�鶹��ý

WAXAHACHIE, TX

JUNE 30, 2017 | Andrew Hurst

Melisa Garcia was excited to step into the purpose and plan God had for her after graduating from high school in 2006. As she sought after the Lord, she experienced a dream. It was in this dream that God revealed a unique project for her to utilize her gifts as writer and artist – a devotional journal.

She began developing her journal. However, something felt off. “I heard the voice of God very sweetly saying ‘not yet’,” Garcia says. She revisited this project year after year yet it never felt quite right.

More than 10 years later, Garcia’s dream has finally come to fruition. She recently released a devotional journal for “ Illustrated Faith .”

Illustrated Faith is a creative journaling platform with a goal to minister to women through journaling Bibles and kits. The company only chooses 12 artists a year to create devotional kits.

“With all of the exceptionally creative people out there, it was such an honor to be chosen by them,” she says. “It’s been a humbling experience to work with Illustrated Faith because they have such an incredible platform to reach and speak into the lives of women all over the world.”

The devotional journal was released last week and is available for purchase on Illustrated Faith’s website.

“When I began this journey of blogging and selling products, my prayers were always to reach women,” Garcia says.

Garcia started a blog and an ETSY shop account called Pie N’ the Sky (PS) during her sophomore year in college. She started by knitting headbands which eventually evolved into jewelry making and painting and designing Bible covers. Similar to her devotional, Pie N’ the Sky is founded on reaching women. “I wanted to meet women where they’re at, and remind them of the truth of God’s Word. Whether that’s in something I write, something I paint or something I say. My hope is that PS would be a brand that unites women, that lifts them up and calls them to be exactly who God has created them to be.”

Garcia also works as the Director of Marketing and Recruitment at Clear Lake Christian School in Houston, Texas . She recently moved from Mansfield, Texas, with her husband, Elisha, to become the new Youth Pastors of Grace Church . With sights set on full-time ministry, she believes her time at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) has prepared her for ministry. “The professors taught me how to think critically, how to study my Bible, how to develop a sermon and how to live out my faith by setting exceptional examples for me daily.”

Garcia graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Ministry in 2011 and completed her Master’s in Early Childhood Education in 2016. She also worked as the Director of Online Admissions at SAGU.

Before attending SAGU, she entered Master’s Commission in order to receive her credentials. Master’s Commission is a nine-month discipleship program in which students commit their time to full-time ministry and spiritual growth.

As for the future, Garcia is excited to continue experiencing God’s faithfulness through her gifts as a writer and artist along with her and her husband’s ministry. “I often think of Luke 1:45,” she says. “‘Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!’ (NIV). I am trusting that people will come to know Christ, learn how to love Him, see themselves as beautiful and capable, lean into His ways and grow to be the women of God He has called them to be.”

�鶹��ý SAGU:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, masters and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.