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"I'm not sure I want to be a part of a church that's not full of misfits."

Many churches work hard to create welcoming environments, yet countless families still feel unseen, isolated, or unsure if there is truly a place for them.

In this episode, Jess Ronne, founder of The Lucas Project, caregiver advocate, author, speaker, and mother of eight, shares what she has learned through years of caring for a son with profound disabilities and supporting other caregiving families.

Together, we explore:

• Why so many caregivers feel invisible in church communities
• The unique challenges faced by families navigating disability and chronic care needs
• What churches often misunderstand about belonging and support
• Why vulnerability creates deeper community than polished appearances
• The importance of making room for people whose lives don't fit neatly into the program
• How caregiving can reshape our understanding of discipleship and service
• What it means to be truly seen, known, and supported
• Why some of the people Jesus gravitated toward would have been considered "misfits"

This conversation is ultimately about more than caregiving. It's about the kind of community we're building and whether there's room for people whose lives are messy, complicated, and difficult to explain.

Learn more about Jess and her work:

• thelucasproject.org
• jessronne.com
• Unseen: How We're Failing Parent Caregivers and Why It Matters

If you care about Christian communication done with more creativity and integrity, come see what we’re building at contrarytopopular.com.