In 2007 Jessica Thorne was introduced to the reality of sex trafficking through survivors she met in Nepal. After coming home to the States she knew her sense of “normal” had changed and felt a deep desire to take action. She asked God to show her how she could make a difference in the lives of those enslaved. A short time later the Lord gave her a vision to educate people and raise the awareness of human trafficking and the sex slave industry. She invited others to join her and within a few months they had organized a benefit concert featuring local artists and Ten Shekel Shirt; giving all the proceeds from the evening to Love 146.

The first benefit concert was eye-opening for many people. As is still the case, many were not aware of the horrors of human trafficking and the sex trade in our world. In 2008 they decided to push into their vision even more to see how awareness of these issues could be raised to a higher level. Along with another benefit concert, they included a two-part movie and discussion night, as well as a book study on Not For Sale (by David Batstone). The event was called Purchased – inspired by Revelation 5:9.* While attending a Love 146 conference in the fall of 2010, they felt the Lord clearly telling them to move forward and establish a more permanent movement here in Indianapolis.  Early in 2011 Purchased became Common Ground Christian Church’s first launching partner (designed to support and encourage new faith based organizations) and began working on its 501(c)(3) status in order to become a non-profit organization.

The Purchased team has changed over the last few years and the vision has expanded, but the initial desire remains the same – empowering communities to end modern day slavery.

 

 

* “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation…” Revelation 5:9