When Angels Fight: My Story of Escaping Sex Trafficking and Leading a Revolt Against the Darkness

by Leslie King

Overview

"Powerful. . . . This book is not about the darkness, but about the way Leslie found the light and the grace-filled God who walked with her every step of the way." —Jo Lembo, Director of Faith Initiatives and National Outreach at Shared Hope International


Leslie King was only 15 years old when she was trapped in a life of prostitution. She became one of the thousands of sex-trafficked individuals in the United States, often invisible to "regular" people who know nothing of the seedy underside of that life. Sold by men who promised love but delivered only heartache and caught in drug addiction to escape from the pain, Leslie's life offered little future and no hope.

Then God spoke.

And Leslie answered his call, putting all her trust in God to deliver her. She got clean, got off the streets, and started rescuing other prostituted individuals. Today Leslie is a passionate and heroic advocate for trafficked women and girls in her community and across the country.

More than a gritty, no-holds-barred deliverance story, When Angels Fight also includes stories from those Leslie has encountered in her work—police officers, judges, and other advocates and activists. Leslie also arms you with what you need to fight alongside her to make a difference in your own community. Walk this hard road with her, and you'll grieve, you'll be empowered—and you'll never be the same.


"The world of sex-trafficking is dark and filled with things you think can only be on television. Leslie helps you to understand that sex trafficking can hit close to home and that any family can be impacted by it." —Senita Lenear, Third Ward Commissioner, City of Grand Rapids

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825446894
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	02/15/2022
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	485,808
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Leslie F. King is the founder of Sacred Beginnings, an organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that takes in former prostituted individuals, supporting them in addiction counseling, job training, and community building. She is an activist for trafficked and jailed women across the country, including high-profile cases of women who’ve killed their abusers in self-defense. Leslie has appeared on The Today Show, on other news programs, in courtrooms, and in front of many community organizations and churches to tell her story. This is her first book.

Table of Contents

Foreword Rebecca Bender 11

Introduction 15

1 What's Love? 17

2 The Process 31

3 The Stroll 44

4 Staying 57

5 Hitting the Bottom 70

6 Freedom 84

7 Life Renewed 98

8 Moving Forward 115

9 Rebirth 128

10 Life Lessons 145

Conclusion 160

Acknowledgments 163

Suggested Resources 165

About the Author 169

Editorial Reviews

"This book is a powerful read! Leslie takes you on a journey into her life. Each chapter has you hanging on, anticipating the ending. Everyone needs to own a copy of the book."

Tashawna Gill

"The in-depth world of sex trafficking is dark and filled with things you think only happen on television. Leslie helps you to understand that sex trafficking can hit close to home and any family can be impacted by it. Our community is blessed to have her using her testimony for the greater good."

Senita Lenear

Leslie has battled the devil and won the war, presenting herself worthy of the challenge to use her voice, knowledge, courage, fight, and the Word of God in her mouth to be a soul gatherer. As you journey through this book, let not the stories of this hard road be the impressions left on your heart. But see Leslie King as chosen by God. This journey of faith against all odds is a shero-ism like no other and a Kingly quest to use Leslie’s crucible to help rescue God’s garden of flowers who are just beginning to blossom.

Shondrella Avery

"When Angels Fight is a brave memoir of God's passionate love to save his children. Leslie King shares her vulnerable story of redemption and, in so doing, teaches all of us how to love and minister to those we often judge and dismiss. Christians are called by Jesus to love the downtrodden; I am grateful Leslie has stepped up to be our guide."

Noah Filipiak

"Thank you for the opportunity to meet Leslie; little Leslie, Big Leslie, Candy, and the Leslie who has made the journey to find herself. The Leslie that God always loved and who wept with her through the running and the darkness to become the Leslie that she was meant to be. . . . This book is not about the darkness, but about the way Leslie found the light and the grace-filled God who walked with her every step of the way."

Jo Lembo

"Leslie is a fierce advocate for women. I am amazed and in awe of her story. She tells a story that needs to be heard and shared with the world. This is a ‘must-read’ for everyone. It is honest and based on facts. I salute Leslie and her work."

Tyrone Carter

"Leslie King’s harrowing experience as a young woman surviving on the streets while facing sexual exploitation, substance use disorder, and shocking violence, is tragically not rare. But her transformation from victim to champion truly inspires. She has returned to those same shadowy corners to help others fight their way out and has committed her life to saving theirs. She offers love and hope to all who are suffering and instructs others who have the power to help. A must-read for all medical professionals."

Leslie Pelkey