About this Episode:
In this bonus episode of the Trafficking Free America Podcast, we take a deeper dive into Episode 1 of the Advocate Series with Bruce Deel, founder and CEO of City of Refuge in Atlanta. Bruce shares powerful stories from his 25+ years of ministry serving people in crisis and explains why the Church must confront human trafficking with courage, compassion, and biblical conviction.

This bonus conversation expands on the Advocate Series—a new 5-part Bible study led by Francis Chan—created by the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to equip the Church to respond to trafficking in a Christ-centered way.

💡 Learn how one pastor turned a single act of compassion into a movement serving hundreds of survivors—and how your church can take practical steps to join the fight.

🔗 Watch the full Advocate Series for free: AdvocateSeries.com
✝️ Become an Abolitionist: USIAHT.org/Abolitionist
🎧 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America for future Advocate deep dives and new conversations on ending trafficking through faith and action.

🕒 Episode Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome to the Trafficking Free America Podcast
0:33 – Introducing Bruce Deel & City of Refuge
2:22 – The moment that changed everything: helping a woman escape trafficking
3:36 – Why the Church must confront trafficking, not avoid it
5:44 – How fear and ignorance keep churches from engaging
7:13 – Why the Advocate Series matters for pastors and believers
9:06 – The difference between faith-based advocacy and secular training
11:53 – Behind the scenes: Bruce’s first impression of the Advocate Series
13:48 – Why confrontation in the Church is necessary for change
16:23 – Advice for viewers new to the issue of human trafficking
18:03 – Confrontation, conviction, and the call to act
20:19 – What the average Christian can do right now
22:52 – Transforming your heart before taking action
25:57 – How to respond to buyers, traffickers, and victims with grace and truth
28:31 – Guiding group discussions around difficult conversations
30:05 – Handling disclosures or confessions safely in church settings
32:48 – How this series can transform individuals and strengthen the Church
35:18 – Bruce’s closing prayer for the Church and survivors
37:01 – How to watch, download, and get involved