There’s no doubt that Summer 2020 was unlike any other. For many young people in The Salvation Army, summer means working at or attending summer camp. COVID-19 put a stop to that. However, it opened doors to other areas, and this past summer, Anna-Karin Nance found herself on a summer ministry team. Anna and the ministry team she was a part of traveled around the region, visiting different corps (churches), helping out in their local Thrift Stores and conducting Vacation Bible Schools, where Anna taught arts and crafts to local children.

Art has played a huge role in Anna-Karin’s life. As the daughter of Salvation Army officers (pastors), Anna-Karin grew up serving and helping her community. Helping out with Angel Tree and Red Kettles at Christmas or pitching in on the day-to-day duties was a way of life. It wasn’t until she was 15 years old that Anna-Karin found a way that she could serve the Lord and use her gifts at the same time.

At 15 years old, Anna-Karin had created a simple drawing with an inspirational saying for her mom, not really thinking much about it—until her mom passed it on to someone who was going through a rough patch. A week later, that person came back to Anna-Karin, telling her that the art had helped to lift her spirits and encouraged her to keep moving forward. Until then, art had been something she did for herself, for fun, but this experience opened her eyes to a new way of using this hobby for others. The Lord began to show Anna-Karin that she could use her gifts to glorify Him and to point others toward Him.

This fall, Anna-Karin began her sophomore year at Spring Arbor University, studying art. Like her work with young people this summer, Anna-Karin hopes to utilize her gifts in her future. Her dream is to become an art therapist, helping adults and children work through their trauma with art. As she moves forward with her dream, Anna-Karin remembers that first moment where she felt purpose in her art and is determined to use it for the Lord, both in her own relationship with God and in pointing others toward Him.

We’d love to hear what God’s doing in your life! Submit your story at peermag.org/ contribute.