In this bonus episode of the Trafficking Free America Podcast, we take a deeper look into Episode 2 of the Advocate Series, joined by survivor and abolitionist Oree Freeman. Oree shares her powerful story of redemption, healing, and faith—and challenges the Church to move beyond awareness into real relationship, compassion, and action.

This conversation expands on the Advocate Series—a 5-part Bible study led by Francis Chan—produced by the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to help believers confront trafficking with a Christ-centered mindset and heart posture.

💡 Hear how one survivor went from exploitation to advocacy, what “tough love” really looks like in healing, and why the Church must learn to love without expectation.

🔗 Watch the full Advocate Series for free: AdvocateSeries.com
✝️ Become an Abolitionist: USIAHT.org/Abolitionist
🎧 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America for more Advocate deep dives and survivor-led conversations.

0:00 – Welcome back to the Advocate Series deep dive
0:35 – Introducing Oree Freeman and her advocacy work
2:20 – From surviving to thriving: Oree’s journey to healing
4:00 – Facing PTSD and learning to rest in God
6:00 – Discovering God as Father, Comforter, and King
8:15 – The importance of restoration and rest for survivors
10:10 – How gratitude and faith shape Oree’s healing process
13:00 – Planting seeds: how small acts of kindness change lives
16:00 – Why “noticing” is sacred—seeing the unseen
18:00 – How to respond when you sense something is wrong
21:30 – What trafficking looks like in everyday life
25:00 – Planting seeds vs. rescuing: what the Church can do
29:00 – Stories of love that changed Oree’s life
33:00 – The Church’s role in building consistent, patient relationships
38:00 – Showing up with the right heart: love without expectation
43:00 – Tough love vs. enabling: what real support looks like
52:00 – Serving with discernment and compassion
1:02:00 – Staying committed even when the story isn’t “finished”
1:07:00 – Oree’s final message: love people without expectation

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.

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

About this Episode:
We’ve faced the weight of the problem—now it’s time to act. In the final episode of the Advocate Series, Francis Chan, survivors, and advocates challenge the Church to step into its God-given role: preventing trafficking, serving victims, and disrupting the demand. Hope is not lost—together, we can push back the darkness. Watch full series here. 

Full Description:
Episode 5 concludes the Advocate Series with a call to action. The fight against human trafficking isn’t just about awareness—it’s about movement. Survivors and leaders share practical steps for prevention, victim care, and ending demand, while pastor Francis Chan reminds us that Christ has empowered His Church to confront evil with courage and compassion.

You’ll also learn about the Abolitionist Project, a national effort to equip and mobilize believers into real action in their communities. This final episode is both a challenge and an invitation: to let our hearts break with God’s heart, to love boldly, and to step forward together as the Body of Christ.

🔔 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America and join the mission to advocate hope for the hopeless.

0:00 – Opening reflection: the weight of the journey so far
1:20 – The despair of hopelessness vs. the hope of Christ
1:54 – The evil of trafficking: abuse of power and silence
2:29 – What history teaches us: slavery wasn’t abolished overnight
3:04 – Why the Church—not systems alone—must lead the way
3:59 – Aligning our hearts with the heart of Jesus
5:24 – The uncomfortable reality: facing what’s really happening
6:21 – Practical steps: recognizing signs, calling hotlines, reporting
7:22 – Public accountability: laws, penalties, and awareness
7:48 – Trafficking is everywhere—and so are churches
8:33 – The Church’s call: love them where they are, consistently
9:22 – Three strategies: prevent, disrupt demand, serve the vulnerable
10:34 – What prevention looks like: foster care, youth, education
11:03 – Disrupting demand: awareness and accountability
11:35 – Serving the impoverished with tangible resources
12:27 – The Abolitionist Project: how to join the movement
13:42 – Building an army of abolitionists across the nation
14:23 – Final encouragement: God is already at work
14:57 – Closing prayer and call to action

About this Episode:
Is prostitution a choice—or another form of trafficking? In this episode of the Advocate Series, survivors share raw stories of addiction, exploitation, and rejection, while Francis Chan reveals how Christ calls us to respond with love, patience, and forgiveness—even when change takes time. Watch full series here

Full Description:
Episode 4 of the Advocate Series confronts one of the most debated questions: Is there a difference between prostitution and trafficking? Through emotional testimonies and biblical teaching, this episode uncovers how coercion, manipulation, and broken identity blur the lines society tries to draw.

You’ll hear from survivors who once believed they “deserved” their pain, only to discover freedom through Christ and the patient, unrelenting love of His people. Pastor Francis Chan draws from Luke 7 to show how Jesus treated the most rejected with dignity, forgiveness, and restoration—and how the Church can do the same today.

🔔 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America and join us in defending hope for the hopeless

0:00 – Opening reflection: anger, justice, and God’s call to help others
1:47 – First steps in rescue and restoration
3:06 – Survivors experiencing real love for the first time
4:21 – The challenge of trust and patience in recovery
5:25 – When help is rejected: what do we do?
6:54 – A young man’s struggle: “I can earn more in one night on the streets”
7:47 – Identity shattered: seeing yourself as an object
8:27 – Survivor story: loneliness, depression, and the lure of prostitution
10:00 – “I thought I was just a prostitute, not trafficked”
11:35 – Stigma, rejection, and believing lies about worth
12:40 – Hopelessness, drugs, and praying for a way out
13:54 – Prostitution vs. trafficking: is there really a difference?
15:28 – Luke 7: Jesus and the woman labeled a sinner
16:40 – Seeing people as children of God, not objects
18:22 – Survivor testimony: meeting a mentor who wouldn’t stop loving
20:46 – How survivors teach us about God’s grace
21:36 – Gratitude and freedom: “God picked me up out of a dark place”
22:35 – Patience and perseverance in restoration ministry
23:39 – Jesus’ parable: forgiveness, debt, and deeper love
24:51 – Why the rejected often love God most deeply
25:26 – The Church’s opportunity: patience, sacrifice, and redemption

About this Episode:
What gives a person their worth? In this episode of the Advocate Series, Francis Chan and survivors reveal how traffickers exploit broken identities—and how the truth that we are made in God’s image can restore hope, value, and freedom. Watch full series here.

Full Description:
Episode 3 of the Advocate Series exposes one of the trafficker’s most powerful weapons: distorted worth and counterfeit love. Survivors share raw testimonies of being dehumanized and coerced, while pastor Francis Chan reminds us that true value comes from being made in the image of God.

Through stories of pain, resilience, and redemption, this episode explores how unconditional, patient, and consistent love—rooted in Christ—can break exploitation and restore lives. It’s a call for the Church to not just recognize trafficking but to live out real, sacrificial love in homes, communities, and congregations.

🔔 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America and join us in defending hope for the hopeless.

0:00 – Introduction
0:48 – Humanity made in God’s image
2:01 – The lies of worldly worth vs. God’s truth
2:58 – Love as Jesus commanded: turning away loneliness and evil
3:45 – How traffickers exploit identity and worth
4:26 – Victims who don’t see themselves as victims
5:09 – Why boys are often left out of the conversation
5:53 – Predators target the vulnerable and traumatized
6:42 – Recognizing the signs of trafficking in everyday life
7:44 – The Church’s responsibility: proactive, not reactive
8:47 – Trafficking myths vs. reality (not like Taken)
9:53 – Survivor story: a mother’s betrayal and cycles of abuse
12:10 – Discovering the truth: “It wasn’t my fault”
15:33 – The chase for love traffickers prey upon
17:24 – Families and communities showing consistent, unconditional love
18:40 – Group home story: consistent love that changed a life
22:15 – Choosing survivor identity over victimhood
23:12 – Oree's redemption story and the rarity of breakthrough
25:16 – Equipping the Church: showing true love in families and communities
26:22 – Valuing others—and yourself—as made in God’s image

About this Episode:
Why would a loving God allow human trafficking to exist? In this powerful episode of the Advocate Series, Francis Chan and survivors wrestle with the hard questions, share raw stories of exploitation, and reveal how the Church can recognize the signs and respond with compassion and action. Watch full series here. 

Full Description:
The Advocate Series continues as pastor and author Francis Chan joins with survivors, advocates, and leaders to confront one of the most difficult questions: Why does God allow such evil?

Through survivor testimony and biblical reflection, this episode sheds light on how traffickers prey on vulnerabilities like poverty, addiction, and lack of identity—and how grooming and coercion often replace the “kidnap” myths many imagine.

This is not just education; it’s preparation. Like CPR for the soul, learning to spot the signs of trafficking can save lives. The Church is called not to turn away but to notice, act, and bring the hope of Christ into the darkest places.

🔔 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America and join the mission to advocate hope for the hopeless.

0:00 – Opening question: Why would God allow this?
1:12 – The reality of sin and human suffering
2:46 – Judgment and responsibility: God’s call to act
3:48 – Defining human trafficking: fraud, force, coercion
4:35 – Survivors share: “I didn’t know I was trafficked”
6:07 – Boys as victims: breaking stereotypes
7:04 – Vulnerabilities traffickers exploit (poverty, abuse, identity loss)
8:03 – Grooming explained: psychological manipulation before violence
9:19 – Survivors describe exploitation and hopelessness
10:14 – The disturbing power of manipulation and control
11:12 – Survivor story: grooming into “family” and false protection
13:16 – From promises to violence: trapped in the life
15:00 – Survivor testimony: “something died in me”
16:05 – Why noticing matters: human trafficking as CPR training
16:50 – Building stronger communities that traffickers can’t infiltrate
18:06 – Preview of next episode: Grooming and prevention

About this Episode:
Human trafficking is happening in our communities, often hidden in plain sight. In this first episode of the Advocate Series, Francis Chan and others call the Church to step into the fight—grounded in Scripture, moved by compassion, and ready to act. Watch full series here. 

Full Description:
The Advocate Series is back—relaunched for the first time as a podcast and YouTube series. In this opening episode, pastor and author Francis Chan joins with survivors, advocates, and leaders to expose the heartbreaking reality of human trafficking in the United States—and to call the Church to respond with biblical conviction, compassion, and action.

From the historical fight against slavery to today’s battle against modern exploitation, this episode shines a light on both the darkness of trafficking and the hope we have in Christ to bring freedom and restoration.

🔔 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America and join the mission to advocate hope for the hopeless.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Content warning & introduction
2:14 – Historical perspective: Wilberforce and abolishing slavery
4:19 – Jesus’ mission: proclaiming freedom for the oppressed
5:20 – Modern-day slavery: human trafficking in America
6:45 – The Church’s calling: light in the darkness
8:14 – Survivor stories of abuse and exploitation
9:30 – Trafficking hidden in plain sight: schools, malls, churches
10:30 – Survivor testimony: betrayal and exploitation from loved ones
11:10 – Kevin Malone’s story: from missions trip to anti-trafficking advocate
12:52 – A call to righteous anger and action in the Church
14:55 – The body of Christ: unique gifts, one mission
16:29 – Francis Chan on compassion as a gift from God
18:29 – Humility vs. pride in advocacy
18:51 – Closing prayer for love, humility, and action

We’re re-launching our Advocate Series—for the first time ever—as a podcast and YouTube series starting October 9th, 2025. Watch full series here. 

This 5-part study, led by author and pastor Francis Chan, dives into how the Church can biblically and practically confront the reality of human trafficking in America.

Through Scripture, survivor stories, and urgent insights, this series explores:

• The biblical call to defend the vulnerable and oppressed
• The hidden but devastating reality of trafficking across the U.S.
• How churches can move beyond awareness into bold action
• Stories of healing, restoration, and hope through Christ

This is more than a conversation—it’s a call for the Body of Christ to rise up, engage, and be the hands and feet of Jesus in the fight against trafficking. Together, we can help bring freedom, justice, and redemption to those who need it most.

After the 5 episodes have premiered, we will have 5 bonus episodes that we launched back in season 2 of our podcast (keep in mind that you can listen to those at any time)

🔔 Subscribe to Trafficking Free America and join the mission to advocate hope for the hopeless.

In this powerful final replay of our Safe Home Training Series, we shift from starting and running a safe home to how you can support one—as a volunteer, a donor, a church, a business, or simply someone who cares deeply about restoring lives from human trafficking.

Host Jeremy Hicks is joined once again by Brandy Cristafulli, founder of Life Recaptured, for a heartfelt, honest, and incredibly practical conversation on what kind of help truly makes a difference—and why most safe homes can't survive without it.

Whether you're wondering how to give, volunteer, network, or advocate for survivors—this episode is your step-by-step guide.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back: Let’s talk about support
00:36 – “Yes, it’s financial—but it’s more than that”
01:22 – How Brandy built her network of dentists, surgeons, hospitals
03:20 – “I started at a veterans post”—you never know who will support you
04:54 – Why finding local professionals is crucial: dentists, optometrists, pharmacists
06:27 – Fun matters too—building safe, joyful experiences for survivors
07:29 – The role of churches and strategic partnerships
08:25 – A call to churches: reach out to 10 others about supporting a safe home
09:59 – Why safe homes need more than just volunteers—they need vetting, trust, and strategy
11:08 – How vetting and prayer create a trustworthy safe home
12:16 – What it takes to become a trained, approved volunteer
13:22 – Not everyone is ready to work directly with survivors—and that’s okay
14:35 – Realities of trauma: why training, NDAs, and boundaries are non-negotiable
15:18 – Why many safe homes shut down: accusations, burnout, or lack of training
17:09 – “We’ve hung by a thread”—Brandy’s honesty about funding struggles
18:22 – Brandy’s dream: a safe home in every county in the U.S.
19:09 – “Trafficking is forgotten”—why we need more awareness AND more action
20:50 – We can’t do this alone: collaborate, share, and scale together
21:54 – The 3-tier foundation that sustains a safe home: training, loyalty, and funding

• Support isn’t always money—but safe homes cannot survive without it
• Churches have a unique role in supporting and networking for safe homes
• Vetted volunteers protect both survivors and themselves
• Practical support like medical, dental, and over-the-counter supplies saves lives
• Most safe homes close because of poor training or lack of sustainable funding
• You CAN make a difference by building a network around an existing safe home

🎯 How to Take Action

1. Start the process of launching a safe home (get trained, get support, get wise)
2. Support an existing home like Life Recaptured—financially or practically
3. Pray for more homes, more resources, and more hope

#SafeHomeSeries #TraffickingFreeAmerica #BrandyCristafulli #LifeRecaptured #USIAHT #SupportSafeHomes #EndHumanTrafficking #FaithInAction #SurvivorCare

In this replay of our Trafficking Free America Podcast, we go deep into the real-world structure, phases, and outcomes of what a safe home should truly accomplish for survivors of human trafficking.

Host Jeremy Hicks sits down again with Brandy Cristafulli, founder of Life Recaptured, to talk about every step of the recovery journey—from intake to empowerment to independence. Brandy shares lessons learned, mistakes made, and the incredible power of consistent structure, compassionate boundaries, and trauma-informed care.

If you want to start, support, or understand what a quality survivor-centered safe home looks like, this is your blueprint.

🌐 Learn More
USIAHT: https://www.usiaht.org
Life Recaptured: https://www.liferecaptured.org
Become an Abolitionist: https://www.usiaht.org/give

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back: The most detailed episode yet
01:22 – Brandy’s journey of ongoing education and mistakes
02:12 – The hard truth: sometimes you must turn someone away
03:04 – What a safe home should be accomplishing at each phase
04:34 – Detox and assessment: when to say no
06:19 – Intake: learning family background, triggers, and trauma
08:14 – The cost of care: $225/hr for trauma-informed therapy
10:00 – Daily rhythm: structure, relationship, restoration
12:05 – From assessment to residential to empowerment
13:36 – How survivors reclaim power in the empowerment phase
14:19 – Independence: job, rent, responsibility, and tracking
15:18 – A restaurant and boutique run by survivors
17:14 – Dream boards, group service, and core values
19:08 – Why healing and discipline must happen together
21:01 – Real-world readiness: barcodes, brands, and resumes
23:45 – “I don’t have a dream”—restoring purpose with joy
25:02 – Themed dinners and community-based healing
26:14 – Why safe homes must be long-term investments
27:17 – No one “ages out”—phases guide the pace
28:59 – “One girl is worth it”—don’t measure success by numbers
29:55 – Exits: the hardest and most necessary part
32:01 – You can’t save them all—but you must protect the house
36:42 – Why training, not just heart, keeps survivors safe

• How to set up four clear recovery phases in a safe home
• Why boundaries and structure matter more than emotion
• The emotional toll of running a home — and how to survive it
• What it means to graduate from a safe home (and when not to)
• How Christ-like love includes discipline, exits, and grace
• What it takes to build a community that restores lives

🎙 If this episode moved you, here’s how to take action:

✅ Start training with an organization like Selah Freedom
✅ Support a safe home financially or with your skills
✅ Share this episode with your network
✅ Pray for and support survivor leaders and caregivers

#SafeHomeSeries #TraffickingFreeAmerica #BrandyCristafulli #LifeRecaptured #USIAHT #EndHumanTrafficking #PodcastReplay #SurvivorCare #JeremyHicks #FaithInAction