Global Reality
The Global Reality
Why We Turn Toward the Crisis, Not Away
Featuring: Tracy Daugherty & Jessica Whittle
Human trafficking is one of the darkest and fastest‑growing crises in our world today — nearly 50 million people living in some form of exploitation. To put that into perspective, it’s the entire population of South Korea. It’s overwhelming, heartbreaking, and deeply personal to the heart of God.
In this episode of the Freedom Challenge Online Podcast, Director Tracy Daugherty and Jessica Whittle, Director of Freedom Challenge Africa, sit down for an honest, Spirit‑led conversation about what trafficking really looks like and what followers of Jesus can do about it.
Understanding the Reality
While many people immediately think “sex trafficking,” only about 13% of modern slavery falls into that category. Jessica and Tracy unpack the wide range of exploitation happening today:
Forced labor in factories, fishing, mining
Domestic servitude
Child marriage
Online grooming and pornography
Organ harvesting
Scam centers fueled by coercion and violence
Africa alone sees over 7 million people enslaved, with a staggering 64% vulnerability rate.
The numbers are overwhelming — but this is not a story of despair. It’s a call to awareness, compassion, and action.
The Heart of Freedom Challenge
Tracy and Jessica trace the history of Freedom Challenge, birthed in 2012 when 40 women summited Kilimanjaro to raise funds, awareness, and hope. Since then, Freedom Challenge USA and Freedom Challenge Africa have grown side by side as sister movements, rooted in four pillars:
Prevent
Develop
Rescue
Restore
They highlight powerful projects like TrafficWise, a five‑day training equipping communities to recognize and interrupt trafficking. They also speak about development programs that give women alternatives to exploitation, rescue ministries operating wisely and carefully, and restoration work that integrates individuals back into community — healed, dignified, and seen.
A Spiritual Battle Demands a Spiritual Response
At the core of this conversation is a reminder that trafficking is not only a human crisis but a spiritual one.
Prayer is not a secondary action — it's central.
As Tracy says, “Everything comes from prayer.”
As Jessica adds, “We fight this on our knees.”
That’s why Freedom Challenge is hosting a virtual Global Prayer Event on February 8, inviting women around the world to unite in intercession.
How You Can Be Part of the Story
There are four simple, powerful ways to join the movement:
1. Pray
Join the February 8 global prayer gathering.
2. Give
Your generosity directly fuels prevention, rescue, development, and restoration worldwide.
3. Go
With 20+ projects across Africa, there is a growing need for short‑ and long‑term workers.
4. Challenge Yourself
Freedom Challenge Africa and USA host annual physical challenges that combine prayer, advocacy, and embodied solidarity with exploited women and children.
From 50 Million to One Face
Jessica closes by reminding us that although the numbers are staggering, hope rises when we remember God sees every single person — every woman, child, and man — individually.
Freedom begins when someone asks,
“What if I could do something?”
May this conversation spark your own “What if?”
And may every step we take move us closer to God’s heart for freedom.
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Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/F3hZFQpmJ3U
Listen to the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/842389/episodes/18547474
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Want to learn more?
The Freedom Challenge US: thefreedomchallenge.com
Operation Mobilization USA: omusa.org
Instagram: @freedomchallengeusa / Facebook: @thefcusa