Meet Jessica DeYoung

About Me

Hey there! I'm Jessica DeYoung - a wife, mom of four, and a woman on a mission. I founded Grace Unworthy Ministries, created the Made Whole women's conference, and host the Perspectives Into Practice podcast. Oh, and my family and I also happen to live in a 40-foot bus (affectionately nicknamed “Abby”) as we travel full-time across North America on our Adventures on Purpose journey. My passion is simple: to empower women to be who God created them to be - to walk in confidence and share their stories without restraint. I believe every woman, no matter how messy or hidden her past, deserves to be seen, heard, and loved in the light of God's grace.

A Heart for Unseen Women

My ministry was born out of a conviction that too many women in church feel unseen and unheard - especially if they carry hard pasts or hidden pain. If you've ever felt like your story is “too much” or that you have to hide parts of your life to be accepted, I see you. I've been there in the pews, sensing the hurt and shame that keep so many of us silent. Grace Unworthy Ministries got its name because I want every “unworthy”-feeling soul to know God's grace is especially for you. In this space, there is no condemnation, no pretending, and no shame - just real stories and the healing love of Christ. I am passionate about helping women walk in freedom, without shame, guilt, or fear, and boldly claim their identity in Christ. Your story matters, and God can use every part of it.

Unfiltered Faith & Real Talk

One thing you should know about me: I don't do “sanitized” or surface-level. You'll often find me openly talking about the very topics many churches tend to tiptoe around, including:

• Abortion and its aftermath - the pain, the guilt, and the path to forgiveness.
• Mental health struggles - depression, anxiety, and finding hope in the dark.
• Unwed pregnancy - the stigma, the struggle, and God's grace for single mamas.
• Divorce and broken relationships - healing from heartbreak and learning to love again.

Nothing is off-limits if it's part of your story. I believe God's truth applies to every part of our lives, even the messy bits, so I refuse to gloss over the hard stuff. I share from my own experiences and the wisdom God's given me, speaking with honesty and without restraint because I want you to know you're not alone. And just because the topics are heavy doesn't mean my style isn't full of life! My speaking style is often described as warm, fun, and full of heart - like a trusted friend who isn't afraid to tell you the truth. Don't be surprised if I break into a song lyric from Frozen or quote a favorite movie in the middle of a message, followed up by a powerful Scripture. I love to weave humor and relatable stories with biblical truth. Whether I'm sharing a hard testimony or a goofy mom moment, I keep it real and relatable. My goal is to make you feel comfortable and safe, so that walls come down and real healing can happen.

Adventures on Purpose: Life on the Road

Believe it or not, my family of six lives on a bus! My husband, Jeremy, and I—along with our four kids—felt God calling us to a grand adventure, and now we travel full-time across the U.S. and Canada in our big blue bus named Abby. We call it Adventures on Purpose because we're not just sightseeing; we're living intentionally wherever God sends us. Life on the road has taught me so much about faith and flexibility. When your backyard changes every week, you learn to trust God in the unexpected and find beauty in every new place. I've discovered that community isn't about a location, it's about connection. Wherever we park Abby, I love forming bonds with women—whether it's praying with a new friend at a campground, striking up conversation in a coffee shop, or visiting a local church and instantly feeling like family. Moving constantly could make us lonely, but God has shown me how to build community even in motion. Through social media and the podcast, I stay connected with a sisterhood of women all over the country. We might be nomads, but our hearts are firmly rooted in purpose: to love God and people everywhere we go. Every day on the road is an adventure and a reminder that God's church has no walls. I've spoken in small town chapels and big city events, and one thing remains true: when Jesus is at the center, you can feel at home no matter where you are.

Guided by God's Voice

My journey into ministry wasn't the plan I originally had for myself - it was God's idea! A few years ago, I was neck-deep in a career as a childbirth educator and even headed to midwifery school. Then one quiet morning in 2017, I clearly felt God whispering a new calling to my heart: “Be an author, and eventually, a speaker.” I remember sitting on the couch, sobbing to my husband about it. I felt completely ill-equipped and honestly scared. But I also knew that voice was the Lord's, and I had promised to follow Him wherever He led. So I said yes. I put aside my own plans and stepped out in faith into the great unknown of writing and speaking. And you know what? God proved faithful every step of the way. From sending out my first devotional emails to hosting that first Made Whole conference, I've been on a “learn-as-I-go” adventure with God. Sometimes I've had to take scary leaps or make course corrections when things didn't go as I expected. (I like to say life with God is a series of “yes, but not quite” moments - He often answers our prayers in ways we don't anticipate!) Through it all, I've learned to keep my ears attuned to His voice and my heart willing to obey, even if I don't have the whole roadmap. My favorite guiding Scripture, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, says it perfectly: “May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole...” and it ends with, “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” I hold onto that promise. God is the one who makes us whole and completes the work - our job is to trust Him and say yes. Every time I've trusted His voice - whether it was pivoting my career, selling our house to live on a bus, or simply sharing a vulnerable story in a sermon - He has shown up and done what only He can do. I'm living proof that when you listen for His gentle whisper and follow, amazing things happen.

Join the Journey

At the end of the day, my “About Me” is really about God and YOU. My heart beats to see women like you step into the fullness of who God made you to be. I want you to know freedom like I have - the kind that comes from dropping the mask and giving God all the broken pieces, then watching Him create something beautiful. Whether you connect with me through an episode of the podcast, at a Made Whole conference, or even if our big bus rolls through your town, my hope is that you feel like you've found a friend. I'm here to cheer you on as you find your voice and embrace your story. We may not have met yet, but I already believe this about you: you are seen, you are loved, and your story isn't over - in fact, it's just beginning. So come along with me, sister. Let's walk this journey of faith together, arm in arm, unashamed and expectant for what God will do. You were made for more, and I'm excited to see you step into it. Welcome to the adventure!