(Photo by Selma Komisky)

A Note from the Editor: July, 2019
The Dear Younger Me Issue 

By Sarah Komisky

One of the best things about memoirs is the authenticity it brings. Books like “Angela’s Ashes,” “Diary of Anne Frank,” or “I know Why The Caged Bird Sings” have all been at the top of the list because they are real.  Although the backdrops may be different, such as poverty or racism, the message is the same – authenticity. Why are we drawn to the Psalms in the Bible? We relate to them. This also happens with film. Documentaries. Movies based on true stories. We identify with the actor on screen because we are the actor. In music, the best songs that are usually the ones where we felt someone wrote about our own lives.

Our thoughts, feelings, and journeys matter. The power of putting pen to paper is undeniable. That is because your entry is legitimate, identifiable, substantiated, and irrefutable. Something we all connect with on a universal level because it’s your story.

That’s why the writers at Marked Ministry are flipping through the pages of past journal entries and sharing them with you. We are taking a look at our histories and getting honest – sharing our stories with you in the rawest form inside our special issue “Dear Younger Me.”

Our collected reflections will include stories from our childhood through adulthood on heartbreak, insecurities, overcoming fears, growing in faith, and so much more, all through the lenses of hope!

In the “Arts” section, we will be looking at the memoir, “Don’t Stop Believin’: The Man, the Band, and the and The Song that Inspired Generations” from Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain. You’re not going to want to miss this story!  We also caught up with Director/Producer Jessica Van Der Wyngaard of the indie documentary, “I Survived I Kissed Dating Goodbye” where she reflections as a former reader of Joshua Harris’ staple book on relationships and purity.

You’ll also want to be one of the first to read the exciting MM exclusive showcase interview from former lead vocalist Of Mice and Men. In this untold story, Austin is revealing for the first time, the next chapter in his career as well as his reflections on life and what he believes matters most. And, don’t forget to tune into our Instagram Live Chat with Austin on July 1^st when the speaker and singer will be answering all the questions you have on this exclusive interview. So stay tuned!

In a world that can often times be filled with the synthetic and manufactured, we at Marked Ministry hope to bring you something real. We hope to bring you something of beauty – even if it shows beauty in the brokenness. We also hope this issue sparks something personal inside of you to be encouraged to look deeper inside yourself and let the past not define you, but be used to make you even better when it’s placed in the hands of God – the Author of your story.

May our stories help you wherever you are in your journey.