Listen on:
Key Takeaways:
In this special episode, host Austin Ludwig and Strategic Partnerships Director Callie Priest step out from behind the microphone and share their personal stories, vocational journeys, and passion for the work of WinShape Homes. The conversation explores how their unique experiences, one as a former foster youth and pastor, the other as a missions-minded church leader, have shaped their commitment to mobilizing the Church to care for vulnerable children and families.
Together, they discuss the vision behind the WinShape Homes Podcast, the ministry legacy of Truett Cathy, and the role of the local church in addressing foster care and child welfare. Austin shares how a local church and WinShape Homes changed the trajectory of his life after entering foster care as a teenager, while Callie reflects on her transition from global missions into child welfare and her conviction that caring for vulnerable children is deeply connected to the mission of God.
Throughout the episode, listeners are reminded that foster care is not merely a social issue but a gospel opportunity. The conversation highlights the power of faithful presence, the lasting impact of ordinary acts of obedience, and the importance of building healthy church communities that support vulnerable children and families for generations to come.
Time Stamps:
2:38 | Why the WinShape Homes Podcast Exists
9:18 | Callie’s Journey from Global Missions to Child Welfare
20:49 | Why Caring for Vulnerable Children Became a Calling
33:12 | The Legacy of Truett Cathy and the Beginning of WinShape Homes
37:14 | How Strategic Partnerships Help Mobilize Churches
43:00 | Seeing Churches Build Sustainable Foster Care Cultures
47:31 | Austin’s Story: From Foster Care to Ministry
52:21 | How a Local Church Changed Everything
1:05:30 | Why Every Child Placed in a Safe Home Matters
Reflection Questions:
- Austin shares how a local church showed up during one of the darkest seasons of his life. Who are the people that have shaped your faith journey, and how did their investment impact you?
- Both Austin and Callie describe seasons where God led them into unfamiliar territory. When have you experienced God calling you to trust Him in a new or unexpected direction?
- The hosts repeatedly mention multiplication rather than quick results. What areas of life require you to trust God with long-term fruit instead of immediate outcomes?
Links:
Austin Ludwig’s Full Story: CAFO2024 Keynote: Austin Ludwig
Follow WinShape Homes on socials: https://www.instagram.com/winshapehomes/