Our Guest: Dawn Gibler
Dawn has experienced the rescue of the Lord in her own life, and now she has devoted herself to helping others find freedom. A wife and mother of five sons, two daughters-in-law, and a golden doodle, Dawn was a middle school English teacher before God called her to help rescue women from sex trafficking. Now on staff at a ministry that intervenes in trafficking cases, she witnesses firsthand the powerful hand of God rescuing daughters and sons from the darkness of the sex trade.
Key Thoughts and Scriptures:
Psalm 35:10 NIV “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
🔹 A Tumultuous Childhood – Dawn grew up in a home without a strong faith foundation. Her mother abandoned her at the age of four, leaving her with her father, an alcoholic who was abusive. Raised primarily by her grandparents, she experienced continued cycles of abandonment when her mother re-entered her life sporadically. Between both parents, there were a total of nine marriages, resulting in an unstable home life.
🔹 Escaping an Abusive Household – At 14, Dawn ran away from her father’s home due to verbal and physical abuse by her stepmother. She sought refuge with her biological mother, only to find more instability. Her mother encouraged destructive behaviors, equating popularity with partying and promiscuity. Despite trying to earn her mother’s love through achievement, Dawn ultimately succumbed to the unhealthy lifestyle her mother promoted.
🔹 A Broken Marriage and a Search for Stability – In college, Dawn met and married a man who seemed to offer the stable family life she craved. However, their 12-year marriage was filled with emotional abuse and, eventually, physical violence. After enduring years of dysfunction, Dawn made the difficult decision to leave, obtaining a protective order to ensure her safety and that of their two children.
🔹 Seeking but Not Finding – Dawn initially sought fulfillment through church activities, believing service equaled spiritual growth. However, she later realized that true transformation required a deep, personal relationship with God.
🔹 A Life-Changing Encounter – A late-night conversation about the Holy Spirit during a game of Monopoly led Dawn to salvation and a deeper understanding of faith.
- Though she got saved, she was not immediately delivered from the trauma of her childhood.
Romans 5:9 NLT And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
Isaiah 61:10 NKJV …He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…
- When He looks at us, everything is perfect because we are covered with the righteousness of Christ Jesus, but we still have to go through that sanctification process, that process of being changed and growing into Christ.
- Dawn threw herself into serving rather than pursuing God.
🔹 Serving Without Balance – Dawn struggled with overcommitting to ministry, neglecting her own healing. Her husband played a vital role in helping her slow down and simply “be” with God.
Psalm 46:10 NKJV Be still, and know that I am God…
🔹 Uncovering Unresolved Trauma – While volunteering with Elijah Rising, Dawn began to recognize signs of past trauma in her own life. Though she had no clear memory of childhood sexual abuse, she saw behavioral patterns that indicated it had likely happened. This realization led her on a healing journey.
- Dawn came to a point of surrendering everything to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 NKJV And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- God can take your anger and frustration.
🔹 Impacting Lives in the Classroom – While still teaching eighth grade, Dawn educated her students about human trafficking. Her efforts helped raise awareness, ultimately leading to the intervention in one case, while law enforcement recovered another girl. Tragically, a third girl remains missing. These experiences helped shape Dawn’s transition into full-time anti-trafficking ministry.
🔹 Stepping into Full-Time Ministry – Dawn eventually left teaching to become the Awareness Director at Elijah Rising. Now, as the Intervention Director, she leads teams that minister to women trapped in exploitation.
🔹 Rescuing Through Relationship – Rather than calling themselves a “rescue organization,” Elijah Rising focuses on empowering women through the truth that Jesus brings. Their teams build relationships by visiting strip clubs, cantinas, massage parlors, and street corners, speaking identity over those they encounter. When individuals are ready to leave, they help them escape safely.
Romans 8:28 NKJV And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
- Whatever the Lord has brought us out of, God did it for our good, but He also wants us to share it with others so they can be rescued as well.
🔹 A Biblical Inspiration – Dawn draws encouragement from the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. Identifying as a “Martha” by nature, she learned that true transformation came when she finally sat at the feet of Jesus and surrendered everything to Him.
Luke 10:38-42 NKJV …“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.
- It wasn’t until Dawn sat at the feet of Jesus did she begin to experience His fullness and to experience true freedom.
Psalm 30: 1-5, 11-12 NLT I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning…You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
🔹 God is such a loving father who rescues us to bring us to Himself. Just as God turned David’s mourning into joyful dancing, He desires to bring freedom to all who surrender to Him.
1 Samuel 26:24 NLT Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles
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