FAITH CASEY
Founder and Executive Director of Light of Love Seattle
Faith is the founder and executive director of Light of Love Seattle, an organization dedicated to transforming lives in the commercial sex industry. She trains and equips teams across the U.S. to lead impactful outreach in strip clubs and porn expos, offering support and hope to those in the industry. As a public speaker and international missionary,
Faith empowers churches and nonprofits to engage this community with compassion, dignity, and humility.
Reflecting on the last year, what new quote, book, or piece of advice has most influenced you as a woman leader?
"I am a human being, not a human doing." – Kurt Vonnegut
For so long, I tried to prove my worth through my work, impact, and how much I could give to others. But during my sabbatical, God reminded me that my value isn’t in what I do, but in who I am in Him. This revelation—along with the truth that "you lead best from a place of wholeness"—transformed my leadership.
I realized I had been giving at the expense of my own well-being. Now, I lead with intention, setting boundaries, delegating, and fostering authentic connections. I encourage my team to prioritize rest and healing, knowing we can only give fully when we are whole.
We can’t offer wholeness, healing, and identity to others if we aren’t operating from a healthy place ourselves. This shift has allowed me to create space for others to experience freedom and lead confidently—knowing their worth is in who they are, not what they do.
As a woman community leader, how do you cultivate and maintain mentorship relationships with younger or emerging women leaders? What lessons or approaches are you passing on to ensure that leadership, empowerment, and inclusivity endure beyond your own tenure?
My work is about going to the people, meeting them where they are—and often, that’s where mentorship begins. But at some point, you reach a threshold (and I set that threshold low), where I simply say, “Come with me.”
I invite people to walk alongside me, to learn by doing, to step into leadership by practicing their strengths and discovering their own style. This process isn’t just about watching—it’s about engaging, stretching, and creating space for growth. I challenge, encourage, and provide opportunities for them to step out on their own, equipped with the tools they’re developing. It’s a safe place to make mistakes, reflect, receive feedback, and grow. It’s a dance—learning to step into uncertainty, discover gifts, and embrace leadership.
Mentorship is deeply relational. I walk alongside emerging leaders, lifting them up and encouraging them to bring others with them because leadership is about multiplication, not just addition. I lead with vulnerability and transparency, showing that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up with support.
We’re meant to walk together, strengthening one another. Mentorship is like fire—heat transferred through closeness. Walking together ignites passion, courage, and wisdom that radiate outward. I instill strength, resilience, integrity, self-determination, and a reliance on God—because "you can do hard things."
Above all, I extend an invitation to lead—to step out in faith, embrace your identity, and boldly walk in your calling. My goal is to equip and empower others to rise with confidence.
If you had to choose a single word that captures your current approach to leadership, what would it be and why? Share a brief anecdote or turning point this past year that illustrates why this word resonates with you.
The word that defines my leadership approach right now is empowerment. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating space for others to step up, grow, and lead in their own way. I focus on equipping people through training, mentorship, and support so they feel confident and capable.
Empowerment means investing time, energy, and resources into those who are willing, ready, and teachable. It requires prioritizing time wisely—focusing first on people, then on the work itself. When leaders pour into their teams first, the mission is strengthened, and the work becomes more effective.
This year, I established a budget and fund for sabbaticals, leader support, and leadership development because investing in myself and my team strengthens our unity and impact. When we are strong, we create sustainable, lasting change.
How have you and your team continued (or adapted) your efforts to give back to the community over the past year? Please share a specific recent initiative or story that you’re especially proud of—what was the impact, and how did it shape your leadership?
Over the past year, my team and I have remained committed to serving our community while navigating change with wisdom. One initiative I’m especially proud of is our expanded Jesus Loves Sex Workers (JLSW) outreach. By deepening our presence at porn expos, we’ve provided emotional and mental health support, creating a safe space where people feel seen, valued, and loved.
One woman who had been distant and resistant for some time eventually approached our team in tears, sharing how deeply impacted she had been by our consistent presence and care. She admitted that our messages had planted a seed of hope she didn’t realize she needed. For the first time, she expressed a desire for connection and healing. It was a powerful reminder that our work is about meeting people where they are, offering unconditional love, and creating space for healing—even when they’re not ready to engage at first.
We’ve come to understand that true impact isn’t about reaching the masses, but deeply investing in those right in front of us. This perspective shaped our annual gala, where we shared these stories and raised funds to sustain and expand outreach.
At the same time, we’ve learned that loving our community well means honoring our own capacity. Instead of overextending ourselves, we’ve chosen to go deeper rather than wider—prioritizing presence over pressure and trusting that real transformation happens in God’s timing, not ours. By doing less but doing it well, we’re showing up with the energy, passion, and care our community truly deserves.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, which woman—past or present—continues to inspire your work as a community leader, and why? How has her example influenced the way you collaborate, advocate, or mentor?
A woman who continues to inspire my work as a community leader is Amy Carmichael. Her fearless commitment to rescuing and caring for vulnerable women and children in India, despite opposition and personal sacrifice, deeply resonates with my heart for outreach.
She didn’t just preach love—she lived it, stepping into the darkest places to bring hope and restoration. Her example reminds me that true ministry requires perseverance, selflessness, and unwavering trust in God’s calling. Like Amy, I strive to create a refuge for those who feel unseen and unworthy, showing them—through consistent love and action—that they are valued, cherished, and never beyond redemption.
What challenges and opportunities do you foresee for women leaders in your field or community over the next year, and how are you preparing to meet them? If you had to give one piece of advice to a woman stepping into a leadership role today, what would it be?
One of the biggest challenges for women leaders in my field is navigating constant change while battling burnout and the pressure to prove themselves in spaces that demand constant giving. Many women in ministry and nonprofits struggle to balance compassion with sustainability. The key to overcoming this is unshakable flexibility—being ready to pivot without letting uncertainty shake us. As we cultivate relationships and build networks, we won’t always know what the future holds, but maintaining strong connections allows us to respond effectively when needs arise.
A crucial opportunity lies in truly listening to industry voices rather than making assumptions about needs. Shifting from an “us vs. them” mindset to authentic collaboration helps us better serve, empower, and equip those we’re called to reach. Partnering with people within the industry allows us to understand the realities they face—industry competency is one of our core values.
My advice for women stepping into leadership today: Lead boldly, but don’t lead alone. Surround yourself with a strong, faith-filled community. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about stepping forward, trusting God, and inviting others to walk alongside you. You are made on purpose and for a purpose—GO GET IT!