Why This Man Left His Job

We leave jobs all the time.  Life happens, things change and we change accordingly.  But it is not everyday you meet a man who leaves a good job -- a rewarding and satisfying job -- to embark into the unknown.  Meet Kirk Falconer, the new CEO of Destiny Rescue (USA).  He is one such man and here is his story: 

Hi Kirk, let's start with the big one. What led to your decision to leave behind your current business and join Destiny Rescue to fight against human trafficking?

There was no earthly reason to leave my business. In every way it was the best opportunity God had ever called me too.

In 2012, my family and I walked past an exhibit with photographs of the rescued girls. From that day forward, God began breaking my heart for these kids in a way I have never experienced before. I remember early one morning, after months of learning how these vulnerable kids are abused, I was praying through the first Chapter of Jeremiah, and God was whispering to my heart “you cannot live with this anymore.” I agreed.

On my first trip to Thailand and Myanmar, I will never forget being in one of the rescue homes. There were 18 girls there that day. As they were introducing themselves, this little girl stood up in the front row and said, in broken English,

I’m Amai Pai, I’m 11 years old.

As she sat back down, it felt like my heart sank with her.

She was about the same size as my daughter who was 8 years old at the time. God has given my family way more than the food and clothing we need and my daughter sleeps in a safe bed every night. But Amai Pai had nothing, and she had been abused in ways a child shouldn’t even know exist. I controlled my tears, for the most part, but once again, I was agreeing with God – I cannot live with this.

What was the reaction from your friends/co-workers/family?

Most have been supportive, but for many, it is difficult to understand this move because it makes no practical sense. I have a beautiful wife, and we had been prayerfully discussing this for months, so she was very supportive.

My daughter’s reaction was the one that surprised me. When I announced the decision, she ran off to her room in tears. When I asked her about her reaction, she said, “So, does this mean you are going to move to Thailand?”

It was easy to reassure her that God wanted us to live together, and that we didn’t have any plans to move. The part I couldn’t perfectly fix was her next objection. She said, “So, you aren’t going to go to church with us anymore, are you.” That is part of it. God wants his children to defend these poor and needy kids. So, Sundays are important work days now.

(Kirk with wife, Nina, and children, Stella and Simon)

Tell us about your involvement in Destiny Rescue prior to this major life changing decision.

For a year and a half, God gave me the opportunity to work half time in my business while volunteering the other 25 hours per week with Destiny Rescue serving as a Regional Manager.

About nine months ago, God began whispering through a handful of people that maybe I should serve as the next CEO. When approached by Barbie Everett, the co-founder of Destiny Rescue USA and acting CEO, I initially said it wasn’t the best role for me. I even prayed that God would raise up someone else. I knew he wanted me to serve full-time with DR, but as CEO? Who am I?

I’m not so proud of this part of the story, but after wrestling with God for months about this, he gave me the same answer I suspect he gives most of us called to anything. He whispered, “I am with you.”

What does this new position entail for you?  What does a “normal day” look like for you?

There really aren’t any normal days. They are a mix of learning non-profit law, talking with donors and church partners, working on strategies for sharing our mission with the church throughout the nation, working with our team to streamline operations, sorting out on-line meetings with international team members in 8 different time zones, speaking with various groups ranging from a handful of mission board members to a chapel service with 3,000.  And, there is also a lot of praying that God would make our staff and volunteers worthy of his calling.

How can Emmanuel continue to support you in this new role and Destiny Rescue as a whole as we fight against human trafficking?

Number 1 is prayer. I am convinced more than ever that the battle is spiritual, and it is real. Another way to support is to continue sending missions teams to see the work first hand. We think of it as a “Vision Trip” that often leads to a mission because it is difficult to meet these kids and not be changed forever. So far, ECC has sent 15 people to visit our Thailand rescue operations on mission trips.

ECC has been a partner in this fight since the fall of 2013. Since then, the ECC team has hosted several very successful jewelry parties which raise awareness, as well as enable Destiny Rescue to provide safe, rewarding work for the girls. In addition, the 2014 Garage Sale provided funds to rescue more than 10 children!

ECC is also supporting many of the DR children through sponsorship, and several members have financed the rescue of children (average cost to rescue is $1,500). Recently we improved our sponsorship program by moving to an Adopt A Home model. This is a beautiful way for us as individuals to adopt a particular rescue home for $35 per month and connect to the small group of rescued girls in that home. This allows us to prayerfully support them and celebrate their progress through quarterly updates that include photos, letters from the girls, as well as success stories, and prayer requests.

One of the most exciting initiatives that ECC has led is the launch of the Race to Rescue in 2014. We have been praying that this would inspire advocates all over the nation to organize races that encourage runners to ask friends and family to support their Race to Rescue a child. Imagine the feeling of crossing the finish line with a small team of people who raised the $1,500 to set a child free! There are currently at least 7 teams around the nation who are planning to organize races this fall.

Finally, there are so many stories of how one voice, gently sharing the mission, can inspire others to defend these kids. Please don’t underestimate the power of your voice as Proverbs 31:8 encourages us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.