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Back in October 2016, I received a text from one of our Youth girls. She had just seen the movie PRICELESS at the theater and was blown away. She felt it was something our Youth group (guys and girls) needed to see.
Unfortunately, we were unable to plan an outing before the movie was replaced by another at our local theater. But there are plans in the works to gather them together to watch the DVD.
You may wonder what drives a teen girl to reach out and request that our Youth group watch a movie about sex trafficking.
About six months ago our Pastor invited Present Age Ministries, a local non-profit that is committed to combating sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of teen girls, with a focus on prevention education and direct services for survivors, to speak to our congregation.
Unfortunately, I was at home with a migraine but have heard from many of our women and teens that what she shared had a huge impact on them.
Many of our women received training and are volunteering with Present Age Ministries. Our Missions Team continues to look for ways we can partner with them.
Our women are now aware – most were not – of the sex and human trafficking that happens right here in our city.
I recently had the opportunity to screen the movie PRICELESS and I understand now why I got that initial text. The story is raw, riveting, and disturbing.
Note: Please view this movie before sharing it with a group. Make sure your group is aware of the content – it may be triggering for women who have experienced abuse or those who struggle with sexual sin or temptations. Give them the option to opt-out privately.
Inspired by true events, PRICELESS is a powerful drama/thriller about James Stevens who was, at one time, a good man with a great life — but that was then and this is now. After the tragic death of his wife and losing custody of his little girl, James is at the darkest crossroad of his life. Angry, desperate, and unable to hold down a steady job, he agrees to drive a box truck on a shady, one-time trip cross country for cash — no questions asked. But when he discovers what he is delivering is actually who, he is compelled to save two beautiful and frightened sisters who are unaware of the danger that awaits them. Can love, strength, and faith redefine his past and change the course of his future? This unlikely hero risks it all to save these women, confront the forces that oppose him and ultimately discover the life he was meant to live.
Check out the preview below:
PRICELESS is available on DVD and streaming via Amazon.
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally.
- 68% of them are trapped in forced labor
- 26% of them are children
- 55% are women and girls
(Source: Polaris)
The statistics will blow your mind, but it is the stories that will break your heart…
Human trafficking, and specifically sex trafficking, really strikes a chord with women and moves them to action.
It’s an issue millennials are vocal about. (Check out the End It Movement.)
It’s one of those taboo topics that women’s ministry teams need to address.
God may call your church to partner with a local sex-trafficking ministry.
God may be leading your team to host an event to provide information about human trafficking in your community and the opportunities and needs of local ministries.
Perhaps God will move you to host a showing of PRICELESS at your church to start a conversation about human trafficking. Be sure to check out the online resources on their site.
If you’re looking for more specific ideas on how your group can take action check out the Human Trafficking Hotline’s 9 action steps for faith-based organizations.
We never know when one of our women or girls will be targeted.
Statically speaking, it’s extremely possible that there are women in your church right now who have or are being trafficked. Please keep that in mind if you plan an event or activity related to this topic.
Let’s expose the darkness to light and ask God to use us to bring about safety and healing!
I encourage you to check out the resources below for more information:
The PRICELESS Movement
Human Trafficking Hotline
Presidential Proclamation on National Slavery and Human Trafficking
Polaris
U.S. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement – Human Trafficking
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own. I was granted access to a screening of PRICELESS before its DVD release.
You may also want to read:
How to Tackle Taboo Topics
How to Engage Multiple Generations
One year ago: What do your women want to study?
Two years ago: Women’s Ministry Job Descriptions – Part 1
Three years ago: Free Printable Valentine Verses
So heartbreaking. And I admit, I’m pretty unaware of the situation in the US.
I have a friend who runs a non-profit for the girls coming out of Sex trafficking and honestly, if it wasn’t for her, I would be oblivious to the whole thing. It’s a much bigger issue than people are willing to admit. This is the first I’ve heard of this movie and it looks heart-wrenchingly good.
God has been dealing with me to inform my ladies on the issues of sex trafficking both internationally and locally. I would love to win a copy of Priceless as a place to start that conversation. Thank you for bringing up this taboo topic.
Valerie Mathura
First Lady
South Metro Ministries
My church is only 3 years old but my pastor is very progressive and our youth ministry is at the top of his list. For this I am so grateful but not surprised because our church motto is…”people matter”.
Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.
This has been an issue on the heart of my Pastor’s wife for a while and she has been wanting to bring it before our Lady’s Ministry (which we are just now starting). It would be wonderful to have this movie to share with them. Even I don’t know enough about it and am looking forward to seeing it. I’m thankful God has brought this to my attention.
Have wanted to see this movie since I first heard about it at PointFest. Unfortunately, it wasn’t showing at any theaters near us and was on for such a short time we weren’t able to make it. I wish they wouldn’t limit the showings of Christian movies (only at select theaters). Thanks for sharing this article. I’d like to watch this movie and potentially have a showing of it at our church. If nothing else, I’d like to have a movie night and show it to our teens. I’m a leader for our teens at church, my husband and I head up the group.
Have not seen this, but hope to soon…thanks for bringing it to light, God bless your ministry
It is a great profound movie. It would be great to share with the women in my church body.
Thanks for sharing! Interesting material.
What a great way to get women’s ministries involved in a modern day issue. I will definite look into it for the WM at my church. Thank you for sharing! ?