Survivor Celebration Retreat

One of Saddleback’s 500 ministries is the Local Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative, designed to raise awareness, educate, and offer hands-on opportunities to eradicate human trafficking.

Built on Daring Faith, the ministry hosts support groups using the Daring Faith small group curriculum. Each month, they take steps to provide outreach events, emergency housing for rescued girls, and survivor support for healing and recovery. 

That’s why this month the Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative hosted the first annual Survivor Celebration Retreat at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano. From February 9–10, eight women and their children came together for a time of rest, relaxation, and healing in a God-inspired environment.  

Acting as a mini-vacation, the retreat was a time to pamper these women with beauty treatments, gifts, food, love, and support. Included in the schedule were hair-styling sessions, free childcare, painting classes, and journaling workshops. As a keepsake, each woman was gifted a personalized handmade quilt.

Centered around the theme, “Healing with Jesus,” the event featured live worship and a special message by guest speaker, Katie. Her discussion on “Dreaming with Jesus” brought about a renewed hope for the women, emphasizing that God has designed each one with a purpose.

At the completion of her message, Katie gave every woman a “Dream Journal.” She stressed that although dreaming after trauma is hard, God still has an abundant plan for their lives.

While all eight women came from different walks of life, the one thing they had in common was the horror of being trafficked. Despite their survival, the majority still struggle as single moms facing financial and emotional hardships.

That’s why the retreat was so rehabilitating, explains Ann of the Human Trafficking Outreach, who helps lead the ministry with her husband, Howie. “The retreat was a chance to remind these women that they are amazing and courageous,” says Ann. “They were acknowledged for their hard work and were comforted by the loving embrace of our heavenly Father.”

The main goal was to offer survivors a respite from their daily lives and celebrate how far they’ve come in restoration. It also served as an opportunity for volunteers to pour love into these women and encourage them in their spiritual journey. Over shared meals and bonfire conversations, several team leaders felt a natural nudging to share their faith with survivors and other volunteers.

“New relationships were formed,” says Ann, “We all cried, sang, and laughed together — recognizing that God can bring healing, no matter what our past and what we’ve endured.”

Helping streamline the event were key volunteers Ellie, Kathie, Janice, and Sally who led the children’s program. Other volunteers, including Lisa, organized the event and made sure that everything ran smoothly. She also joined the women for stretching exercises by the lake to help relieve stress and start the day with energy.

"We have an amazing team of volunteers who have consistently portrayed the love of Jesus," says Ann. "I am honored to walk this journey in faith with each of them."

Leading the celebratory BBQ were Mark and Cindy; heading up worship were David, Amber, Stephen, and Stephanie. Acting as photographer was Michelle who took family portraits for the women; Alaina arranged donations and volunteer support. Veronica, Ana, and Sandie were on hand to provide encouragement; Barbara and Leslie created the personalized handmade quits, bags and wallets; Volunteers including Janet, Kathleen, Kathy, Caroline, Dana, Cindy, and Bernie were all instrumental in planning and execution of the event; Janelle and Pastor Brandon were such a blessing in allowing this event to take place at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano.

The greatest takeaways however, were the personal testimonies of transformation and healing.

“I was wowed by the survivors’ stories of courage, faith, and renewal,” says Local Human Trafficking team member, Cindy. “These women have overcome the odds and are breaking a cycle of violence and brokenness. With God’s power, they are healing from deep wounds and are able to provide loving, stable homes for their children. By no means is it an easy road for them, but they are pushing ahead with God’s promises and hope for a better future.”

After the success of this inaugural event, plans are in place to host an annual Survivor Celebration Retreat for years to come.

“As a leader, I will forever be transformed by remembering the beautiful smiles on the girls’ faces as they left the retreat,” says Ann. “I am so blessed and it is such a privilege to be able to witness the miracles.”

To be part of Saddleback’s Local Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative, email LocalHumanTrafficking@Saddleback.com.  (*Names have been changed to protect the identify of subjects.)