Marci Julin

 

Born in southern California to Ron and Linda Kissel but primarily raised in the Atlanta area, Marci Julin is one of four children.  At a young age, Marci heard the Gospel in a Baptist Sunday school class and responded by placing her trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.  King David characterizes how she feels when he says, For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.   From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb, I will ever praise you (Psalm 71:5-6).  At 8 years old she felt the call of God to reach the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ and had the unique privilege of spending her teenage summers on the mission field.   That desire to see people come to saving faith in Jesus Christ never abated, but the realities of life prevented full-time service.

 

While attending Bryan College, a Christian liberal arts college in Dayton, Tennessee, she met and married Seth, her husband now of 28 years.  Before the birth of their son, they moved to the Orlando, Florida area to be near family but recently moved to north Georgia.  Although she graduated from Bryan with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a minor in Bible, Marci chose to be a homemaker and homeschool their only child, Caleb, through the 7th grade.  She then taught Latin part-time and then 3rd-grade full time at her son's classical Christian school.

 

In spite of always feeling God's hand on her life and desiring to please Him, Marci struggled with depression and trusting that God loved her personally due to many years of plaguing health problems.  As a type-A, driven person she continued pushing herself to her physical limits, always striving to be perfect in everything in order to win the approval of her Lord.  It wasn't until God allowed her to become bedridden that she was forced to deal with her misconceptions about God and His deep, unfailing love for her.  As the merciful Savior brought healing to her heart and mind through Scripture, He also brought complete physical healing.   She now wholeheartedly agrees with the Psalmist when he says, It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.  The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold (Psalm 119:71-72).

 

Since her son, Caleb, left home to attend college, Marci founded Heart and Mind Ministries while continuing the noble pursuits of homemaking and being her husband's helpmate. Her passion is studying God's Word and sharing those deep truths with others through speaking and writing.  She also enjoys traveling and exploring the beautiful areas of God's amazing creation with her family, running, gardening,  and serving in her local church.  Caleb married and resides in Tennessee. Although acutely aware of the sanctifying work that God still needs to accomplish in her, Marci longs to inspire others with a passion for God's Word and a love for her Savior.