Go Make Disciples: Ministering in the Marketplace

White walls reflect the natural light of the soft, early morning sun. A large studio desk sits in the middle of the room, and in the corner, a woven rug ties in extra warmth and coziness to the creative space.

A little over a year ago, Caroline Dargel transformed this room into her painting studio, the space in which many a bright and peaceful work of art would be brought into existence. She and her husband David had just moved to Macon after David received a role as high school pastor at Ingleside Baptist Church. Caroline’s new art business went with them, a process which involved packing up and moving the old studio, making a nearly seven-hour trip between states, and beginning the journey of building and cultivating relationships and community in a new place.

Finding Southeastern

However, this was not the first major move that the two of them had made in the past few years. After graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University, Caroline and David toured Southeastern, seeking a school that would prepare them both for vocational ministry. David had felt called to ministry since the age of 16, and Caroline was eager to support him on this journey.

“At the time,” Caroline remembered of their visit, “I did not have any idea that I would end up pursuing formal theological training. After touring campus, David and I ultimately felt peace about the leadership, mission, and opportunities available to us both at Southeastern.”

“I had no clue that I would be a pastor’s wife,” she commented, “nor any idea of what that role entailed, but I knew that God had given us as a gift to one another.”

After coming to Southeastern in 2019, Caroline began working in the Registrar’s office on campus and decided also to pursue a master’s degree in ministry leadership. It was during this time in seminary that something else began to spark Caroline’s interest: her old passion for painting.

Discipled at a Young Age

From a young age, art had a strong impression on Caroline, and she often found herself pursuing creative endeavors. Some of this interest was inspired by watching her own parents craft and create as home renovators. Throughout grade school Caroline’s primary focus was tennis, but her parents encouraged her to pursue art classes as well. So, she began to build and refine her creative talent. At the same time, she was growing and developing in her faith, also with the support of her parents.

The middle child of three sisters, Caroline was raised in a family that loved the Lord and kept the gospel central. Her parents encouraged her pursuit of Christ as they exemplified commitment to and investment in the local church. When she was only ten years old, God opened Caroline’s eyes to her sin and her need for salvation. That day, sitting in her backyard with her mother, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior.

“My parents’ example of character, hospitality, and strong work ethic significantly impacted my life,” Caroline recounted. “I was blessed by a legacy of faithful generational disciple making in our church that shaped my life as well.” Little did ten-year-old Caroline know, such disciple making and investment in the younger generation would be in her future as well.

The Creation of Caroline Dargel Art

While at Southeastern, it was not very long before a new element was added to Caroline’s schedule as she started learning how to balance not only education and work but also her old love of art. The beauty of God’s creation captured her heart, and she began to reexplore her artistic skills and desire to display that beauty to those around her.

“In the beginning, I was working on campus during the day and painting at night,” Caroline recalled. “Slowly but surely, I began to share and sell my work to friends and family. During our time in North Carolina, I developed a love for travel — a day trip to the coast or a weekend in the mountains were now possible living on the east coast.”

“To me, there’s immense inspiration when exploring a new place,” she explained. “The colors, landscapes, and culture excite me. In 2021, following a visit to the beach, I launched and sold out my first collection of 18 original paintings in person at the Southeastern Craft and Bake Sale. I felt humbled and overjoyed that what resonated with me so deeply others found beautiful and wanted to put into their homes! Over the next year, I continued working my campus job while starting an art business — learning how to build my own website, launch collections online, share my work on social media, and ship the precious cargo.”

Eventually, Caroline transitioned out of her job on campus in order to turn her art into a full-time job. This direction not only gave her more time and flexibility with which to create, but it also offered the opportunity to build personal relationships with clients, fellow small business owners, and the many people she interacted with either through commissions or art shows. In these ways she could begin to integrate disciple-making into the everyday rhythms of her life, applying the teachings from her seminary classes and further cultivating her love for people and for the gospel.

While reflecting on her time at Southeastern, Caroline considered God’s many blessings in the move to Wake Forest. “My three years on campus as a student and staff member were particularly formative for me, both spiritually and professionally. I grew as a ministry leader more confident in my understanding of God’s word, more aware of how he designed me to serve, and more eager to share the good news of the gospel.”

Transition to a New Ministry

In 2022, after David had graduated with a Master of Divinity and while Caroline was finishing up her degree, God provided them with the ministry opportunity at Ingleside Baptist Church in Georgia. Though the transition between states would present many challenges, in his providence, God also provided Caroline and David a welcoming community at Ingleside.

Since then, she and David have been able to pour into the high school ministry in a variety of ways, and they are currently excited about a theology class that they are teaching together this spring. Caroline has had the opportunity to begin investing in relationships and to continue the work of disciple making, specifically as a small group leader for the tenth-grade girls.

Meanwhile, at home, Caroline Dargel Art has continued to grow. God provided a beautiful studio space for Caroline in their new house. In the peace of natural light, warm flooring, and white walls, she has been able to create many new collections and works of art. In addition, since moving, Caroline has had the opportunity to present and sell her art at different markets throughout Georgia. With these opportunities comes conversations.

“Art is a bridge to reach others,” she reflected. “In the Lord’s kindness, he has opened doors for gospel conversations at art shows. In-person events are a mission field where I seek to make much of Jesus. Unbeknownst to her at the time of purchasing a painting from me, one collector later shared that the title, ‘In the Garden,’ was her late grandmother’s favorite hymn. The artwork depicting an abstract garden landscape took on a deeper meaning and became even more beautiful to her.”

In the Lord’s kindness, he has opened doors for gospel conversations at art shows. In-person events are a mission field where I seek to make much of Jesus.

Caroline’s art draws on the expression and beauty that can be found through gentle, playful colors. Her portfolio demonstrates a variety of different approaches to technique and point of view. As she creates, one theme remains present throughout her art: a celebration of peace and beauty.

“I find beauty in the everyday around me as well as draw inspiration from travel, the scenery of coastal towns, and interior design,” Caroline expressed. “It brings me great joy to help others cultivate meaningful spaces.”

“When I finish a painting,” she added, “it must always pass the test of being something I would want to hang in my own home! Caroline Dargel Art was formed with the desire to bring peace into your home that reflects the beauty found in creation.”

Through the busyness of moving and the challenges of pursuing education, God has sustained Caroline and brought her into a unique and beautiful place in life. From their season of equipping at Southeastern, she and David have gone out to pursue God’s call on their lives. Now, in her work and her day-to-day rhythms, Caroline is able to use the things that she loves, her God-given talents, as a means of worship and disciple making. Her vocation of painting has created pathways and pictures through which to introduce others to this Prince of Peace.

Join us in praying for Caroline as she and David serve Ingleside Baptist Church and Caroline’s art community. Pray that, in this ministry, they would continue to see fruit, would be strengthened to endure, and would be protected from the attacks of the enemy.