Biographical Profile

(Prepared by Debbie Freeman
Muntsinger McClure Public Relations
for Faith Books and Spiritual Journaling)  

Mindy Caliguire has an eternal and internal calling—helping others care for their soul (without losing sight of her own!). Soul -- that immaterial part that is supposed to feel alive, experience beauty, sense pain, even relate to God.  Mindy adamantly believes our souls are created to not just survive—but to thrive.  Mindy’s journey as an advocate for soul care has been a life-long process full of joy and pain, beauty and sorrow.  And for most of this journey, she has found journaling to be integral to her own soul restoration.

Now Mindy Caliguire has hooked up with artist Sharon Soneff, to create a unique writing partnership in Faith Books & Spiritual Journaling, (Quarry Books/October 2006/$24.99/paperback).  In this one-of-a-kind book, Mindy provides the insights on journaling and other key spiritual practices which lay the foundation for authentic spiritual growth and health.  Sharon provides the passion for art, design and beauty with step-by-step instructions on creating books with spiritual themes. 

Community of Faith

Mindy grew up with a strong Catholic background.  Looking back, Mindy considers her personal growth in her later teen years somewhat “anemic” because of her spiritual isolation. She often attended mass on campus at Cornell University, but drew little relevance to her daily life. In the Fall of her sophomore year, a friend invited her to a Bible study at a frat house. It was there that she first encountered the power of a community of faith.

Married to the Minister

Shortly after graduation, Mindy married that same Bible study leader, Jeff Caliguire, and headed off to Texas where he attended Dallas Theological Seminary while she supported them in the marketplace. Their interest in Willow Creek Community Church, a mega-church based outside of Chicago, IL, was initially sheer fascination with a local church that was passionate about caring for unbelievers and exposing them to the power of a relationship with Christ.  Genuine interest led to the Caliguires’ internships at Willow Creek and ultimately a Boston church plant in 1991.  Mindy and Jeff ministered side-by-side with a passion and internal determination that motivated them on a daily basis—but that energy source would not prove invincible.

Beneath the Fog

In fact, it was after repeated intense seasons of hectic pace, painful setbacks, and life’s disappointments that she and Jeff came to a difficult discovery—their interior life had been neglected. Hidden beneath the fog that had become her life, her soul had shriveled up along the way.  Her life of ministry and caretaking had become a laundry list of duty and obligation.  Her emptiness came to a head when for two entire months she lay in bed suffering with severe vertigo. Mindy felt empty and useless. During this forced period of rest from responsibilities, Mindy began to recognize the dysfunction she had accepted as her reality. She knew she didn’t want to live life that way. And she genuinely wanted—needed—things to be different.

As Mindy sought a path through her desperation she recalled the words of John 15. “The vine and the branches,” was a familiar passage where Jesus spoke to his disciples about abiding in Him.  But in verse 5, He directly admonished them, “apart from me, you can nothing.”  Mindy says God seemed to be asking her, “What part of nothing do you not understand?”

As Mindy began to experience her relationship with God in a new way, close friends and Christian authors led her onto the road of soul restoration.   Journaling, reading “soul books,” connecting in authentic relationships, taking time away—all life-giving practices—became an integral part of Mindy’s life as she found restoration, renewal and refreshment for her own soul.

A Journey of Journaling

When her brother-in-law acquired a company which included a line of beautifully crafted, high-end journals, Mindy’s interest was piqued. Her experience in the marketplace and her recent commitment to the spiritual practice of journaling convinced her that these journals could be sold—and sold well! She and Jeff co-authored an accompanying booklet, Write for the Soul, paired it with the hand-crafted journals and introduced an ideal product package to both the CBA market and the general market.  

This simple unity of Mindy’s ministry passion—soul restoration—and her background in sales and marketing birthed her ministry, Soul Care (www.soulcare.com), in 1998.  As Mindy developed the soul care website, products and training materials to advance the vision of Soul Care, the Caliguires were drawn back to Chicago, for a staff position for Mindy at the mega-church Willow Creek.  From 2001 to 2004, Mindy worked alongside the senior staff of Willow Creek in the areas of spiritual formation, prayer and membership.  Mindy assisted with retreats, events, and leadership development.  Her gifts were a blessing in multiple ways on the campus and in the lives of Willow Creek members. The restoration of her own soul had equipped her for a ministry beyond her imagination. 

Soul Care Today

Two years ago, as the needs of her three young boys and the demands of her church both began to rise, Mindy stepped away from the staff position and returned home to nurture the spiritual growth of Jeffrey, Jonathan, and Joshua (the J-Team!) and to focus on the mission of Soul Care.

Mindy’s dream for Soul Care is simple and two-fold:  that each person would realize his or her innate need for soul keeping and discover the simple and profound ways to do it.  And she hopes that Soul Care can provide a unique benefit for those on that journey.  Says Mindy:  “If we each would take the time to care for our souls, I believe the world would be transformed, one person, one life at a time.” 

Consulting and speaking with groups such as Spiritual Formation Alliance and the Willow Creek Association has broadened Mindy’s platform in the past year.  Mindy mentors Christian leaders by focusing on re-establishing their spiritual vitality as the primary step towards a lifestyle of sustainable ministry and leadership.  In the near future, Mindy will release a workbook series with InterVarsity Press integrating beauty in design with teaching on the spiritual practices needed to care for the soul.

Mindy understands the need for synergy between the head and the heart, the academic and the art.  Soul restoration and artful expression are eternally intertwined—Faith Books & Spiritual Journaling is evidence of that truth.

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August  29, 2006