Published October 18, 2017
Buddy and Jen Rathmell
When Buddy (’96) and Jen (Rupp) Rathmell (’05) learned about the atrocity of human trafficking, they knew God was calling them to do something about it. The couple responded by founding Stop Slavery in 2010. The organization supports missionaries in Cambodia, India and Thailand and connects churches and individuals who are instrumental in shutting down slave industries in those countries.
Igniting a Passion
This passion for missions began at Clarks Summit University’s Global Ministry Conference during Buddy Rathmell’s freshman year. The youth ministry major was a standout soccer captain, active in student government and host of numerous student socials. Rathmell looks back on his days at CSU with thankfulness for the people he met. He says, “The lifelong friendships that I developed at CSU have both encouraged and strengthened me over the years since then.” He also credits his professors and friends for spurring him toward an authentic walk with Jesus. Jen Rathmell graduated from CSU with her Masters in Counseling in 2005.
Discovering a Life Mission
During a ministry trip in Japan in 2009, the Rathmells learned about human trafficking. They were devastated over it and prayed fervently that God would move and end it. Then, Buddy Rathmell realized God was asking him to be part of the solution. They started Stop Slavery that year and moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand two years following, where they still reside.
Stop Slavery started small. So small, in fact, that the Rathmells felt like nothing was happening. They now see that during this time God was laying the foundation for their future. The Rathmells partnered with an organization called Exodus Road to set up The Freedom Foundation, through which they established a school, a church and a few safe houses. Efforts through the Freedom Foundation led to one of the largest trafficking arrests ever, with over 150 arrest warrants and over 94 arrests.
Inspiring a New Generation
Buddy Rathmell says, “Whether it has been in corporate America, as a youth pastor, working in anti-human trafficking or business as mission, I have sought to follow Christ with my whole heart, and I am thankful for the professors, staff and other students that God brought into my life at CSU and how they have continued to spur me on in my walk with the Lord.” The Rathmells currently focus on inspiring the younger generation to step into human trafficking ministries and connecting Thai churches with individuals to start new projects in the country. Learn more at StopSlavery.org.
Heather (Sagnor) Lieberman (’18) is a Communications-Writing major from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
