Someone You Should Know:
Loraine Fagela & Faye Wilson: Roots Café
Questions: Ray Richardson
Answers: Loraine Fagela & Faye Wilson
What can you say about Faye and Loraine that would fully capture how amazing these two women are? Well, I just used amazing – how about wonderful, kind, Faith-filled, awesome, creative, steadfast, hard-working, entrepreneurs, Moms, Wives, leaders, servants, and so many other words that escape me now.
These two women embody the very best of mankind. They are always there and available to help someone in need. They are fierce, yet not overbearing, in their love of Jesus Christ and intend for their actions, in their personal lives and in their businesses, to be a beacon for his love.
Sorry Faye – I have told this countless times, so what is once more – Faye was our very first babysitter 28 years ago. You could tell then, there was something special about her. I should know…I interviewed her for two hours before we would leave for a one-hour babysitting gig. She is truly amazing and to have watched her grow into a beautiful wife, Mother and business leader has been a special thing.
I have known Loraine for several years. She was a guest on my talk show in advance of a trade show we support each year. I knew in that half hour interview; she was something special. In fact, so did her fellow guests, who have continued to comment to me about her over the years.
Loraine has an enthusiasm for life that just takes you in. Each time I introduce her to someone at the café, when she walks away, they all comment on her energy and smile. If you are not happy on a given day, Loraine makes you want to feel that way.
These women each possess special gifts that when combined, has created magic in their business. Their mutual love of Jesus Christ is evident when you walk into their business, Roots Café. Its not because there are pictures of Jesus hanging everywhere because there aren’t any. It is because of the feeling of fellowship that engulfs you as you enter the door.
Their staff seems to understand the mission as they all embody the kindness and welcoming feeling that makes Roots Café seem like home. That feeling of home and comfort is best exemplified by Ann Harvey, who has become the face of the café. Faye and Loraine made a great choice with Ann.
As you can tell from this introduction, I simply cannot say enough good things about these two women … so I will stop here and end by saying this.
I am grateful that God inspired Faye and Loraine to open Roots Café. Their bold example of being ambassadors for Jesus, in their personal lives and in their business, is something we should all follow.
Q: Loraine and Faye: Tell us about yourselves and your families, such as where were you born, where did you go to school and how did Maine become your home?
A: Loraine – I was born in the Philippines and came to Atlanta, GA when I was 12. I graduated with a BBA degree from Life University with a full scholarship and finished in 3 years. In 2013, my husband’s job moved us to Singapore for 2 years. Our next move was supposed to be Arizona but we didn’t feel comfortable raising our child in Arizona so my husband made the decision to change jobs. The new job brought us to Maine in 2015. Our family maybe in Atlanta but Maine quickly became our home because of our church community.
Faye- I was born and raised in Westbrook, Maine. My parents and grandparents were also Westbrook natives. I graduated from Westbrook High School and went on to Graduate from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelors in Sociology and Minor in Education. I spent two more years at the University of New England to receive my K-8 Education Degree.
Q: Tell us about your personal Faith journey, which plays such an obvious role in each of your lives.
A: Loraine – I was raised Catholic and went to a catholic school in the Philippines. That’s all I knew. My father passed away when I was 11 and my mother was already stateside a few years prior. I had multiple women who filled the need for parental guidance. They were devout Catholics. My family is so close to the catholic faith that we have a room with our last name in the Vatican. My search for a deeper and meaningful journey of faith started in my high school years when I visited my friend’s church which was a Pentecostal church. That’s when I discovered how true and real God was. I was longing for something deeper. There was a hole and unfulfilled longing in my heart that I began searching for deeper comfort and relationship. I came to the realization that I don’t have an earthly father to go to for guidance but I have a Heavenly Father that can fulfill all my needs. He was the patch that I needed to close that hole in my heart. He was safe and always available. I didn’t need a physical being to pour out my needs and pains to, I just needed God.
Faye- I was raised Catholic and honestly thought nothing more of the Bible or God after elementary school. I believed in God and would say I believed in Jesus, but never thought about it. I had never read the Bible and only knew stories and memorized prayers. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s that God grabbed me. Yes, He found me. It started when I met my husband. I noticed he was different and asked what it was. He said he was Christian. I wasn’t expecting that. Honestly, it was strange to me to think of people in their 20’s going to church. But I really liked his kind and fun personality. He literally had a light about him and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check out church. God took over from there. I had been under the bondage of a bad choice in my younger years. God knew my pain and wanted to heal it. One night we were hanging with some Christian friends and they were talking about how God knows all and that we are accountable for our actions. (It’s important to stop here and mention that accepting Jesus covers ALL sin. There is no condemnation in Christ and sins are forgiven as far as the east is from the west.) But at this point in time, I didn’t know the truths of the Bible or the peace of the redeeming grace of God. On our way home that night, I started to cry. Not just small tears, but sobbing. It turned into what felt like a movie scene with my husband pulling over in a parking lot and saying he was falling in love with me. He demanded to know what was wrong. I told him he didn’t know everything about me. He didn’t know my deepest secret. I had had an abortion when I was 17. 
His response was perfect. That is why Jesus died on the cross. Jesus knew every bad choice I was going to make in my life and that’s why He chose the cross. That gift is for all who believe it’s true. The next day, I went to church with my now husband. When I opened my brochure there was Abba Women’s Ministry advertising for post abortion recovery Bible studies. This brochure only came out once a year and it was the exact morning after I confessed. It was as if God was saying I know what you did and I love you anyway. He was saying I can heal that pain. Trust me. In that moment, I knew God was real. I went through that study and now lead it for other women wanting freedom in Christ. I later read the Bible and God planted a fire in my to share His hope and love that no one can put out. I wanted to share the same peace I had.
Q: The two of you started Roots Café in Westbrook. Tell us about the Café, how you run it and the varying aspects of it that have set Roots apart from others. In other words, what make Roots Café unique?
A: As partners, we have to recognize and determine our “lane”. We communicate openly with each other and we always know what’s going on. Partnership is like a marriage and that’s how we are with the Café. Lorraine is more on the business and operations while Faye is a more heart approach. We balance each other perfectly. Our goal is to share kindness to all who visit making our motto “Live Out Love.” We want customers to leave feeling better than when they came in. Our food is also dedicated to the goodness of our customers. We use local, organic goods when available, without preservatives, dyes, and additives. Because of this concept, most of our sauces, syrups, and menu items are made in house. We want customers to feel good knowing they are eating healthy options. Our coffee is also organic and fair trade allowing producers in developing countries to get a fair wage for their work.
Q: You can immediately tell there is something different about Roots Café when you walk through the door. From the inspirational books and videos that greet you when you walk in, to the attitude of the friendly staff, Roots has a unique personality as a business. What do you attribute this atmosphere to?
A: We do our best to make our customers and staff our priority. Our primary reason for opening Roots is so that we can love on the community, it is our mission. We knew that if we approach everything with love and kindness that everything else would fall into place. It’s Live Out Love! We literally want to love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving on people is what we are called to do. We love because He loved us first.
Q: As a Café that is run based on Christian values, how has the public reacted to your unique and bold approach to doing business?
A: It would be a lie if we say it’s easy. We get criticized for everything we do. Everyone has their eyes on us and they notice everything. We have to change the perception that Christians are perfect and that we are holier than thou. It’s actually the opposite. We follow Christ because we know that we are not perfect, we are broken and we are a mess. We go to church and worship our God because we need His comfort and healing. We don’t go to the hospital because we’re well, do we? We are not strangers to humility and vulnerability. We have challenges but we pray about it. We do our best to approach everything calmly. God placed us here, provided, and gave us this opportunity all for His Glory. We’re abiding the best we can. We all need a little love and kindness once in a while, a safe place to just be, and that’s all we want Roots to be to the community and everyone that visits this place. We give them a smile and we treat them all the same because that’s the kind of love God has for us. He loves us all the same.
Q: As you reached your first full year of operating your business, you opened a second Café at Eastpoint Christian Church. This is another bold step in your journey as business owners. Why did you choose Eastpoint for your second location?
A: Eastpoint is actually a gift! We needed another way to expand our portfolio during slow months and the Team at Eastpoint reached out to us to be at their café area. It took a lot of prayers and vision to make this partnership happen. We say partnership because Eastpoint partnered with us in the build-out of the area. It’s another testament on how God as his hands on this venture.
Let’s ask a few personal questions about each of you:
Q: What is the last book you read and what did you learn from it?
A: Lorraine – Undaunted by Christian Cain. I learned that God knows my everything. My pain, fear, desires, and struggles He uses for His Glory. To tell a story of his redemptive work in our lives. We just have to be bold and courageous to seek out and fulfill our destiny.
A: Faye – Letters To the Church by Francis Chan. I learned that the church isn’t just a building. The church is the people in the building. And the passion of God’s loving people is unstoppable when we put our whole heart into serving God. With the Holy Spirit we are capable of so much. We need to rely daily on prayer and dig in deep to scripture. And not be afraid of stepping outside of our routines. When God leads and we listen the world changes for the better. His way not our way.
Q: What is your favorite food to eat and where do you love to eat it?
A: Lorraine – Everything! I love to eat everything I don’t have to make. My family loves Boda, Empire, Sichuan Kitchen, Sinful Kitchen, Royal River and of course Roots Café!
A: Faye – Lobstah! It’s such a unique flavor. Growing up in Maine it’s always been my birthday dinner. I remember eating 4 in one sitting!
Q: What is your favorite genre of music and who is your favorite artist?
A: Lorraine – It’s always been Christian music for me. All kinds from praise and worship to pop Christian. My jam in a moment is the new Elevation Worship and Hillsong Album. I love the prophetic worship of Kim Walker. You can’t help but fall on your knees and worship our God with everything you’ve got.
A: Faye – I love music! This is a hard question to answer because I have so many favorites and genres. Words have power and I truly believe what you listen to affects your thoughts. Finding positive life giving songs in all genres actually became a passion and hobby of mine. Now friends come to me and ask for playlists. Hip Hop has such a fun beat, yet worship music puts me in a connection with God that no other style can. It’s like a form of prayer. King of My Heart, Phil Wickham, and Surrounded by Upper Room are a few worship songs and singers I love. For fun dance I recommend Gawvi, Citizen Way, and Kanye West’s new album Jesus is King!
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Lorraine – Mulan. I love how she was empowered and committed to make a difference. And to actually contribute to the success of the cause.
Faye – God’s Not Dead.
Q: Tell us three things about yourself that you would like people to know?
A: Lorraine – Aside from cooking and baking, I love to play tennis, decorate and sew curtains. I love seeing old become new! I love working on challenging projects.
Faye – I love kids and also own a preschool. Being outside in the sun makes me happy and my favorite smell is fresh cut grass. There is no greater sound than a babies giggle!
