Our Story

The exploitation of young girls and children is one of the darkest corruptions today, and it’s largely hidden from the American eye. LightForce International Ministry Founder and Director Anna Carroll knew little about the it until God miraculously focused her heart on the abuses that were breaking His. With confidence that God’s light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it, Anna made herself available to minister in this dangerous fight.

Here, in her own words, is the story of how Anna’s eyes were opened to this great need:

While pursuing a medical career in Lexington, KY and working with several ministries through my local church, I felt a tug. It was time to go. I’d gone on several short-term mission trips, but thought that someday God would call me to mission work full-time. When He called me to work with children in Costa Rica, I closed down my American life and said, “God, take me where You will. I want to be Your hands and feet. Write my story, Your version, Your way.”

Once I arrived in Costa Rica, I realized that it wasn’t my story that would be the focus. He wanted to share with me the stories of thousands of hungry, abandoned, and exploited children.

One image stands out in particular. In Costa Rica I saw a bright-pink backpack bobbing up and down on the back of one of the cutest little girls I have ever seen. The 10-year-old bounded up to me, wrapped her arms around me, and introduced herself. She had just returned from school. As she ran off to play, a woman told me her story. As often the case turns out to be with child prostitutes, her impoverished family sold her at a very young age to a hotel to be used as a prostitute. They sold her for $7. She was later rescued and placed in a Christian shelter where she now lives.

Perhaps much like it did to me, this story is bringing tears to your eyes and has you calling out to our Father, who alone can rescue and heal these children. Right now I’m working with churches in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. One Nicaraguan congregation in particular has a huge heart (but few resources) to reach sexually exploited youth in the area.

I have been so privileged to see the looks of hope in eyes that once looked hopeless. We invite women and children from both countries to our rescue fiestas, and – against tradition – they are coming. No door remains closed to us because the way is paved by the prayers of his people.

Costa Rica and Nicaragua are just the beginning. Christ longs to crush human trafficking, and I pray he uses LightForce to stamp it out from every nation.

We desire to equip local churches with the necessary resources to combat this issue, all the while preaching the gospel, our message of hope.

God reigns, and He is good,
Anna Carroll
Founder and Director of LightForce International Ministries