Podcast Episodes

Episode 23: Melissa Livingston

by Rachel Caldwell

My sweet friend Melissa Livingston joins me for episode 23! Melissa and I met as dance majors at Belhaven University, and have enjoyed cheering each other on in life ever since. Melissa and her husband Jeremy are passionate about ministry and discipleship, and are also health coaches to help encourage others towards optimal and holistic health.

We start by sharing our love for all things Fall and reminiscing a bit about our college years. Melissa shares about her journey as a dancer, from beginning as a young girl to the God story of how she ended up pursuing her BFA in Dance. For Melissa, connecting faith to her life as a dancer was a challenge. She shares how a seriously low point in college allowed her to grow closer to God and even integrate her faith more deeply into her art form. 

After college, Melissa continued to develop a love for teaching, and spent five years teaching ballet for the pre-professional students at The Link School of the Arts. We chat about where Melissa’s love for teaching began and the power and beauty of mentorship.

Over time, Melissa felt new dreams awakening, and she began transitioning into ministry. Her passion for teaching has taken new shape as she and Jeremy continue to teach and disciple others through ministry in the local church. May Melissa’s journey encourage you to remember that your identity is not about what you do, but who God says you are. 

You can listen to the show HERE, and you can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app (ie. Apple Podcasts, Spotify).  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

About Melissa:

Melissa Livingston was born and raised outside of Philadelphia PA. She started dance at the age of 6 in a pre-professional ballet school and also attended a performing arts high school which widened her performance and artistic exposure. Following high school, Melissa went on to receive her BFA from Belhaven University. A year after college, she moved to Michigan and taught at the Link School of the Arts for 5 years. Alongside her teaching life, she found a new love — ministry. She began to realize God had called her to teach more than just dance. Through a series of events, Melissa says that God revealed He had given her a heart for discipleship and ministry. As she explains, her mind and heart were WRECKED. She had worked so hard for this life that she created and then God did about a 180 degree turn on her. She met the love of her life in 2017 and in 2018 they got married and moved to NW Arkansas. They moved back to Michigan in 2019 to pursue ministry dreams. Through the uncertainty the year 2020 has brought, Melissa reminds us that one thing remains. God is FAITHFUL. 

Links from the Show:

Connect with Melissa:

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