Sarah's Journey: From Trauma to Triumph | Conversations of Hope In this emotionally resonant episode of Conversations of Hope, hosts Faith Ingraham and Michelle Viscuse welcome Sarah Carr, a certified financial planner and therapist, to share her inspiring story. As a survivor of religious and spiritual abuse, Sarah recounts her experiences growing up in a small evangelical community, undergoing a coerced betrothal to a youth pastor at a young age, and eventually finding the courage to confront her abuser and seek justice. With a powerful narrative of resilience and healing, Sarah sheds light on the importance of breaking the silence around abuse and offers insights for creating safer, more supportive communities. Visit conversationsofhopepodcast.org for resources and more information. 00:00 Introduction to Conversations of Hope 01:06 Introducing Sarah Carr: A Journey of Resilience 02:34 Sarah's Early Life and Family Background 03:27 The Charismatic Movement and Relocation 05:00 The Youth Pastor's Influence and Grooming 07:25 Betrothal and Isolation 16:00 The Wedding That Never Happened 20:44 Realization and Reporting the Abuse 24:05 Legal Proceedings and Seeking Justice 25:02 Reflections and Support 27:20 Biblical Misinterpretations and Abuse 28:15 Lack of Accountability and Support 29:00 Seeking Answers and Understanding 29:31 The Role of Authority and Validation 31:34 Creating Safer Environments 35:08 The Importance of Asking Questions 39:30 The Church's Response to Victims 46:16 Raising Awareness and Taking Action 49:11 Final Thoughts and Gratitude