About Us

How it Began

In 2015, the team behind Action169 began to recognize their call to join the modern-day abolitionist movement—bringing Christ-centered hope, truth, and justice to those impacted by sexual exploitation and addiction.

Jenna De Jong helped capture the vision early on, writing what would become the heartbeat of Action169: to reflect God’s love through tangible action. That same year, the team began hosting awareness and education events. At the same time, Danielle Freitag’s desire—as a survivor—to return to the very places she once knew became a reality. Outreach to women working in the sex industry began with love, consistency, and prayer.

Prayer quickly became the foundation of Action169. Weekly prayer calls laid the spiritual groundwork for everything that followed—and out of that foundation came three key areas of focus: Prevention, Intervention, and Restoration.

In the early years, Action169 operated under the covering of Pray First Ministries, founded by Ruth Schueler, a deeply faithful and prophetic intercessor. Ruth played a pivotal role in leading and encouraging the team through seasons of vision-building and spiritual discernment.

In 2018, she passed the 501(c)(3) to Corey and Danielle Freitag, Michael and Jenna De Jong, officially commissioning them to carry the mission forward. Ruth has continued to serve as a Board Member and Prayer Pastor for Action169, and her leadership, wisdom, and intercession remain a vital part of who we are.

Since that time, Action169 has:

• Launched Bella Daughter, a survivor-led outreach meeting women in strip clubs with hope and dignity

• Hosted school presentations, trainings, and community events to equip youth, families, and professionals

• Developed trauma-informed, faith-based restoration care for women overcoming exploitation and addiction

• Formed partnerships with dress boutiques to create Runway for Action, now housed in our brick-and-mortar store, Goodnews Collective

• Fulfilled a prophetic vision from co-founder Michael De Jong by securing a billboard on Highway 169, boldly raising awareness and inviting others into the mission

What started in prayer has become a movement—rooted in faith, built on obedience, and fueled by love.

And still, the best is yet to come.

“During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

— Acts 16:9