In today’s written interview, I’m thrilled to feature a sweet friend and fellow church creative—Miss Hannah Eilers!
Hannah is someone the Lord has filled with such a beautiful blend of passion and creativity. Her heart to glorify Him through her work is so evident and inspiring. She continually encourages me, and I know her story will uplift and inspire you, too.
As the Media and Marketing Director for a church in Central Minnesota, Hannah shares her creative journey, lessons she’s learned in ministry, and her heart behind the work she does.
Let’s dive in!
1. Tell our audience a little about yourself and your creative journey! High school to UNI to MN!
Hi!! I’m Hannah Eilers, a 22-year-old creative living in Central Minnesota!
I’ve always loved creative processes, color theory, and dreaming. I was able to dip my toes into the world of graphic design in my high school years, which made me fall in love with art and creating even more!
In the fall of 2021, I enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa (go cats!), as a Graphic Design major. I became immersed into the world of artistry, skill, and studio classes. Within my few years of college, I was able to experience how being in a relationship with Christ could fix my eyes on kingdom efforts– desiring more than what a college degree could possibly provide me, in the circumstances I found myself in!
The summer following my sophomore year, through a great connection of a friend, I was able to intern at a church in Central Minnesota. The Lord met me in that small town, and helped me realize that His plan was going to look a lot sweeter than my own. Yet, it came with more discomfort than if I were to perform these miraculous abilities on my own!
Time and time again, running back to the Father in prayer and quiet, I felt an indescribable sense of peace considering the circumstances in front of me. I decided not to continue my degree and instead stay in Minnesota after that summer of heart-change! The month of May marks two years of walking obediently with the Lord, celebrating the victories that came from 20-year-old Hannah’s “yes!”
2. What did you learn in your internship/time at UNI that prepared you for your job in creative ministry?
I will say- nothing can quite prepare you for the things that ministry will throw at you. Considering that Creative Ministry is a broader case, compared to vocational/pastoral ministry! I learned countless beneficial elements while working on-campus media positions during my time at UNI. But, I recognized once I came into the position I am currently in, that consistency is a choice.
To choose consistency in your workload, your workflow, and how to tolerate circumstances & certain tasks at hand. For me personally, every day has looked a little different than the last. During my time in my Social Media Manager role at the Wellness and Recreation Center at UNI, I acknowledged how stream-line most operations were in the office. I have appreciated how I’ve been shown to control this choice and use it to my advantage in the workplace!
3. What are some challenges you faced early on in your current job and what would you have done differently looking back?
A challenge that I faced early on in the role that I’m currently in was definitely the comparison of artistic choice. Depending on the feed I was scrolling on to the encounters I had with individuals here, I was constantly being fed things that I enjoyed but began to create a toxic environment in my brain. Thinking that I had to meet needs because of a trend or to receive likes for a post.
It has definitely taken me longer than I would have liked to learn through these struggles, but it has helped remind me that I am an imperfect human! I know that as an artist, designer and a believer of Christ, I am allowed the freedom to express the talents that the Lord has given me. I shouldn’t need to compare my abilities to another’s.
4. How do you balance working creatively while also aligning your work with the church’s mission, vision, and branding?
There is a total switch up when it comes to secular culture and ministry culture. Designing for society brings a lot more open doors to what could be consumed and considered “well done,” but as we see in the Church, it’s not always the most glorifying or righteous thing to post the same trending reel or audio just to get people’s attention. This might be a harsh statement but bear with me- if you can’t align yourself with your Church’s overall mission and vision, then you won’t have fruitful work. I’ve learned that I can’t rely on my own preference and flesh to produce something for the church.
5. How do you stay inspired? What makes your creative juices flow?
Top three things that keep a girl’s creative juices flowing are; music, alone time with Jesus, and spending time in a healthy and uplifting community. Music has always been a huge one for me, I am constantly consuming music, (like any young adult in this generation), which refreshes pieces of my creativity. Spending time with the Lord most definitely nourishes my spiritual soul, but also my creative mind. I have received stronger imagination abilities by entrusting Christ with my dreams, visions, and ultimate authority of my gifts! Community as a young adult has got to be the most life-giving thing to invest in. Sharing experiences and simply doing life with other believers fills a cup that you never realized was running dry.
6. What advice would you give to someone just starting in church marketing or graphic design?
Let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no!” What I mean by that is making sure you aren’t overloading your plate with what sound like exciting and big projects, or seemingly small tasks for another– which consequently leave your other priorities to suffer.
Don’t get me wrong, take that dream project, say “yes” to that new event branding, but recognize your capacity first. Living on the edge of capacity, I believe, slowly works itself to burnout. Using your discernment and judgement to take on opportunities will benefit your job enjoyment, boost your motivation to create, and overall will reassure your abilities to get needs done & requests completely.
7. Where do you see the future of church marketing and design going, and how are you preparing for it?
I think more and more people will discover these crazy talents and gifts from the Lord, which will ultimately result in vast production of variety! I see more vibrant color palettes coming into play, bigger-bolder font styles being used, and creatives kicking hesitancy to the side and running with the creative freedoms of Christ! From production to media, there’s big things coming. How cool is it to be creative?!
Find Hannah’s work on her portfolio website here !
Interested in seeing the ways she’s serving her church? Check out their Instagram below:
