In this episode, author and nonprofit founder Holly Christine Hayes shares the difficult truth about pursuing a God-shaped dream – that it’s hard and it may require everything of you. As a result, she teaches us the importance of examining your season of life, considering the realities of your dream, and what we might do instead if this isn’t the season for stepping out. You’ll discover the value of surrounding yourself with people who are better than you and the importance of staying watered and rooted if you’re going to step into a God-shaped dream.

IF YOU HAVE EVER STRUGGLED TO DISCERN A DREAM FROM A CALLING, THIS WAS THE EPISODE FOR YOU.

Holly is an award-winning author, world-renowned recovery ministry expert, and founder + CEO of Sanctuary Project, a community of advocates bringing hope and healing to survivors of trafficking, violence, and addiction. After working in worship and recovery ministry for Menlo Church in California and the American Church in Paris, Holly married her husband Jeff in 2016, and they now reside in Austin, Texas. Holly is a speaker and worship leader in safe houses, churches, conferences and recovery communities all over the world and was recently chosen as a new Voice for Women of Faith. She has traveled the globe, sharing her radical story of salvation and coming to faith in Christ from one simple, desperate prayer and is passionate about teaching others to pray that prayer too: "God, help me."

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CONNECT WITH HOLLY:

Website || Instagram

CONNECT WITH SANCTUARY PROJECT:

Website || Instagram || Shop

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Silobration, Magnolia’s yearly celebration in Waco, TX
Sling TV (instead of cable)
Catfish
Sanctuary Project Shop, listener discount code: DREAMERS

Check out the giveaway from Holly and Sanctuary Project on Instagram:

One person will win a ‘branch’ necklace from Sanctuary Project AND a copy of Holly's book, From Basement to Sanctuary.

To Enter:

1️⃣ Like the giveaway photo on IG

2️⃣ Follow ALL THREE: @merrittjo + @sanctuary_project + @hollychristinehayes

3️⃣ Tag 2 friends in the comments who have had a meaningful impact on your faith. Bonus: tag extra friends for extra entries.

Giveaway ends Saturday, January 26th at midnight EST. This is not sponsored, endorsed or affiliated with Instagram. By entering you are confirming that you are at least 18 years of age and live in the US.

SCRIPTURE:

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
~ Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
~ John 15:5 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.
~ Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

2:45 – a little of Holly’s story
3:00 – where the idea for Sanctuary Project came from
3:53 – why this idea for survivors
4:29 – what is sex trafficking and what does it look like in the USA
8:30 – when Holly met Jesus
9:55 – what characterizes trafficking in the US
12:26 – You are a daughter of the King
13:20 – the first time she heard she was fearfully and wonderfully made
15:20 – how Sanctuary Project was born
16:28 – how Holly feels unqualified to run a business
16:48 – her biggest struggles/challenges along the way
18:42 – learning she can’t do it alone
19:15 – getting to use her creativity and letting others do what they’re good at
21:45 – a disappointment with one of her early victims
25:36 – clinging to Psalm 27
26:10 – where the name Sanctuary Project originated
28:10 – God calls us to abide in Him
29:10 – why we can’t compare our fruit to the fruit of others
30:40 – advice about counting the cost of your dream before you pursue it
32:28 – look at your circumstances; do they allow you to step into this dream?
33:48 – make sure you can give yourself to the dream
35:15 – is this a dream or is this something you’re called to?
35:56 – do your circumstances allow you to pursue it?
35:04 – considering your season of life before you step into a dream
38:08 – even success has a cost
40:24 – how she only reads the Bible
43:26 – Sanctuary Project discount code for listeners
44:45 – Giveaway for listeners via Instagram
45:10 – about the marble pieces in the fall line
48:10 – how this dream has changed her perspective of herself and her past failures