5 minutes with Katie

Please tell us a little about yourself

I'm Katie, I'm from the UK and moved to Sydney 16 years ago with my husband and eldest child. We found Jesus in Australia within 6 months of arriving and we now have two more kids and live on the Northern Beaches.

I work for Mission Australia Housing where we build social and affordable housing to combat homelessness; and I also run a Christian greeting card business, Cards By Katie that sells beautiful bible verse cards.

Do you have a favourite bible passage? If so, what is it and why?

Isaiah 55 - 8-11

It reminds me that when I get caught up in the small stuff that God's plan is way bigger than I can imagine or dream of. So many times I've prayed for something and something completely different has happened and then I look back and see that God's plan was way better for me that what I asked for. And when I am prompted to do something completely out of my comfort zone, I know that it is God and His ways, because I would never come up with that on my own (see: me volunteering for Youth Leader for a year!) 

How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

I have ADHD so I find distraction is a massive issue for me. I have alarms and reminders to prompt me to pray and read my bible, and I listen to worship music ALL the time.  I've recently started leaving my phone out of my bedroom and reading my devotional book first thing in the morning instead of scrolling. But I fall short all the time, and I'm thankful to be in a Growth Group with 10 amazing women and we meet every week. I am one of the leaders and that also helps me to be accountable to prepare and read.

What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?

That intergenerational ministry and friendships are so important. There is no other community where you can mix with people from 0-100 who all believe the same thing. I have benefited from friendships of women in their 70s and in their late teens, and have learned so much from both groups about Jesus and who He is.

What's one thing that you love about your local church?

So many things! But the main two (I know you asked for one!) are that it is part of the wider community outside the Christian community. People love and appreciate our church in Manly because we shine the light of Jesus outwards through events, ministries and just having open doors.

The other is the ability of the leadership team to learn and grow. They are bible-teaching leaders with loving hearts and things have massively improved in the 15 years that I've been attending, around issues like women preaching and domestic abuse.

What did you learn about God at a time in your life you found hard?

That He will always give you what you need. There have been times when finances have been a real struggle for us, and I have worried. But we always have enough, and it has sometimes felt supernatural - like Jesus feeding the 5000. We have always had a home, a car and food, and when there have been times when I have really panicked there have been miraculous gifts that can only be from God.

What are you passionate about? I'm really keen to share more about ADHD and how it has affected my walk with Jesus. I spent many years feeling like I was failing as a Christian when I struggled to focus for long enough to pray intentionally or read my bible regularly.  I know God doesn't want me to feel guilty for something that is in my nature and is the way He made me and my brain. I'm exploring ways to share that with other neurodivergent Christians.

What do you enjoy doing when you rest?

I love snorkelling - it’s the only time I am truly focused on what I am doing. My current hyperfocus hobby is painting by number canvases that my husband insists on hanging in our house! Mostly I love spending time designing my cards and finding inspiring bible verses to go with them.