Michele Perry

Author & Artist. Grace clinger. Pixel tamer. Sunset gazer. Creative Catalyst & Coach. Dream Wrangler. Wonder Curator. Paradigm Iconoclast. Missions Mentor & Mobilizer.

I spent 7 years {2006-2013} in an African war zone rescuing children who were being trafficked or exploited. I founded an international development & ministry base with a children’s rescue home and school for Iris Global {Drs. Heidi & Rolland Baker} that is still impacting hundreds of lives and changing the shape of its community in South Sudan and bordering countries of DR Congo & Uganda. I was so blessed to walk out the dream of a lifetime with my Sudanese family to see a new nation be born from the ashes of war. What an epic journey.

But after 18 rounds with cerebral malaria, multiple other tropical-borne illnesses and the emergence of severe and pervasive food allergies, my health simply crashed in late 2012-2013. Six plus years without a break pulling 18 hour days every day weeks on end probably didn’t help. In Aug 2013 I turned over the work in South Sudan to the organization I founded it under, Iris Global. While I am no longer directly involved, I cheer them on in every way I can.

I’ve lived and worked in some of the poorest places on earth for the better part of the last 20 years. I've ministered and spoken in 30 countries and have a blog that has reached over 200,000 readers in over 170 countries { IllustratedGrace.com}

Now I'm a full-time author and speaker focused on mobilizing missions and mentoring leaders. In 2016, I'll be traveling & speaking again as well as launching a ministry training school.

I’m also an artist and illustrator specializing in water media and visual branding. I also launched Elora Grace, a line of artisan glass pendants in 2015 that helps raise funds for survivors of exploitation & trafficking.

I'm available to speak/teach/minister/share at churches, schools and organizational events. If you'd like to find out more or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.