About Us
Rescue Hill was founded in 2020 by Amanda and Steve Pettit, former Nazarene missionaries whose service in El Salvador, Haiti, and Dominica profoundly shaped their calling. While living and serving in these contexts, they witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of human trafficking on women and families—experiences that awakened a deep conviction that something more had to be done.
Upon returning to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, Amanda and Steve sensed God leading them to create a place of respite rooted in dignity, safety, and compassionate care. Rescue Hill was formed to address critical gaps in survivor services by offering trauma-informed support for women, including pregnant women and women with children ages five and under. Their vision was never simply to provide programs, but to walk alongside women with presence, consistency, and trust as they move toward stability.
That vision first took shape through the creation of emergency beds in Arlington, designed to meet immediate needs for safety and care. As Rescue Hill expanded, so did collaboration with local and federal partners who shared a commitment to survivor-centered response. In 2023, Rescue Hill launched Starla House to serve adult women, pregnant women, and women with children ages five and under. This 30–90 day stabilization home provides a safe, supportive environment during one of the most vulnerable seasons of a survivor’s journey, offering space to breathe, regroup, and take next steps toward long-term housing and support.
Today, Rescue Hill continues to grow and strengthen its work, guided by prayer, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to compassionate, survivor-centered care—creating pathways from crisis to stability for women impacted by human trafficking
Our Name
The name Rescue Hill traces its roots to a bold and visionary leader, J. T. Upchurch, whose ministry in the late 1800s challenged both cultural norms and religious comfort zones. Long before the language of “human trafficking” existed, Upchurch recognized the exploitation of women and young mothers and refused to look away. In 1903, he established the Berachah Industrial Home on a knoll of land in Arlington, Texas—a place that would become known as Rescue Hill. There, women who had been abused, abandoned, pregnant, or forced into prostitution found safety, dignity, and practical support at a time when few believed they were worthy of care. Upchurch’s conviction was simple but radical: no one is beyond redemption, and the Church must go where others will not.
Over the decades, the Berachah property grew into a thriving community, serving thousands of women from across the country and providing a safe place for them—and their babies—to begin again. The land eventually passed to what is now University of Texas at Arlington, leaving behind a cemetery that still testify to lives protected and restored. This work was deeply connected to Upchurch’s role as a founding pioneer of the Church of the Nazarene, a movement shaped by compassion for the marginalized. Today’s Rescue Hill carries forward that same legacy—located just 3.4 miles from the original site—standing on the conviction that women facing exploitation deserve safety, respite, and a path toward stability. Our name is not aspirational; it is inherited, stewarded, and lived out.
