Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hansell.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How It All Began: A Calling That Took Root in Bastrop
My journey into healing ministry began decades ago, long before Bastrop Prayer and Healing Rooms had a name or a building. I was trained through the Vineyard movement in McKinney, Texas, and equipped with a master’s degree in health education, along with professional life-coaching certification and chaplaincy training. Over the years, I served people through churches and informal ministry, simply responding to the needs in front of me.
After relocating to Bastrop in 2005, something significant shifted. I began having a series of vivid dreams—five in total—where I saw centers of care and restoration emerging in communities and nations. These places weren’t defined by buildings or programs, but by atmospheres of love, where people could find healing for mind, body, soul, and spirit.
For many years, I continued ministering without any desire to open a physical location. But then came what I jokingly call “the dare.” A close business friend challenged me to pray and see if God might open the door. Within minutes of making a few phone calls, a space became available, and it set off a chain reaction of provision that continued to unfold.
That step of faith became the foundation for what is now Bastrop Prayer and Healing Rooms, and it has been a joy and privilege to serve the community there for the past seven years. What began as a simple yes has grown into a place of hope, healing, and restoration for many.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
What challenges did you face along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. The love we felt called to bring to Bastrop was not always understood at first. People had different ideas of what healing and prayer should look like, and there were seasons when we were talked about in negative ways and misunderstood.
But we stayed anchored in love.
Over time, we watched God move powerfully in the lives of the people who came through our sessions. Many found themselves in a better place emotionally, spiritually, and personally. As that fruit became visible, something began to shift. Some of the same individuals and organizations that had once misunderstood us came to respect what we were doing.
Our heart has always been simple—we truly love everyone.
It was deeply meaningful to see that reflected back when we were honored as runner-up in two categories in Bastrop County Best: wellness coach and family community. That recognition felt like a testimony to what God had been building quietly over the years.
We were also grateful for the building we had been using, but eventually we were presented with an opportunity to purchase a place of our own. Once again, God provided in remarkable ways—through resources, volunteer labor, and finances—at just the right time. We were able to purchase and fully renovate our own building, and we celebrated our grand opening in January 2026.
Looking back, the challenges were part of the process. They helped establish something genuine, something rooted in love, and something that could truly serve the community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Arise Transformation Center was created to care for the whole person—mind, spirit, soul, and body. We offer services such as counseling, nutrition support, massage therapy, muscle testing, marriage and life coaching, and resources like books and other materials that help people continue their healing journey.
Alongside this, our Bastrop Prayer and Healing Rooms operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and provides free services to the community. We host Healing Room days where individuals can receive prayer, as well as Freedom Sessions, which are more focused times that help bring healing and restoration to the mind, soul, and spirit. We also serve the practical needs of our community by distributing 400 to 600 food boxes each month, and we provide ongoing intercessory prayer for our city and region, along with worship gatherings where people can rest in God’s presence.
What truly sets Arise Transformation Center apart is our focus on loving people, not simply serving them. We believe transformation happens when people are known, not managed—when they are walked with, not rushed through a process. We prioritize relationship over routine and presence over performance, creating a safe space where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Our Healing Rooms and Freedom Sessions are especially meaningful. The Healing Rooms provide a peaceful, prayer-centered environment where people can encounter healing emotionally and spiritually. Freedom Sessions offer a more personal and guided experience, helping individuals find freedom, clarity, and restoration in deeper areas of their lives.
What I am most proud of is that everything we do is rooted in love. Our heart has never been to build a program, but to create a place where people can encounter hope, restoration, and transformation.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
One of my favorite childhood memories is spending weekends with my Nana. She had a way of making that time feel incredibly special. She would prepare my favorite foods, take me to restaurants, and we would watch movies together—but what made it meaningful wasn’t what she did, it was how deeply loved I felt in her presence.
I remember exploring her beautiful, mysterious gardens and climbing high up into the trees, imagining I was on great adventures, saving the world. She would also take me on little adventures around Dallas, visiting different restaurants and scenic places, and we would laugh together along the way.
More than anything, she made me feel seen, heard, and cherished.
Looking back, those weekends were wrapped in love. They shaped something deep in me—the understanding of how powerful it is when someone slows down, makes space for you, and simply loves you
Pricing:
- Books and merchandise depend on subject and length.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bastrophealingrooms.com and https://www.arisetransformationcenter.com/
- Facebook: Bastrop Prayer &Healing Rooms
