From Miscarriage to Ministry: How Faith Carried Us Through the Storm 💔➡️🙏
A conversation between Jake & Monica Pietrzyk, guests; and Devaughn Williamson, host.
Monica and Jake’s journey is such a powerful example of real-life faith in the middle of deep pain. When they first got pregnant, it was unexpected but incredibly joyful. Jake had gone from not wanting kids to being over the moon about becoming a dad. But then came the heartbreak—a miscarriage that shattered them. Jake put it into words painfully: “I can’t believe I’m not a dad anymore.” That moment of loss took them from such a high to a devastating low.
What got them through wasn’t just each other—it was their church community and their unshaken trust in God. Even when it didn’t feel like God was good, Monica got on her knees and declared, “I trust you, Lord.” Not because she felt it, but because she chose to believe it. She declared God’s goodness out loud until her heart caught up. That’s real faith—believing even when the evidence says otherwise.
A few months later, they did get pregnant again, but the fear lingered. Miscarriage stole some of their joy. Still, they moved forward, this time clinging tighter to God’s promises. And then there’s the ministry journey. They’ve both been deeply involved in church life, but it hasn’t always been easy. Ministry burned them out. There was a season when Jake didn’t think he could watch Monica go back to church work. The constant grind and pressure just took too much of a toll.
But then God did something unexpected—he brought healing and restoration. After stepping away, Monica went through a recovery ministry, dealing with anxiety, control, and finding her identity outside of ministry. It was humbling, but also freeing. She realized she needed Jesus every moment—not just for salvation, but for survival. And Jake? He stood by her, supported her, picked up responsibilities at home, and encouraged her as she leaned into healing.
Now, they’re back in ministry—but in a much healthier, God-led way. Their church today feels like a breath of fresh air. And more importantly, they are different. They see ministry as a calling, not a burden.
Jake encouraged people not to overcomplicate God’s will. He said, if it brings God glory and it's something you genuinely want to do, walk in that. God will close the wrong doors. Monica, on the other hand, reminded us that it’s okay—even beautiful—to depend fully on God. She realized she had spent much of her life striving to be “enough,” only to learn that Jesus already did the heavy lifting. There’s so much freedom in letting go of performance and simply abiding in Him.
One especially moving moment was when Monica shared a story from worship—seeing a father lovingly care for his disabled daughter. It hit her: that’s how God sees us. Our dependence on Him isn’t a burden—it’s His joy. That truth reframed everything for her.
So if you’re going through a rough patch, Monica and Jake’s story is a reminder that you’re not alone. Struggles don’t mean you’re off-track—they might be where God’s doing His deepest work. Hold on. Trust Him. And know that depending on Him isn’t weakness—it’s exactly where the strength is.
If Jake & Monica’s story inspired you, consider sharing it with someone who needs encouragement. And I encourage you to partner with Faith Ignite to help bring more stories of hope to the world. Together, we can spread messages of God's faithfulness to those who need it most.
Devaughn Williamson President, Faith Ignite Inc
