When Cristal Porter and her family first visited Hope Community Church in Austin, they felt a sense of relief.
Led by pastor Aaron Reyes and his wife, Michelle Ami Reyes, known for their expertise in helping Christians talk about race, the congregation of about 135 was filled with people of color and diverse couples like the Porters. The church aspires to be a “meaningful community where people can find lifelong relationships, mutual support, and a sense of belonging,” something the Porters had longed for.
“Just looking around the room was really healing,” Porter said.
The Porters threw themselves into the life of Hope, becoming small group leaders and making friends in the congregation. By the fall, Porter had joined the staff part time, with the hope of a full-time role in the future.
Within a year, everything had fallen apart. Disagreements among the staff led one of the pastors to resign,…
