Courageous Compassion: A Sunday with GenerateHope
St. Peter’s Welcomes Annie Rodriguez to the Pulpit
On June 29, we were blessed to hear from Annie Rodriguez, Executive Director of GenerateHope, a San Diego-based nonprofit providing long-term housing and trauma-informed, Christ-centered care to survivors of sex trafficking.
Annie’s sermon, rooted in Luke 9:51–62, invited us into a powerful reflection on what it means to truly follow Jesus—even when it costs something. She reminded us that when Jesus “set his face toward Jerusalem,” he was walking straight into betrayal, suffering, and death. But he went anyway, driven by a mission of love and liberation. That same heart for the hurting is what drives the work of GenerateHope.
From Trauma to Transformation
We heard the story of Leah, a young woman whose journey illustrates the deep pain of exploitation—and the hope of restoration. Leah arrived at GenerateHope after being trapped in a life of abuse for 4 years. And it had all started when she was just 16.
She arrived with just 3 days of sobriety. Through 12-step programs, counseling, and support from the loving community at GenerateHope, Leah began to heal. She rebuilt her education, earned a 4.0 GPA in college, and today is pursuing an advanced degree while walking in freedom.
Leah’s transformation is a testament to the gospel at work in real time: healing the brokenhearted, setting captives free, and offering new life.
The Cost of Compassion
At the heart of Annie’s message was a truth that resonated deeply: “Following Jesus requires courageous compassion.” It’s not a comfortable path. Jesus made this clear when he said,
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
The staff and volunteers at GenerateHope live this out daily—staying up late to offer crisis care, mentoring survivors through relapses, and sacrificing time and comfort to reflect the love of Christ.
“This isn’t convenient work,” Annie said. “It’s sacred work.” And it’s work the church is called to support—through prayer, generosity, advocacy, and presence.
A Church That Walks Forward
At the close of her sermon, Annie shared a sobering reality: San Diego is one of the top eight regions in the U.S. for sex trafficking, with an estimated 8,000 victims locally. The average victim is just 14 to 16 years old. The problem is real—and it’s local.
But Annie also shared hope. Through Christ, healing is possible. Through the church, transformation is within reach. And through ministries like GenerateHope, survivors are finding new life.
An Invitation to Respond
Annie left the congregation with a powerful question: Will you follow Jesus into the hard places?
Not everyone is called to run a recovery home.
But everyone is called to care.
Whether through prayer, giving, volunteering, or simply refusing to look away, each member of the body of Christ has a role to play in offering healing, dignity, and freedom.
Former Thrift Shop Manager Valerie Rieger (left) and Founder of GenerateHope Susan Munsey (right)
At St. Peter’s, we’re proud to support GenerateHope and the sacred work they do. We encourage all who heard this message—or are reading it now—to consider how you, too, can be part of God’s restoring love in the world.
To learn more or support this ministry, visit generatehope.org.
