Dr. Amanda C. Montgomery is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Her clinical work in Olympia, Washington, brought her into close contact with survivors of sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. Over time, her combined roles in therapy and pastoral ministry deepened her concern for raising awareness about human trafficking and working toward prevention.

She later earned a Doctor of Ministry in Innovative Leadership in Changing Cultures from Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS), where her research focused on educating churches and communities to address trafficking. That work became the basis for her book, Human Trafficking: A Bible Study on Awareness and Prevention, published by The Foundry in 2025.

Dr. Montgomery is the founder of Olympia Pastoral Counseling and speaks regularly on trafficking prevention within Christian contexts. She recently returned to NTS to discuss her new book and the ministry that continues to flow from it.

Q: What led you to focus on human trafficking for your dissertation?

As a therapist, I worked closely with survivors of trauma and sexual assault. I was especially drawn to people with anxiety, PTSD, and related struggles. When I entered pastoral ministry, I saw the clear overlap between trauma care and ministry. That intersection led me to focus on human trafficking for my doctoral work. I’m not a trafficking survivor myself, but I’ve worked with many who are. I see myself as an ally who is committed to listening, learning, and advocating.

Q: When did you realize the project might be publishable?

At NTS, I could write a traditional dissertation or pursue a shorter version alongside a creative artifact. A faculty mentor told me, “Do what will best serve the Church.” I developed a six-week curriculum as my artifact. That became the foundation of the book. The Foundry Publishing partnered with me to turn it into a practical resource for churches and small groups. I’m grateful to offer something that speaks to this urgent need.

Q: Who is the book for?

It’s written for a wide audience—survivors, anti-trafficking groups, churches that want to get involved, and even perpetrators seeking personal change. It can be used by individuals, small groups, or entire congregations. The goal is to help readers better understand human trafficking, trauma, and the Church’s role in prevention and care.

Q: Has human trafficking existed for a long time?

Yes, it’s not a modern problem. Scripture speaks to it on multiple occasions. Joseph’s story in Genesis 37 is a clear example. His brothers debated killing him, but ultimately sold him into slavery, what we now call labor trafficking. While Joseph’s story ends with restoration, that’s not the case with many today. The Bible’s witness reminds us that exploitation and injustice have long existed.

Q: Where does trafficking occur?

Everywhere. It’s a global issue, but also shockingly local. During my research, I had to come to terms with the fact that common items—coffee, diamonds, phones—are often linked to labor trafficking. These are difficult truths, but we must face them to understand the issues and pursue justice.

Q: Did you think of specific survivors you knew while writing your book?

Absolutely. I spoke with several anti-trafficking leaders who are also survivors. Many shared how painful and triggering it can be when well-meaning Christians lack understanding. Passion without knowledge can cause harm. That shaped the heart of my project—to give the Church tools to engage with wisdom, compassion, and humility.

Q: What does trafficking look like in real life?

It often targets people society overlooks—especially minors who are isolated, marginalized, and seeking belonging. Victims are coerced into forced labor or sexual exploitation. To be clear, trafficking isn’t mainly about lust—it’s about power and profit. It affects women, men, and even children. It can occur between people who know each other, including among minors, where grooming behavior takes place. And it rarely looks like it does in the movies; it’s often subtle and happens close to home.

Q: How does grooming work?

Grooming usually starts with emotional manipulation—phrases like, “No one understands you like I do.” From there, explicit photos may be obtained and used for blackmail. The resulting control is psychological and leaves the victim feeling trapped and powerless.

Q: Is there a link between trafficking and sexual addiction?

Yes, there is. Pornography is a prevalent issue and can lead to sex addiction. Often, pornographic images are actual images of sex trafficking making the consumer complicit as a sex buyer. Like other addictions, sexual addiction tends to intensify over time and can lead from images to buying sex, further fueling the trafficking industry. This is an area where churches can become educated and make a significant difference.

Q: What about films like Sound of Freedom? Do they help our understanding?

There are pros and cons. Films like these can raise awareness and show the scale of the problem. Trafficking is now the second-largest criminal industry after drug trafficking and may soon surpass it. But films typically only depict certain kinds of trafficking which can mislead people about what it looks like in their own communities. Real understanding takes deeper education. Trafficking is constantly evolving, especially through digital platforms. After COVID, much of it moved online and onto phones, including grooming practices. A great place to start is with local survivor-informed anti-trafficking non-profits.

Q: What’s the best way to support survivors?

Start with dignity. Listen without judgment. Every survivor’s story is unique. Churches should avoid making assumptions or trying to be experts—they should become safe, supportive allies. We must also acknowledge that traffickers may exist within our own communities. Facing that truth is vital.

Q: What advice would you give to a church just starting to engage with anti-trafficking work?

Approach it with humility. Partner with experts rather than starting alone. I recommend the Polaris Project, a national group founded in 2002 that runs the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Polaris offers a directory of anti-trafficking organizations. Some focus on prevention, others on intervention or survivor care. Find the right partners and walk alongside them in this work.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is another stellar organization. Both national groups provide research-based information. My book is an excellent start for persons and churches wanting to consider this issue more deeply. Interested persons contact me for speaking events, a workshop, or facilitating a 6-week study through Olympia Pastoral Counseling (https://olympiapastoral.com).

Dr. Montgomery, thank you for your time. We are grateful for your work, which is already helping individuals and churches take their first faithful steps in trafficking prevention.

To order Human Trafficking: A Bible Study on Awareness and Prevention, visit The Foundry Publishing or Amazon.