Speaking

super survivor. end-of-life doula. storyteller.

AGE 11

karisssa’s mother dies from breast cancer

AGE 14

karissa survives the columbine high school shooting

AGE 20

karissa’s husband is killed in hand-to-hand combat in iraq

AGE 31

karissa is diagnosed with stage IV cancer

karissa often shares her story with those:

  • Who have lost a loved one

  • Who are depressed, anxious and looking for hope

  • Who don’t understand or can’t find their purpose

  • Who take care of the sick or the lost

  • Who are sick or dying

WHO

karissa speaks about:

  • God in the dark

  • Suffering and dying well

  • Finding peace in pain

  • Columbine

  • Facing cancer

  • Hope after loss

  • For a full-list of speaking topics, please reach out

WHAT

karissa’s messages help her listeners:

  • Experience God’s presence in their everyday life.

  • Overcome despair and hopeless to find greater joy

  • Live fearlessly

  • Find greater communion with Jesus

  • Discover greater peace

WHY

  • "Karissa’s testimony is a reminder that suffering can and should produce joy. She shares deep and challenging experiences that have formed a deep, rich foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. Her faith inspires anyone who is struggling to see God amid their pain and suffering with gentle but poignant reminders of how deeply God loves and cares for each of us. Karissa truly represents what it means to worship God even when the suffering doesn’t disappear. Her story is one of a deepening faith and a resolute belief in a sovereign God who is more powerful than we can ever imagine."

    -Pastor Nirup Alphonse - lead pastor, Lifegate Dever

  • "Her painful and raw journey intertwined with love and peace is the beautiful essence of God and His powerful love. The clarity she has on life is a gift. I am so blessed (and challenged) to live like that…. A firm knowledge that Jesus never leaves me no matter my circumstances, and to live in that space of petitioning to God AND ultimately surrendering to HIS will. My youngest has reminded over and over the past 2 weeks of Jesus’s prayer in the garden… “ Please take this cup from me. But not my will. May YOURS be done!” It is a life lesson I may need tattooed on my arm. Praise you Jesus. And thank you for sharing her testimony with me. I am so blessed by this!"

    Julie

  • “I saw Karissa speak and was captivated by her story and honesty. Her journey is jaw-dropping, but where it has left her is even more significant. She inspired and encouraged me to reach for the goodness of the Lord within any circumstance.”

    Ally J.: 36, Colorado native, adventurer

  • “Karissa delivers a powerful message of bravery & faith. Her positive attitude and Hallmark sense of humor shine brightly in spite of her life’s succession of tragic circumstances.”

    Allison F.

  • “Karissa’s authentic testimony, had me both crying and laughing (sometimes within minutes). I found myself nodding often as I related to her grief and adored her humor and realness. Karissa’s contagious joy in the midst of ongoing and unbelievable battles makes her tenacious Spirit extraordinary and inspiring. Her relentless faith magnifies our Mighty God and I am blessed to know and share her story (which has already encouraged a number of my friends and family).”

    Star

  • “Karissa's speaking style is honest, thought provoking, vulnerable and enriching.“

    Janiece M.

  • “Listening to Karissa’s story of God’s transformative work in her life is greatly encouraging to me. She does a beautiful job of recognizing God’s hand in all of the trial she’s experienced- a powerful reminder that God never leaves us.”

    Sydney M.

  • “As I listened to Karissa speak, I felt such a range of emotions — from laughter, to tears, and to joy. Her message left me with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper understanding of God’s incredible love and sovereignty.”

    Gina G.

  • “Thank for being real with your struggle to trust and believe God. It was beautiful to see that you found God’s love to be real again and that you are growing in your trust and knowledge of God and giving others hope that they can too! He is truly giving you beauty for ashes in your life!”

    Becky E.

Hire Karissa to Speak

“My whole life changed when I realized that darkness has no power in and of itself. Darkness is just the absence of light.”