From a Tiny Shack to a Global Mission — The Power of Saying YES. (S5E05)
The Shepherd at Work
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 27 minutes
Joy Reyes never planned to lead a global mission.
In fact, as a young girl, she prayed a very specific prayer:
“God, whatever you do… don’t send me to the mission field.”
Spoiler alert: God smiled.
In this episode, Krystal sits down with Joy Reyes, Founder and CEO of New Hope Girls, for a raw, faith-filled conversation about obedience, calling, and what happens when you say yes—before you have the resources, the roadmap, or the reassurance.
Two small kids.
One-year commitment.
Eight suitcases.
The Dominican Republic.
A family stepped out not knowing what God would do with their powerful YES.
What began as obedience became a global mission of rescue, restoration, and hope.
Joy’s story began in a tiny shack in the barrio—a moment that ignited a calling she couldn’t ignore. What was meant to be a one-year adventure became a movement dedicated to rescuing, restoring, and empowering girls who have survived trafficking, abuse, and extreme vulnerability.
Under Joy’s leadership, New Hope Girls has grown into a model of restoration that goes far beyond rescue. Through education, trauma-informed care, mentorship, and sustainable employment, girls and women are equipped to reclaim dignity, independence, and hope. Partnerships with global brands like Vera Bradley, Pura Vida, Kohl’s, Ethan Allen, Thistle Farms, and others have turned handcrafted work into instruments of justice—proving that business, when aligned with purpose, can change lives.
But this podcast isn’t about headlines or partnerships.
It’s about obedience.
Joy said yes before the money came.
Yes before she knew how to scale.
Yes when all she had was faith, courage, and a shack.
Yes to duplication before she understood systems.
Yes to God—again and again.
This is a story of YES & _______.
Yes & faith.
Yes & action.
Yes & stepping into the unknown.
Joy’s background in education, psychology, and trauma-informed care has shaped her into a trusted voice for healing and restoration—but at the core, this is the story of a woman who said yes and kept walking.
You’ll hear about:
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What obedience looks like when the calling disrupts your plans
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How faith-driven leadership sustains long-term impact
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Turning rescue into restoration through dignity and work
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Why saying yes early matters more than having it all figured out
You can meet Joy Reyes and the New Hope Girls team in person at SWC 2026—and trust us, you’ll want to.
This episode will stir your faith.
It will challenge your excuses.
And it may ask you a simple, dangerous question:
What might God do if you said yes?
This is why obedience still changes the world.
This is what happens when faith moves first.
This is the power of YES.
🎧 Listen. Be stirred. Say yes.
To Learn More about Joy and New Hope Girls: https://newhopegirls.com/pages/our-story
And when mention SWC can you add this link: https://uschristianchamber.com/swc-2026/
