Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking by Raleigh Sadler by Rebecca Hankins

Raleigh Sadler is the director of anti-trafficking non-profit Let My People Go (www.lmpgnetwork.org). In his recent book Vulnerable, he gives readers a new way to approach the difficult work of ministering in the world of human trafficking: embracing your own vulnerability. Though Sadler speaks from his experience and expertise in the trafficking ministry realm, the themes and lessons of Vulnerable are applicable to any reader involved in areas of ministry such as counseling, poverty alleviation, refugee work, and more.

Vulnerable flows from Sadler’s own story, to the story of Let My People Go, to important practical and theological lessons for approaching ministry from a position of vulnerability.

Several chapters center around interviews with experts such as Boz Tchividjian and Diane Langberg, allowing readers to engage with several different voices in this one work, including those of trafficking survivors.

Sadler also includes a chapter that hits closer to home, challenging readers to consider the impact that their everyday choices such as the food we eat and the clothes we buy have on other people in the supply chain of those goods. Each of us are likely involved in exploitation of other human beings by virtue of the goods we consume.

One of the main points I took away from reading Vulnerable is that when we see vulnerable people around us, instead of reacting out of fear, self-protection, mistrust, indifference, guilt, or whatever it may be, we should respond to them as fellow image-bearers and recognize that God has brought each person to where they are for a purpose. We can learn from others just as much as they can learn from us. We can be helped by others just as much as we may perceive they need our help.

As Sadler says, “Jesus Christ motivates vulnerable people, like you and me, to love other vulnerable people by becoming vulnerable for us, to the point of death.” (p. 7) and again,“… as we contemplate [Christ’s] vulnerability for us, we begin to see the myriad of ways that we’re vulnerable. This acceptance of our own limitations creates a level playing field between us and those we’re trying to help … it destroys the ‘us and them’ dichotomy to which we hold, so that we realize we are all vulnerable people who are in need.” (p. 132 ).

At the root of Sadler’s vulnerable approach to ministry is the gospel of Jesus Christ: “With the gospel as our motivation, we can give value to those whom we have devalued. We can show mercy because we have been shown mercy.” (p. 216) Believers are encouraged throughout the book to remember who we are and who others are in light of Christ.

I would recommend Vulnerable to anyone who wants to learn more about anti-human trafficking ministry or any other ministry with vulnerable populations. Church leaders should read this book as well, as Sadler’s overall ministry seeks to equip churches to recognize and respond to signs of trafficking in their own communities. Any believer would benefit from reading this book by becoming more equipped to love their vulnerable neighbors and by gaining a deeper perspective of the value of their own vulnerability.