Elijah Rising

Human trafficking happens closer to home than most people realize—often through those we trust most. Angela Williams shares her powerful testimony of surviving commercial sexual exploitation in Houston, from her first exposure at age 12 to her miraculous extraction eight years ago. Now an advocate working directly with law enforcement and at-risk youth, Angela offers raw insights into the realities of trafficking, the grooming proc...

Did you know that the average age of exposure to pornography is just nine years old? Join us as we dive deep into one of the most critical conversations facing families and faith communities today. Micah sits down with Phuong, Associate Director at Demand Disruption, to discuss how churches and parents can protect children from exploitation and break the cycle that fuels human trafficking demand.

In this episode, Phuong shares her e...

What happens when God calls you into a completely new season of ministry after decades of faithful service? In this powerful episode, Micah sits down with Michelle Frank, co-founder of Safe Places for Women and author of "Leading After Loss," to explore the journey of navigating major life and ministry transitions.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to discern when God is calling you into a new season
• The vital i...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dennis and Bobbie Mark, founders of Redeemed Ministries and true pioneers in the anti-trafficking movement. After 19 years of dedicated service, they share their journey from strip club outreach to opening one of Texas's first residential homes for sex trafficking survivors. Dennis and Bobbie discuss the evolution of trauma-informed care, the challenges of building programs without pr...

Every organization working to combat human trafficking dreams of the day their services won't be needed. At Elijah Rising, we've spent 2024 moving closer to that vision through direct action, community support, and faith-based healing. Join hosts David and Micah as they share inspiring stories of transformation from their anti-trafficking work in Houston, including milestone achievements in survivor recovery, program expa...

In this episode, David and Dawn break down the recent P. Diddy trafficking allegations to explore a crucial but often misunderstood aspect of sex trafficking: coercion. Drawing from their extensive experience in anti-trafficking work, they discuss how traffickers use psychological manipulation, false promises of stardom, and drug-based coercion to exploit victims. Learn why many trafficking victims don't initially identify as ...

After adopting a daughter from China, Tom Broyles' life took a transformative turn from practicing law to pursuing mission work driven by faith and purpose. Discover how his legal expertise and faith uniquely prepared him for this impactful mission, blending professional skills with a heartfelt commitment to service. Listen as Tom shares the emotional and logistical steps they took to establish a safe home for minors, emphasiz...

Why do so many foster care systems fall short in providing adequate support for vulnerable children and families?

Amber's firsthand experiences highlighted critical gaps within the foster care system, motivating her to establish the Riverside Project.

Riverside Project focuses on collaborative system change and the mobilization of churches and communities to fill gaps in the foster care system.

We ...

Teen trafficking is closer to home than you think, and it's happening in our schools. Join us as we unravel the shocking story of a Klein ISD teacher allegedly leading a network exploiting runaway teens for prostitution.  We break down the disturbing timeline revealing the tactics traffickers use to manipulate vulnerable youth. From street names to social media grooming, learn the red flags that can save lives.

Our di...

What is familial trafficking and how does Hands of Justice support survivors?

In this episode, Carrie Harney with Hands of Justice tells us her personal story of being trafficked as a child. It took Carrie many years to realize what she had experienced was exploitation, and it was not until she attended a Hands of Justice event as an adult and heard their presentation that she was able to identify herself as a survivor of ...

What if understanding the financial underpinnings of human trafficking could revolutionize the fight against it? Youngbee Dale is a researcher and anti-trafficking expert. We take a deep dive into the operational dynamics of global trafficking networks. 

In our discussion, we explore the persistent challenges law enforcement faces, especially within illicit massage parlors, where shutting down one location often breeds man...

How is 3in1 Mechanical Ministries filling the gap of transportation for overcomers of trafficking?

In our work with women in Restorative Care, we have found that once they complete our program and have jobs and housing, we always still have the missing piece of transportation. In order to help our graduates be set up for success, they need a reliable way to get to and from work. Otherwise, they immediately find themselves in a vulne...

What does recovery and restoration look like after addiction and trafficking?

This is the third and final episode in this series with Jessica Gobble, Elijah Rising’s Recovery Specialist. In this episode, Jessica talks about the deep shame embedded in people who have experienced addiction and trafficking, as well as the hope and restoration available to them.

Jessica also explains:

• Recovery is not linear; relaps...

What new drug trends are we seeing and why are they so concerning?

This is the second episode in our series with Jessica Gobble, Elijah Rising’s Recovery Specialist. In this episode, Jessica goes over the most popular types of drugs right now and why they are so dangerous, specifically to young people. 

In this episode, Jessica sheds light on:

• The persistent surge of fentanyl and its devastating impact.
• The largest resurg...

Why and how do we address recovery in Elijah Rising Restorative Care?

In this episode, Jessica Gobble, Elijah Rising’s Recovery Specialist, explains how addiction feeds trafficking and trafficking feeds addiction. 

Traffickers have learned that they are able to make more profit off of an exploited individual when they exploit them in multiple ways. 

For instance, if a trafficker coerces a woman into transporting drugs across the borde...

We're joined by special guest Frankie Mazzapica, pastor at the Celebration Church in The Woodlands, Texas, and a longtime partner with Elijah Rising. Frankie brings profound insights on prayer from his  new book, Ignite Your Life: 14 Things that Happen When You Pray. Frankie shares how prayer has drastically altered his life and its effect on others. Don't miss this episode, it has a ton of great insight for anyone seekin...

Check out this bonus episode where we share the story about an Elijah Rising presentation that went horribly wrong! Our Executive Director, Micah Gamboa, experienced cardiac arrest during her presentation at Celebration Church of The Woodlands. Amazingly, God worked a miracle, and Micah was able to recover in just a few days with no lasting effects. Hear the story from Pastor Frankie Mazzapica on what it was like to walk through th...