Missions Pulse episode 43: Jenni Sue Jessen

Missions Pulse 043: Jenni Sue Jessen

On this episode of Missions Pulse, David Joannes interviews Jenni Sue Jessen, author of The Lucky One and the founder of Compass 31 which exists to make Jesus known by fighting human trafficking through prevention, restoration, and disciple-making.

Jenni lays her soul bare as she describes being sold into the sex trade by her grandfather at age four. The abuse lasted until she was a teenager. She talks about her failed suicide, how God forms beauty from brokenness, how her organization is rescuing and empowering young women, and how everyone has unique giftedness to display God’s beauty.

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Jenni Sue Jessen says she’s not special, but her life experience did equip her to do special things. She runs an organization that does anti-human trafficking because she was sexually exploited as a child. Multiple times. For over a decade. Then God rescued her from the darkness and came to her aid. “But what incredible audacity that God has,” she ruminates, “that He would rescue me from the darkness then ask me to step back into it.” And yet… the light shines best in the darkness.

“Girl, get off your cross!” That’s what Jenni Sue Jessen felt like Jesus told her during her missionary journey. He is the one and only Savior. Though missionaries have a strong sense of belief and responsibility, we are simply co-laborers with Christ, not co-saviors.

Jenni Sue Jessen says many times we think we are doing the victims of sexual exploitation a favor when we rescue them from trafficking and provide a minimum wage job. Often this looks like jewelry-making. But does this mindset speak to our underlying presupposition of how we view those rescued from exploitation? Jenni is empowering girls to create high-dollar products that people actually want. She wants to love people toward Jesus and help them become catalysts for cultural change.

“I was sold into the sex trade by my grandfather at the age of four.” That’s how Jenni Sue Jessen begins this conversation. What follows is a riveting story of brokenness and redemption.

Secular organizations working in the anti-trafficking world find that 9 out of 10 rescued victims will return to the sex trade. The exact opposite is true of Christian organizations where 9 out of 10 rescued lives will stay free. In fact, Jenni Sue Jessen’s favorite biblical characters is the woman at the well. Her words ring true of the anti-trafficking work Jenni finds herself amidst. The woman says, “I know this: the Messiah is coming.” That’s Jenni’s mantra and the mantra of Compass 31 as they use Priceless Cube to provide prevention through education.

“You can’t give your heart away and get it back again,” Jenni Sue Jessen says. “It is forever given away.” This is what happened to her after she welcomed mothers and children into her home many years ago. It was the birth of Compass 31, the ministry God gave her to manage. “I gave away my heart, not regrettably, though it was deeply costly. It is, in fact, profoundly beautiful to witness His redemption come into play over and over again.”

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Have you ever wondered what makes a missionary tick? What are the underlying motivations of those who cross cultural, geographical, and linguistic boundaries for the sake of Jesus Christ? What compels them to take such extreme measures and why do their actions still inspire Christians worldwide? In The Mind of a Missionary, David Joannes challenges you to find your role in God’s glorious Kingdom narrative. He draws upon history, psychology, life experience, and powerful storytelling to reshape your perception of God’s unique plan for your life. Purchase this book at Amazon today.

Links mentioned in the show:

https://compass31.org/

https://compass31.org/the-lucky-one/

http://www.pricelesscube.com/