Tallowood members join Interstate intercession for trafficking victims

HOUSTON—Against the buzzing background of cars, trucks and big rigs traveling Interstate 10, members of Tallowood Baptist Church take a monthly stand against human trafficking that occurs on the highway behind them.

Robin Moore gathers with other members of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston at 10 a.m. on the 10th day every month to pray for an end to human trafficking along I-10. (PHOTO/John Hall/BGCT)

At 10 a.m. on the 10th day of each month, about 10 members of the congregation participate in a nationwide call for churches to pray for the end of human trafficking. Research indicates Interstate 10 is one of the primary corridors for transporting people against their will. The U.S. Department of Justice has labeled it a "superhighway for human trafficking," from Los Angeles, Calif., to Jacksonville, Fla.

While some observers would call the gathering in a strip center off the I-10 service road a prayer meeting, participants view it as spiritual warfare—engaging in battle against the darkness that is trafficking. They petition God for the needs of anti-trafficking efforts, pray for victims and ask that God change the hearts of perpetrators.

The prayer force extends across the city, with people setting alarms on their phones that remind them to pray at the same time as the group. Individuals pray at work. Mothers pray with their children.

The prayers represent each person's deep desire to help victims of sex and labor trafficking. Their plight leads Tallowood members to intercede on their behalf.

"I can't handle the fact that young women and men are being lured into this without any hope," said Robin Moore, who spearheads the Tallowood effort. "I lay awake at night thinking about this."

Beverly Breaux, who participates in the group prayer each month, believes the presence of domestic trafficking is a travesty that congregations must step up to stop.

"It happens in the dark," she said. "If we can shine light on it, it will go away."

Moore believes the prayer effort has made a difference. As word has spread about it, more people have been made aware about human trafficking. As a result, more people are praying. Members have participated in collection drives for anti-trafficking groups.

People involved in the prayer initiative have seen "miraculous answers" as God has met needs and arrests have risen dramatically since the prayer group began, Moore said.

Moore would like to see other congregations join in the 10 at 10 for I-10 prayer initiative, believing the movement has a greater impact the larger it grows. Individuals looking for help starting such a group in their church can contact Moore at rrmoore54@sbcglobal.net for assistance.

Helping others join the fight against trafficking reflects Moore's heart, which yearns for the freedom of every trafficking victim.

"I do it because I care about these girls," she said.