How it Started:
In the winter of 2002, worship leaders Brett & Emily Mills were leading worship for a conference focused on ministry to sex workers...a little did they know, their lives would be changed forever. Overwhelmed by stories from former sex workers, Emily became burdened for the marginalized in Waco. Upon their return home, emails were sent...stories were shared...and within two weeks, the first Easter outreach happened. A group of women armed with bags of LOVE ventured into 2 Waco strip clubs. It was a success! And success meant that each club manager offered open invitations for the women to return anytime! And for the next few years, the ladies would return to the clubs every Easter and Christmas.
In 2005, after operating under the name of the organization which introduced Brett and Emily to this type of ministry, they felt it time to branch off and bring this “new” ministry under their already established worship ministry. And the name JESUS SAID LOVE was adopted.
Why JESUS SAID LOVE? Simply put, Brett & Emily didn’t want to isolate their ministry to the sex industry. The burden was for the MARGINALIZED. The vision for JESUS SAID LOVE is to reach out to the marginalized...those whom the church has missed either because of ignorance or negligence. Our outreaches will be defined by people groups. And the first people group was already happening. STRIPPERS. We decided to define our outreaches with the phrase “JESUS LOVES.....” and that’s how JESUS LOVES STRIPPERS came to be.
It became apparent that going to the clubs twice a year was not fostering the relationships we set out to build. We took the huge step of faith and began monthly outreaches in the summer of 2007.
Also that same year we sensed the urge to begin praying about adding a new people group. Who? It became very apparent...very quickly...that TRUCKERS would become the new addition. And Christmas 2009, we launched JESUS LOVES TRUCKERS.
In January 2010, after much prayer and development, we launched the first expansion of JESUS SAID LOVE...DALLAS. In their infancy, the Dallas arm will focus on JESUS LOVE STRIPPERS.
And presently we are working with other cities as they have contacted us to bring JSL to their city.
About Brett & Emily:
Brett and Emily Mills have been described as multi-talented Christian leaders in the areas of the arts, social engagement, business, and theology. Together they run Jesus Said Love. Brett and Emily also serve local churches by leading worship for retreats, conferences, and church services. Visit their music site here.
In her spare time, Emily is a published author and runs a small yarn boutique called Yarnivore in Waco, TX. They also have three children: Hattie, Lucy & Gus.
Brett & Emily are available for all types of speaking events. If you are interested in having us come and share with your group, please send us an email:
