Magdalene Hope strives to bring awareness of the social justice issues of human trafficking and modern-day slavery while educating women of the grace, hope, healing, and freedom in Christ Jesus. We offer training opportunities to other organizations and churches, conduct rallies, and speaking engagements. Please contact us for more information.
About Us
Magdalene Hope began in March of 2009 out of a desire to minister to the ladies working in the commercial sex industry in Bakersfield, California. Since then we have seen thousands of lives transformed by the Love of Christ. We find joy and freedom from a personal relationship with Jesus, partnering with Him by serving His children.
When we began, we had dreams of expanding to other cities, helping to end modern day slavery, and to have a safe house in each region that we ministered in. We now have locations in Bakersfield, Las Vegas, Tijuana, Mexico, and the Central Coast of California.
In 2013, we opened Restoration Ranch, a home we are now using for girls that want out of the industry. We are able to offer Biblical counsel, case management, Bible studies, counseling, and education. Seven girls have gone through our safe shelter. Three girls finished our program, and also graduated with a degree. Two of the girls graduated from Summit Bible College and one from Dental Hygienist School. It is our desire to open shelters in the coming months and years in the other three regions where we are located.
We were blessed to co-produce “The Trafficked Life”, a documentary that mainly focuses on human trafficking in Kern County, California. In 2015 we showed our film in 16 different cities and last month we entered it into the Sundance Film Festival. In 2016, we were to address special committees of both the California State Senate and Assembly in regards to two different human trafficking bills.
We continue to fight for freedom daily. We are beyond grateful for the blessings God has given us. We are thankful to all who have supported the ministry of Magdalene Hope and partnered with us through your time, talents and treasures. We continue to dream of life without slavery for these ladies, and are excited to see where God leads us in the future.
Doug Bennett
Doug Bennett was born in Bakersfield, California and was raised on the east side of town,
where he currently lives with his wife, Angie.
After a twenty-two year battle with drugs, Doug found Jesus and was radically filled with the Holy Spirit in 2004. An electrician by trade, Doug went full time into the ministry after a word from Prophet Chris Overstreet in 2008 and an encounter with Heidi Baker in early 2009.
Doug founded Magdalene Hope in April 2009 in an effort to reach out to women working in the commercial sex industry, in and around the red-light district of Bakersfield.
In 2013, MH opened Restoration Ranch Women’s Shelter, located in Kern County,
which is a six bed, safe facility for women looking to escape the commercial sex industry.
In 2016, Doug was nominated and awarded the Individual Humanitarian Award given out by the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.
In 2017, MH is set to open their first coffee shop, named Rescue Grounds Coffee Company, in partnership with Dignity Health at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital.