Crazy Church Ladies: The Priceless Story of an Unlikely Group Winning the War Against Trafficking

by Gwen Adams

What happens when ordinary churchgoing women heed the radical call of an extraordinary God? The sex trafficking trade is an ugly, messy, and complicated crisis in desperate need of intervention, but it is easier to stay out of it and pray from a safe distance. However, the church is not called to be safe. In Crazy Church Ladies , Gwen Adams recounts how she and her group of church ladies became crime-fighting machines to upend the world of trafficking in their city. Their program, Priceless, has become a multifaceted wrecking ball to the crime of human trafficking in their home state of Alaska. But they still focus on the simple truth that as they invest wholeheartedly in the few, they will reach the masses with the hope of the gospel message. Crazy Church Ladies lays out a blueprint for the church to be the church. In a world with so much conversation about the church and social justice, this story shows how the church can live into its primary calling, to make disciples and impact the surrounding culture in ways that no government, law enforcement, or community activism can. Get to know the real Crazy Church Ladies and eventually, the men, too, as they encounter victims of trafficking and the worst abuse you could ever imagine. In the most unlikely place, among people with nothing in common, life-changing friendship emerges. The stories will break hearts, but unbroken hearts rarely change the world. In the end, the reader will see the astounding beauty that can only emerge from the darkest of places. What happens when ordinary churchgoing women heed the radical call of an extraordinary God? It breaks their hearts and brings true hope and healing to the world around them.

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2021

Reviews

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shattered my heart. To get a glimpse of the reality we are living in is both heartbreaking and angering. I can only hope to be a tiny sliver of help to those rescued.


In another note … there were a few key factors about the reality of “church life” I thought were vastly important. We need to acknowledge the need for community, but also the need to call that community higher.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could give this 4.5 stars. I loved this book and found myself nodding along to much of what Adams wrote. The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was that I felt the ending lacked something. Maybe Adams will write another book with more detail on just how they got Priceless going, what roadblocks they have faced, etc.

[Laura Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have liked more info on Priceless and if it’s expanding into other states. Not discounting the work or what is being done, but I felt the author was not very humble in a few parts of the book…and like another reviewer said, the end felt rushed to get info in about Priceless and other programs.

[Mishon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the title but the subtitle is misleading and I really dislike when books do that. The fight against human trafficking doesn’t start til over half way through the book. And since it there’s only 154 pages in total that didn’t leave much time for the story that is implied by the subtitle.
It really felt like two separate short stories, the first part was more about her church ministry and her growth in realizing the change that needed to happen with that and her figuring out her role within the church as a woman. The second part, the last 90 or so pages talked about Priceless (their organization that works with trafficked women) and a couple specific people who have been helped by the organization.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling book that was a quick read.

[Kerri Lonkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put down, read in one day. Gut retching and eye opening.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting story and very much a push to do more with our faith and our walk.

[Deena Rumsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I highly recommend to anyone!

[Debra Rhoads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening and inspiring. A short but impactful read. Definitely would recommend if you are searching for how to follow God as a woman in the church.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick re-read because later today I will meet the courageous women who live with full- throttle compassion for women and children nearly eating alive by the sex trafficking industry.