Ohio Pastor Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Child

Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of a person by the threat or use of force, fraud, deception, or coercion, or the giving or receiving of unlawful payments for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. A trafficking victim, then, is someone who is being threatened, deceived, and/or coerced for the benefit of another. There are other articles outlining exactly what the Bible teaches about human trafficking. But what does it say about the victims?

God sees them as victims of a crime. Slavery is illegal in every country of the world, although some countries enforce the law more than others. In many cases, trafficking involves some kind of kidnapping, which was punishable by death in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 24:7) and identified as lawless, rebellious, and ungodly in the New Testament (1 Timothy 1:9–10). Slavery was allowed and supported by the civil authorities in the time of the New Testament, and Paul did encourage slaves to submit to their masters and the system (Ephesians 6:5–8; Colossians 3:22–24), knowing that, if they didn’t, they faced branding or execution. But since slave owners no longer have the legal right to own slaves, these exhortations become largely moot.

God sees them as images of Himself. Every trafficking victim is precious. In Luke 15:1–10, Jesus illustrates how valuable each individual is to Him. He gave up everything “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), no matter where they are or how they got lost. Every single trafficking victim was made in the image of God, and nothing that happens to them can change that.

TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo pastor was sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, while another Toledo pastor was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for similar crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Cordell Jenkins, 48, sexually exploited a minor on numerous occasions at his home, his office at Abundant Life Ministries and a motel in Toledo. He paid the minor, calling the transaction “hush money,” according to authorities.

Court documents showed that Jenkins recorded the interactions on his cell phone, authorities said.

Jenkins, Kenneth Butler, 39, and another pastor, Anthony Haynes, sexually assaulted a minor over the course of three years, according to authorities.

Jenkins has maintained that he thought the girl was an adult.

Another minister charged in the case was sentenced Friday to 17 years while a third minster is to be sentenced in June.

God loves trafficking victims. God so loved those caught in sex trafficking and labor trafficking that He sent His Son to die for their sins and reconcile them to a loving relationship with Him. There is nothing that needs to change in the life of a trafficking victim before she can accept that love (John 3:36; Romans 5:8). It doesn’t matter what has happened to her or what she has done (Romans 6:23). God is ready to accept her and start the healing process.

In some ways, God sees human trafficking victims the same way He sees everyone else—lost people caught in a fallen world in need of love, hope, and forgiveness. In other ways, God hears their cries a little louder. He is protective of the laborer who is cheated from his wages (1 Timothy 5:18). And in the Old Testament Law, the only transgression punishable by death through the witness of a single female witness was rape when no one could hear her screams (Deuteronomy 22:25–27).

If you are a victim of human trafficking—sex or labor—there is hope. In the U.S., call 911 or 1-888-3737-888. In Asia, contact Liberty Asia, and in Europe, LaStrada International.

But, most importantly, know that the God of the universe cares for you. No matter what your circumstances, no matter what has happened to you or what you’ve done, He sent His Son so that you could experience His love. Reach out to Him today.

StevieRay Hansen
Editor, HNewsWire.com

It is impossible to find anyone in the Bible who was a power for God who did not have enemies and was not hated.

Like Joseph and Daniel of the Old Testament who served secular kings, we are called to serve everyone and help them fulfill their divine destiny. Jesus made it clear that people who want to lead or be great must be the servants of all. Serving is the way of leadership in the kingdom.

Forcing our way onto the world is not great leadership. Some accuse us of doing this very thing because we speak up on moral issues. It is important that we speak up on issues, but it’s also equally important that we love everyone no matter their persuasions.

Someday Jesus will rule the world; in the meantime, we should just serve well and let our good works speak of our Father who loves everyone.

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