Scripture That Speaks
Helping women encounter God personally through His Word.
Hi, I’m Kari!
I teach Christian women how to encounter God through Scripture using the practice of Ignatian prayer. By entering the biblical story with imagination and reflection, women often discover that the Bible feels more alive, personal, and accessible than they expected.
My teaching is gentle, grounded in Scripture, and designed to give women practical tools for prayer they can continue long after the event is over.
Kari is honestly one of our favorite speakers to work with.
“Whether she’s sharing practical tools, offering heartfelt encouragement, or helping people take the next small step forward, Kari brings such a meaningful, down-to-earth presence. She’s consistent, easy to work with, and always brings her whole heart. I recommend her every chance I get.”
— Laurie Graham, Founder of Small Church Ministry & Co-Founder of Smart Soulful Business
Signature Talk
Encountering God in the Word
Description:
What if Scripture wasn’t just something we study, but somewhere we meet with God?
In this interactive teaching experience, Kari guides women through a passage of Scripture using rich biblical insight, imaginative prayer, and intentional reflection. Participants don’t just learn the text. They step into it.
Blending thoughtful teaching with practical spiritual formation practices, this session helps women slow down, listen deeply, and personally encounter the Lord through His Word.
Each talk is customized to the event theme or chosen passage, while maintaining a consistent framework designed to move listeners from information to transformation.
Participants will:
- Learn how to engage Scripture in a deeper, more personal way
- Experience guided imaginative prayer rooted in biblical truth
- Practice reflection or journaling that moves truth from mind to heart
- Gain a simple, repeatable framework they can use long after the event
- Leave with renewed confidence in hearing from God through His Word
Perfectly suited for gatherings of any size...
“Kari’s deep love for the Lord and gentle spirit was apparent in all she did. Her message and style were perfectly suited for gatherings of any size—whether for a group of 10 or a large audience of 300+—which speaks volumes about her ability to connect and inspire women in any setting. We would definitely have her back.”
— Cheryl Hackney, Women’s Team Leader, Sunbury Christian Church
Ready to Invite Kari to Speak?
Thank you for considering me for your event. It would be an honor to serve your community!
Fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch soon.
(Or email me directly if that’s easier.)
I look forward to partnering with you.
Official Bio:
Kari Bartkus is a spiritual director who walks with women who are hurting to help them recognize God’s presence in the midst of their pain—specifically through writing and journaling. She has served in children’s ministry, youth ministry, adult Bible studies, and small groups, and her greatest passion is bringing Scripture to life in ways that are relatable, gentle, and deeply rooted in God’s heart.
Kari holds a master’s degree in Professional Communication Studies with a focus on rhetoric and transformational leadership communication. She is a Certified Writing Guide through Write Your Self, a Certified Life Coach, a Certified Painted Prayers Instructor, and has ten years of experience teaching college-level public speaking. Her training spans biblical studies, spiritual formation, spiritual direction, editing, and journal therapy.
She lives in a small town in Indiana with her husband, kids, a 90-pound black lab, and a 5-pound chihuahua. Learn more at lovedoesthat.org.
Testimonials
Kari is honestly one of our favorite speakers to work with.
We run four online conferences a year, so I’m constantly recruiting speakers–and I’m always paying attention to the ones I can count on. Not just for great content, but for how they show up, how they communicate, and how they care about the people on the other side of the screen. Kari checks every box.
She takes the time to understand who she’s speaking to and tailors her message in a way that feels personal, thoughtful, and really grounded. You can tell she’s lived what she teaches. She has this humble authority about her . . . steady, kind, and genuinely invested in helping people grow.
Whether she’s sharing practical tools, offering heartfelt encouragement, or helping people take the next small step forward, Kari brings such a meaningful, down-to-earth presence. She’s consistent, easy to work with, and always brings her whole heart.
I recommend her every chance I get.
Laurie Graham, Founder of Small Church Ministry & Co-Founder of Smart Soulful Business
Perfectly suited for gatherings of any size…
From the very first email exchange with Kari, I sensed a genuine connection and authenticity. Kari was instrumental in developing our women’s conference theme and overall direction. She listened to where God was guiding her, ensuring the conference reflected His purpose. Her thoughtful suggestions and flexibility made planning easy and the event more meaningful for everyone involved.
Kari’s deep love for the Lord and gentle spirit was apparent in all she did. Her message and style were perfectly suited for gatherings of any size—whether for a group of 10 or a large audience of 300+—which speaks volumes about her ability to connect and inspire women in any setting. We would definitely have her back.
Cheryl Hackney, Women’s Team Leader, Sunbury Christian Church
Her style of presenting Scriptures was like storytelling…
Kari’s presentation style was inviting, calming and connected to her heart. I was immediately engaged. She put herself out there with authentic vulnerability that I related to. Her style of presenting Scriptures was like storytelling. I was captured by her questions because she shared them from her perspective.
Velma, women’s conference participant
The only thing I would suggest is to record her…
Kari was a calm voice in our hurried lives with very practical advice. I loved the way she wove Old Testament and New Testament into her message. The only thing I would suggest is to record her. Her talk was so rich, I couldn’t write fast enough to get it all down. We should have her back.
Bobbie, women’s conference participant
What she said resonated with her audience…
Kari did a great job in helping us relate to her talk. Our table group had a great discussion. We each took a turn in asking the questions and were able to share with each question. I think a fantastic measure of how she reached our women is how almost every woman surrendered something in the water pails. That tells me what she said resonated with her audience, and they responded to the Spirit’s leading. What a glorious outpouring! Nothing but love to her, and for God’s hand to continue to lead her and others through her ministry.
Jane, women’s conference participant
