“I think sometimes we just want to figure out what’s the solution, and we ignore the process....And we definitely need to be sitting more in that in-between messy, painful space and giving voice to people’s stories.” — Michelle Reyes
Listen in as WAP associate Caroline Triscik interviews author and activist Dr. Michelle Reyes. In this conversation, we discuss Michelle's journey from academia into incarnational ministry, her studies in German folklore and its relevance to her daily work, and her vision for narrative justice in the world.
A mutual friend pointed me toward the work of Michelle Reyes, and I’m so grateful. Her bio instantly intrigued me. I felt especially curious about what led her to pursue such intensive study of story — in particular folklore — and how that has influenced her current vocation ministering alongside her husband in an urban, multicultural church serving the disadvantaged and minority communities in Austin, Texas. In this candid interview, we hear about the way Michelle’s childhood influences — from Indian folk tales to a conservative Christian church — shaped her thoughts on story, faith, and narrative justice. As a graduate-level clinical mental health counseling student, I found it especially interesting to hear how Michelle’s understanding of story has formed the way she ministers to the women in her community. Engaging their stories through a holistic view, Michelle works to empower women to own and reframe their narratives through the lens of the Gospel. We're grateful to Michelle for sharing her own story with us, and we're delighted to share it with our listeners.
— Caroline Triscik
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