Lovely Village

This year, Lovely Village presents WildTorch: Love Songs for Lovely Village on Thursday October 17, 2024 at the Waco Hippodrome with some of WACO’S BEST HIDDEN TALENT!

Oh yes, we have local celebrities who can SING! Backed by a live band and ready to blow you away with their hidden talent, we have a night you won’t forget…great food, love song dedications and the best audience SING ALONG in Texas!

➡️ Do you know a company who is community focused and cares deeply about providing safe housing for women and kids? Tag them below!

After all, Love is a Village and we’re singing this song for YOU!

Drumroll, please… Let us introduce you to our long awaited Chief Operations Officer, Rebekah Powell-Lewis!

A little backstory: Nearly one year ago we brought in the talented LEAP Development consulting firm to assess our organization, coach us toward the next step of growth and lead us bit by bit toward stable successes. They helped us understand that in order to serve our neighbors, we needed more qualified hands on deck.

And so we began our search for what sounded like a unicorn, someone operationally minded who also valued creativity, someone who would keep our community in focus while not forgetting the bigger vision of building up jobs for women through our justice enterprise. Who–and where–in the world was this person?

Turns out, right here in Waco.

Rebekah comes to us from our dear partner organization, Methodist Children’s Home, with a breadth of experience in organizational transformation, strategic planning, process improvement, and program development. Rebekah is truly an answer to our prayers, and we cannot wait for you to get to know her!

We will formally introduce Rebekah to our community at WildTorch next month, so consider this your invitation to come and say hello in person!

Love is a village,
Brett & Emily

Today, we rest, because we believe at Lovely Village that work, rest and play are equal parts of our recovery.🤍

Do you have a heart to reach out to women in clubs? Our Killeen team is looking for new members. Teams reach out once a month to three clubs in the Killeen area, bring high quality gifts, and build relationships. 89% of women involved in commercial s*x industry say they want out but have no other means of survival. Lovely Village is here to change that by giving women options through resourcing and relationships. Awaken Hope and Empower Change with us!

To the deserted ones, we see you.
We have kept the fires burning for you.
Will you join the circle
Wednesday Nights - women only.
5:30 mealshare
6pm circle process
Lovely Village HQ
1500 Columbus Ave.
Waco, TX

What’s the difference in “benevolence” and “buy-in”? It’s simple to me: skin in the game.
20 years ago when I started outreaches, it wasn’t because I felt particularly benevolent toward women in strip clubs, but because I knew we had a common thread, a red one that not many wanted to talk about.
From the time I was young, my skin was already in the game of s*xual trauma. Choices were made for me that I had no control over. I was exposed to p**n before it was internet ready. Pictures were taken of me I can barely recall.
For me, benevolence is goodwill giving, buy-in is God-centered living.
Benevolence says “I’m interested in helping”.
Buy-in says “I’m invested in serving”.
We certainly need both!
Are they different? Same? Would love your take!I’m all IN 💗Emily

Please welcome Rebekah Powell-Lewis, our new Chief Operating Officer at Lovely Village!

“In so many ways, letting go never felt so good, so timely. I think when Lovely Village began as JSL outreaches, I never envisioned it becoming what it is today. Much like making music, I think I followed the sound, the stories; my heart beat like a drum for women who had been sidelined and traumatized by violence. I saw myself in their stories and we began to imagine a new world together, we challenged old narratives that held us back. Rebekah “gets it” and has built systems that helped give safe haven to women and kids for the last 8-9 years. Her heart is in it, she understands and teaches TBRI and she’s unafraid of my wild ideas! Building with her is going to be fun!”
-Emily Mills, founder & CIO Lovely Village

Today we’re standing with the UN’s World Day Against Trafficking in Person’s. Lovely Village is honored to do the work of love day in and day out, holding space for many women who have experienced violence at the hand of a trafficker.

What can YOU do today that will make it a good day in the world?

💙Believe survivors.
💙Speak up when you see signs of trafficking. 💙Support programs, policies and people who are doing good work of anti trafficking in the world!

We’re dancing for joy over here at Lovely Village. Our team is growing and we’re closer to construction on residences! We believe a beautiful world is a safe one for women and their children, and WE can build that world together.
Love is a VILLAGE .

When Lovely Village began as Jesus Said Love 20 years ago, we were serving women in strip clubs. What we didn’t realize was that 76% of women in the s*x industry are mothers, and 89% say they want out but have no other means of provision. Mothers for generations have been s*xually exploited. Culture makes demands of the female body. The economic engine of the s*x industry alongside oppressive systems creates the “choices” mothers have to survive.
This Mother’s Day we recognize the mothers who have travelled paths they could have never anticipated to care for their kids. To all of our lovely mothers, happy Mother‘s Day!

Did you know 86% of women in jail have survived s*xual violence? Many women who survive s*xual trauma do not have the porper support systems and resources to foster healing. Lovely Village is a healding community for survivors of s*xual trauma. Our new residential housing program will not only be a safe community for survivors, but will be a home for their children as well.
Want to join this village work? We want you to be our neighbor! Sign up today for our newsletter or DM us to partner.

Dr. Christy Bauman will be hosting her book release and mini retreat at Lovely Village on May 1st ! Her new book, “Her Rites” is the culmination of 18 years in private practice working with women. We are so thrilled to host her, and would love to see you there for a ½ day immersive experience into the book including yoga, a signed copy of Her Rites, a catered meal and guided discussion.
Visit the link in our bio to get your ticket today!

Candle making is a science, and one that our production coordinator has perfected! Lizz continues to learn about the best ways to create our lovely candles, and cannot wait to make yours today! Check the link in our bio to get your own wildtorch or joy scented candle today!

Happy Leap Year!!
Leap on over to our website to get your own Lovely Apparel to celebrate!

A candle lit night and a good book — what more could you ask for? Our candles burn for 60 hours and will fill your home with the tranquil scents of cedar wood and leather. Sounds like relaxation to me! Visit the website to get yours today. When you shop Lovely, you change lives!

During Black History month, we reflect on the racism rooted into the commercial s*x industry, and we celebrate women who overcome systemic and injustice and incredible odds. Women like Shamica, owner and operator of are one of many examples of Black women in business who inspire us in the village. And if you haven’t tried you’re missing OUT!

Our Lovely Candles are still burning— and they’ll stay burning for 60 hours! Made locally with all ethically sourced ingredients, our WildTorch and Joy candles will LIGHT up your day!

What do you talk about over coffee? Around here we talk a lot about justice, love, and Jesus — and we LOVE to do it with a cup of Bridge City Waco’s Lovely Village Blend. Visit to get your own mix of Brazil Rio Brilhante and Vietnam Lotus in this coffee blend today!

During love month, we want to bring some JOY into your home! Head over to our website and order your own joy fragrance spray to add some sweet cypress, Frasier fir, pine and peppermint scents to your space!

Reality check: The Victim Service Center found people in commercial s*x are 40% black, 33% Latinx, and only 6% fully white. We know from our own work that the majority of commercial s*x consumers are college educated, white men. The numbers tell the story; racism is built into the s*x industry and the power dynamic of supply and demand. This is an industry that continues to harm women of color the most, an injustice largely upheld by white men’s demand for her body to be sold.
Pushing back against the evils of s*xual exploitation, trauma and trafficking requires not only our awareness but our action, from everyone. Want to stop demand? Our CEO Brett Mills would love to speak to your group. Stop Demand, Restore Lives.

Winter Clearance!
Our Lovely Apparel is on sale with just a few sizes and styles left! That’s right! You can buy your very own lovely shirt for just $25. Visit the link in our bio to get yours!

Did you know that 76% of women working in the commerical s*x industry are mothers — and 27% of women say supporting their children is the reason for their work? Our Lovely Village residential housing program will provide two years of rent-free housing for women AND their children. We are working toward beginning phase 1 of the building process. Help reach our goal by visiting our website and donating today. For more information on how to get involved, email [email protected]!

For a later post:
Hug what you love? Are you a hugger? How do you respond to physical affection? Did you know that trauma survivors are often required to dissociate during their victimization leaving them disembodied and fearful of physical contact. This can sometimes mean that any stimuli, especially physical touch, feels uncomfortable. Remember, not everyone experiences love in the same way.
That said, the science shows that a 20 second hug releases oxytocin which helps us have greater human empathy. Not a hugger? Try it with a safe person in small doses and see how you feel after!

What the sign says — and the rug too! Take a trip to our website and check out our lovely products that generate love and change lives.
Each purchase helps support livable wage jobs for survivors of s*xual exploitation, trauma and trafficking here in Waco.
Shop Lovely, Change lives TODAY!

Don’t forget TODAY is the last day to order your Valentine’s Bundle for FREE Waco (and surrounding area) delivery.
Don’t need coffee, candle and cookies? What about gifting a bundle for a Lovely Village neighbor? It would be a joy to deliver this gift to a women within our village. Many are single moms already doing so much. All are worthy of love and lovely surprises!

All of our lovely candles are made and packaged with love — and both of our scents are lovely! Which do you prefer? Our Joy candle carries the refreshing scent of spruce and pine into your home, while our Wildtorch candle has a warm scent of leather and cedarwood. Purchase yours on our website today!

Our Valentine’s Bundles are ready to be sent to you with love! With Bridge City’s Lovely Village coffee blend, two Milk Bottle cookies and a Lovely candle, this is the perfect combination! Visit our website to order yours today!

CEO Brett Mills continues to raise awareness for the impacts of the commercial s*x industry through his Stop Demand School. Graduates are able to see the real world impacts of being a consumer. Without buyers, there would be no sellers. Let’s stop the demand. Let’s stop the problem. To book Brett to speak at your business or event, email [email protected]

You can buy yourself flowers, sure, but buy that someone special a bundle of justice and loving care that gives livable wages to women overcoming great odds! This is LOVE 💕
We called in some of our village businesses for a Valentine’s bundle!
Candles, coffee, cookies oh my!

FREE shipping by 2/8,
FREE Waco and surrounding area on delivery 2/14 by 5pm if ordered by 2/12!

8 oz Lovely Village Candle (or fragrance spray)
12 oz Lovely Village blend
2 massive (chocolate chip)
Visit our website or stories to purchase !
* Only 50 Bundles available *

“God is within her, she will not fall, God will help her at break of day” - Psalm 46:5
Whatever step of your journey you are in, know that God is with you. For survivors, sometimes a blessing comes in the form of a purchased candle, which brings with it a livable wage job. Help us continue to provide these jobs for survivors by purchasing your own candle today!