About

The Story Behind Pursuing Uncomfortable

When I was 18 years old and had just graduated high school, I set out to attend Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Rucker, AL, having completed Basic Training the year prior. I joined the Illinois Army National Guard looking to grow into a person that could accomplish big goals in life.

Army training did not disappoint! I was challenged and stretched beyond what I thought was possible. Having leaned into that difficult experience, not only did I prevail there, but I carry that with me to and through all challenges I continue to face. Leaning into the hard stuff gets us to heights we never can achieve otherwise.

Now, I guide and support others as they, too, lean into the difficult spaces and experiences of their lives. There’s such a tremendous feeling of watching someone grow past what they once thought impossible! ~Melissa

About the Host

Melissa Ebken

Podcaster, Pastor, Author, Coach

Melissa was called into ministry, much to her surprise, after becoming a biologist and serving for ten years in the IL Army National Guard as a utility helicopter mechanic, the first woman to do so. She has served in Illiopolis and Niantic since 2001.
Melissa is at home in the difficult spaces of peoples’ lives, willing to listen and to walk with those who struggle and suffer. She is a trained coach and has consulted with churches in conflict. Her current pursuits include founding a Virtual Assistant training academy, forming a ministry co-op to better serve small churches, supporting nurses to thrive in stressful climates through building emotional intelligence, and guiding people who are ready to lean into and overcome difficult challenges and experiences in their lives.
She authored a book Teach Us To Pray: An Ancient Model For a Modern Day, and has a podcast called Pursuing Uncomfortable.