My name is Lauren Ibach and I am a gospel-focused artist and author. My writing and hand lettering for Jesus had a truly humble beginning. I started keeping a prayer journal after I received Christ as my Lord and Savior in 2012 and the pages rapidly filled with personal prayers to Him. Scattered throughout those pages were encouraging quotes and Bible verses I would creatively hand-letter with whatever pen I had on hand. I didn’t know it at the time, but God was cultivating that time with Him to bear fruit in ways I never could have imagined. 

Learning Brush Lettering

While pursuing a music career in 2015, I decided to learn brush lettering in my free time. I purchased my first brush pen and thoroughly enjoyed playing with different techniques. Much like in my prayer journals, I hand-lettered biblical truths that were resonating with me. By God’s grace, people were connecting with what I was creating as I shared my art on social media.

Business Beginnings

My hobby gradually became a side-hustle, which led me to start learning to hand-letter digitally with an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. After I got married in 2016, I opened my Etsy shop and began selling hand-lettered prints. Initially, growth was slow and my business and lettering lacked a clear direction. But, that began changing in 2017 as I creatively studied the book of Romans. Chapter by chapter, I meticulously wrote key verses and takeaways in my prayer journal. As I shared that project online, many encouraged me to make it into a devotional. So, I decided to self-publish, and that was the start of my journey as an author. Furthermore, it was the project that led me to quit my day job and pursue hand lettering and writing full-time.

Growth for His Glory

I ended up self-publishing three titles (that are no longer in print) and God used those early experiences to grow me as an author. I prayed that if it was His will, He’d connect me with a publisher so that I could reach more people with the truth of His Word and the hope of the gospel with my creative gifts. After some time, through a seemingly “random” business connection, a publisher approached me about creating a one-year Bible reading plan and devotional that became The Bible in A Year. Over the years, we’ve worked together on a handful of titles—including my popular Bible study, Strength in the Struggle. Every opportunity I’ve received has been a privilege, a challenge, and a joy—including self-publishing my latest release Believe, Live, Enjoy, which is a gospel poem and song for babies and toddlers.

When not writing and illustrating books, I continue to make smaller gift items and quiet time resources for my Etsy shop. I create greeting cards, stickers, Scripture memory cards, and I particularly enjoy designing bookmarks that double as Bible reading plans, prayer prompts, and encouraging content to help others grow in their faith.

Business Blessings

I am incredibly grateful to God for all He has done since 2015 when I picked up my first brush pen. He has graciously allowed me to reach thousands of people with the gifts He’s given me. And in His kindness, He has also used this business and ministry to bless our family so I can stay home with our children while continuing to create as He allows. 

Yet, the greatest blessing Jesus has given me as an artist and author is the time I’ve spent meditating on Scripture. Of course, there is a great deal of study, prayer, and deep thought that goes into writing biblically-sound books. But, I often think about how He lovingly writes His Word on my heart as I carefully write His Word by hand. 

To summarize a verse from the hymn The Love of God: Even if the ocean were filled with ink, the sky were made of paper, every blade of grass were a pen, and every person were a scribe, we would run out of resources trying to communicate the rich and measureless love of Christ. I have experienced the tiniest fraction of that illustration. Still, God has used all forms of my writing, not only to express His good news to others, but to deeply imbed in my own heart the goodness of His character and the truth of His Word in ways I will treasure for all eternity.

Soli Deo Gloria!—All glory to God!

Links

• Find my books at: laurenibach.com/books
• Find my gift items and quiet time resources at: laurenibachlettering.etsy.com 
• Follow me on Instagram at: @lauren.ibach
• Subscribe for free content at: laurenibach.com/8-days-of-romans-8