*This episode mentions abuse and may be triggering for some listeners.*
This week, we hear from Chris Edmonds, who shares the story of his father, World War II hero Roddie Edmonds, who was honored with the Medal of Honor for saving hundreds of Jewish American soldiers in a Nazi POW camp.
Next, we’ll hear from Caleb Altmeyer, founder of Helping Captives, who will tell us about a childhood friend’s tragic story, which eventually led him and his family into the fight against sex trafficking.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Jochen Wurfl
Upcoming interview: Giavani Cairo
Interview Quotes:
“From the moment [Dad] surrendered to Christ as a teenager at Vestal United Methodist Church in South Knoxville, God’s Word became his marching orders. And I think that’s what gave him the moral clarity he needed in the worst conditions, because he really understood life from a biblical perspective, and it sealed his moral code to where he wanted to live by that clarity.” - Chris Edmonds
“Dad saved his Jewish men because a Jewish man named Jesus had saved him, had redeemed his life, and redeemed him from his inhumanity to where he could actually be who God wanted him to be.” - Chris Edmonds
“When you stop and think about it, that’s all God expects for us—to do what’s right for Him, for the Lord first, and then for others. If we do what’s right for the Lord, then we’re going to do what’s right for others.” - Chris Edmonds
“Dad being saved in that camp and all of his boys getting out safe—that’s all the Lord’s doing. And then for it to be buried in the ashes of the Holocaust for seventy years before it ever comes to light, that’s all the Lord’s doing. And I think it’s for such a time as this, when we so desperately need to start treating people with the highest respect and honor that God calls us to.” - Chris Edmonds
“When we esteem others better than ourselves, we take people to the place where God resides, for that unconditional love—regardless of who they are, regardless of what we think about them, regardless of how they think about us, we love them with the love of Christ. And that is a love that’s beyond this world, but it’s a love that we have to share through the power of Christ.” - Chris Edmonds
“I shouldn’t be here. My family shouldn’t be here. A lot of those Jewish guys and the POWs in that camp should have been killed, but [Dad] talked the Nazi down and told him the truth and he told him in love. I hope someday in heaven when I’m there with Dad, that the old Nazi’s there and we get to celebrate that we’re all one in the Lord. - Chris Edmonds
“I think, unfortunately, sometimes the movies just help us reiterate in our head, Oh, this is kids in shipping containers, and this happens overseas, when the reality is that a lot of human trafficking is happening in your own community.” - Caleb Altmeyer
“Traffickers exploit unmet needs. And I think one of the greatest needs that we all have is belonging.” - Caleb Altmeyer
“If you have a relationship with your kids, and you’re actively parenting them, and you have a good relationship and know who they’re talking to, the chances of them being trafficked are much lower. I can’t say this enough: build relationships with vulnerable young people. Traffickers are really good at finding vulnerable people. The church should be better at finding them first.” - Caleb Altmeyer
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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Interviews: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7
Video Interviews: https://bit.ly/4f79RAW
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/4q5iTCx
Scripture Series: https://bit.ly/4wAVGKU
Celebrity Readings: https://bit.ly/4bIS5BJ
Video Devotionals: https://bit.ly/4fG1kFb
Sleep Meditations: https://bit.ly/4w0xu37
Shorts: https://bit.ly/3RHFubh
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