Carly Souza started a foster care ministry in her church because, as a foster mother, she needed it.
Over time, she has led her church’s foster care ministry to serve over 500 families in the Las Vegas, Nevada area — simply by showing up.
This has included everything from hosting trainings in their church to wrapping around families with meals and relationships, and even welcoming the difficult behaviors that come from trauma and adversity into the regular areas and routines of church life.
Souza says it’s exactly this “messy” gospel work that leads to deep connection and transformation in their church and community.
“The truth is, the gospel is messy. And there’s no way to love your community, to love the people around you, without getting messy. But what a gift to invite in outsiders to experience the love, the mercy, the forgiveness of Jesus and bring them into the greater family,” she said.
“Pure religion is making yourself wildly uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel.”
Watch the latest release from the Pure Religion Project below!
The Pure Religion Project is a focused initiative inspired by the members of the Christian Alliance for Orphans and the broader CAFO community, designed to help churches live out the “pure religion” described in James 1:27 and invited throughout Scripture. Through world-class resources, supportive community and ongoing connection and coaching, The Pure Religion Project at CAFO wants to help you lead your church with assurance, hope and the help you need.
