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—not just by reading the story, but by stepping inside it (which is often where things begin to shift).
As women engage their imagination and reflect on what they notice, Scripture often becomes more alive, more personal, and more accessible than they expected.
My teaching is gentle, deeply rooted in Scripture, and designed to give women practical ways to pray and engage with God—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 Ertl, 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
Other Topics Include:
Spiritual Practices
- Journaling as a Spiritual Practice
- Praying the Examen
- Ways to Engage with God’s Word
- Noticing God’s Movement
- Learning to Recognize God’s Voice
- Silence and Solitude in Drawing Close to the Lord
- Imaginative Prayer
Journaling During Hard Seasons
- Ways to Journal When You Don’t Know What to Say
- Journaling Through Grief and Trauma
- Healing in Layers
- Key Lessons for Journaling in Difficult Seasons
- What It Means to Journal Gently
Courageous Care
- What Stops Us From Reaching Out to Those Who Are Hurting
- How God Has Designed You to Care for and Comfort Others
- Circles of Care: Identifying Which One You’re In
And since I also work as an editor and proofreader, I love speaking to other editors about Caring for Yourself When Editing Heavy Topics.
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
Official Bio:
Kari Bartkus is a spiritual director who helps women notice God’s presence in the middle of their actual lives—not just the neat, put-together parts, but the tender, confusing, still-in-progress ones too (which, if we’re honest, is most of it).
Through Scripture, journaling, and gentle, guided reflection, she creates space for women to slow down, listen closely, and reconnect with God in a way that feels personal and grounded—never rushed, never performative.
Kari has spent years serving in children’s, youth, and adult ministry (she’s taught just about every age group at this point), and over a decade teaching college-level public speaking. She holds a master’s degree in Professional Communication Studies and is trained as a Certified Writing Guide, Certified Life Coach, and Certified Painted Prayers Instructor, with additional formation in spiritual direction and journal therapy.
She lives in a small town in Indiana with her husband, their kids, and two very mismatched dogs—a 90-pound black lab and a 5-pound chihuahua. You can 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 Ertl, 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
