From Outreach to Exit: Walking with Survivors of Sexual Exploitation (Denise Lester)

James sits down with Denise Lester, founder of Rended Heart (Kansas City, MO), to explore what sexual exploitation looks like today—and how her ministry stands in the 30-day gap between crisis and long-term recovery. Denise shares her journey from NYC to KC, early work with Exodus Cry, street and club outreach, and why most trafficking now hides offline and online. They discuss highways I-35/I-70, drug dependency, the legal hurdles of proving force, fraud, or coercion, how porn and grooming shape demand, and the slow, relational work of trust, detox, documents, and dignity. A powerful story of a child’s rescue and adoption shows hope in action—and Denise offers concrete ways listeners can help.

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
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To learn more about Rended Heart visit www.rendedheart.org.

Quotable

• “I’m not here to rescue you—I’m here to support you if you’re ready to walk out.”

• “You can leave anytime; we won’t hold you—but count the cost of what you’re surrendering.”

Chapter Markers

• 00:28 — Denise’s journey & launch of Rended Heart

• 03:35 — Street/club outreach & the shift online

• 05:28 — The 30-day gap and why exits stall

• 07:53 — Hospitals, law enforcement, interstate cases, immigration

• 11:42 — A child rescued: court orders, sheriff retrieval, adoption

• 15:30 — KC’s geography (I-35/I-70), drugs, grooming, and porn’s role

• 20:08 — Legal hurdles: proving force/fraud/coercion for adults

• 23:06 — Trust, phones, and the hard work of starting over

• 37:20 — Volunteers, housing, and how you can help

Links

• Rended Heart: rendedheart.org

• Contact: 816-343-4558

Note: If you suspect exploitation, contact local law enforcement or the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888) or text “HELP” to 233733.

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