As a staff, we spend a lot of time educating about what Switch does. And while that is a huge part of who we are, lately I have been reflecting more and more about who Switch is as a whole.
So many times, people ask if Switch is an acronym that stands for something. It is not, but Isaiah 42:16 is the verse Switch was founded on. It says:
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”
While Switch is a nonprofit and ministry, what makes us who we are is our calling. Part of our calling is found in Isaiah 42:16. We have been called to turn darkness into light. It means that while He may lead us along unfamiliar paths to get there, He will guide us. He will make the rough places smooth, and most importantly He will not forsake us. The best part is that these promises are true for all who serve at Switch and are served by Switch.
Our mission statement will show you that we exist to end sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Upstate. Again, this is an important piece to describe who Switch is, but the reality is there is also much more.
We are a group of people that God has called to do His work. We do His work by developing the five programs to carry out the mission statement. More importantly, Switch is a group of sinners saved by grace. It is a group of people who have seen God’s redeeming love and power restore their own lives and have a desire to share that with others. It is a group of people who feel the weight of reaching those who have experienced some of the worst injustices imaginable. It is a group of people who desire to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
Switch is made up of not only staff, but volunteers and the Board of Directors. Together this creates an army to fight a very dark spiritual battle that is going on in the world around us, right here in the Upstate, right here in your backyard. Each person has a desire and calling to see trafficking and sexual exploitation end from a holistic perspective.
Our desire is to see people educated and have awareness of what trafficking and exploitation are, and how it impacts our community and the lives of women, men, and children. Our hope is to prevent it from happening more by educating young people, parents, and those most at risk. This may include intervening in the lives of some at risk populations where it already may have happened or may soon happen.
We also pray to be able to provide a space for men to be educated so that they can understand the connections among trafficking, exploitation, pornography, and buying sex. We pray and hope to be able to provide a healing space for those who need it from the sexual addictions that drive the demand. This would mean having resources for men, women, teenagers, and families.
We seek to provide a space for anyone who wants help restoring their lives from the life of trafficking and exploitation. This is a life-long process as healing is not quick or linear. It is very complex and complicated. Yet we truly believe that relationships are key, and we seek to walk with women as they make their journey towards freedom and healing.
All the programs and hopes mentioned exist because of the calling God has placed on Switch. We exist because God called us to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, release prisoners from darkness, comfort all those who mourn and provide for those who grieve. We are called to share how God can give the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. We are called to help plant seeds, cultivate, and water the oaks of righteousness the Lord is creating to show His splendor. We are called to show how God can renew devastated generations, turn shame into a double portion of freedom, turn disgrace into joy, and give crowns of beauty from ashes.
This is who Switch is and seeks to be daily. Please consider letting us know how the Lord might be leading to you to be a part of the fight to end human trafficking and exploitation. You can contact us at info@switchsc.org to receive more information.
