we lift others up. 

She explains how a whole community is addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in her work.

She also explains how God called her to lead this organization and how He prepared her for this journey; one step at a time.

You won’t want to miss even one minute of this powerful conversation. And when it’s over you will want to share it with your friends, because education and awareness are crucial if we hope to help end the hidden tragedy of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

After listening to this powerful interview, please go to calltofreedom.org to learn more about this amazing organization and see how you can help.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you were inspired by Becky’s story and the work she does.  Please listen to her directly on the podcast or on the unedited version on YouTube.