CONTENT ADVISORY: While Jenni is not explicit or graphic in telling her story, parts of this content may be unsuitable for some audiences.
Jenni Jessen, a human trafficking advocate and survivor, has a story that is full of darkness and evil, but it is still full of hope and redemption. Even though her own grandfather (an elder in his church) trafficked her, Jenni has been able to trust God’s goodness and mercy.
If you’ve ever wondered how God allows such evil in the world, or how to forgive someone that has wronged you, then this conversation is for you.
Jenni has more than 20 years of experience fighting human trafficking. She and her husband founded their own non-profit in 2011 and have been housing, educating, discipling the young women that have been rescued.
You can learn more about their work with Compass 31 here. Get book Jenni’s about her life “The Lucky One.”
My first thoughts of course is how horrible this happened. Especially by her own grandfather. The second thing that struck me is why you referred to her grandfather as a Christian. I would have called him a so called Christian. No true born again Christian would commit such an atrocity. It has taken her a lot of faith and courage to get through this. God continue to bless her and strengthen her.
I totally agree with Dorothy Kellem’s comment… grandpa was either severely backslidden or an imposter…but in either case a mentally sick man.
Thank you for the work you are doing Jenni in fighting trafficking!
I don’t hear where she refers to her grandfather as a Christian. In fact, at the very end of this interview she states he died cursing God, and she knows that means eternal damnation.
An imposter. Many people hide behind the name of God to commit the most heinous crimes. Because of what I have experienced I have been able to meet the real Jesus in my life. This is so so sad.
I loved listening to this testimony. My father and stepfather both used me for much of my childhood for their own sexual satisfaction. Forgiveness is the only way to overcome that kind of betrayal. Jesus never left me, he was always there loving me and I too have the victory over my past.
Her grandfather was not a Christian in his mind maybe but not Gods.
I wish that I could talk to you Jenni just one time because although I have my own tragic stories about me, it’s the story of what happened to my beautiful little son when I trusted church family that is my daily nightmare now for decades. I can’t really talk to anyone about it, first, because I don’t think they can really understand what I’m going through, and second, I don’t want to betray my son’s privacy of what happened to him. So I’ve never been able to really deal with it and so it remains this secret nightmare in… Read more »
This doesn’t need to remain your secret nightmare, dear one. Ask God to lead you to a Godly counselor who will keep your story completely confidential and offer to walk alongside you to the healing freedom that Jesus died to give you. God will answer your cries as you believe. ❤
My daughter was sold into sex trafficking out of state.. I’m not sure what has happened but you hv to lay it down like she talks about give it to the good judge let him heal your brokenness and trust he is good.. his plan is perfect..
The same thing happened to my daughter.
I’m so sorry 😐
Vikki you can talk to me i have a similar story with one of my children. we both can use support.
Wow! I am a long time follower of Jesus but I yet need to learn what real forgiveness is. It is hard for me to apply forgiveness in Jenni’s story yet I know only through Christ is possible!
The book Total Forgiveness by RT Kendall helped me tremendously. 14 years of ongoing abuse by those who were supposed to protect me left me with issues with forgiveness for sure, but it’s worth pursuing. It doesn’t mean that what they did was right; it sets you free from the burden of carrying unforgiveness in your heart 💕
thank you for such a brave interview…what to do how to pray for my daughter n granddaughter living with a neglectful substance abused man
Wow, so heartbreaking. I just want to ask where were all the other adults in her life. Was there no one she could talk to or feel safe? I’m heartbroken for her past but I learned so much in this short talk about forgiveness.
Right, where was everyone else (for 13 years)? Did no one notice, grandma, mom, dad, etc.? My immediately thoughts are, I want to know that these disputable men were brought to justice!
Who can stand ahainst the money shakers on earth?
I am so thankful for this woman and her story. I reported my daughter being abused and trafficked by her father in 2015. She was one week shy of turning 4 the last time that I saw her. I was turned on by law enforcement, courts, and my family who hid behind God. There is a large organization that has been doing this for a very long time . I pray for my baby and many other children going through this exact same thing at the hands of those they trust the most.
I love the story of forgiveness. God loved you and got you through it all.
How do I watch the whole story