Meet Elissa—Pastor’s wife, mama, interior designer, and writer!
All Things Beautiful Interiors is an interior design company in St. Pete, Florida, created by lovely pastor’s wife Elissa Martin.
Elissa’s mission is to make each interior space she designs a “haven” where people can work, live, and play, and she’s gifted at it! She also writes inspiring blog posts for believers, serves at Radiant Church, and is a mama of three—showing her passion to serve God and people. Below is our interview.
Tell us about yourself — Your Jesus story, heart, and passions!
Hi! My name is Elissa, and I’d love to share with you a little bit about my background…
When I was a little girl, I fell in love with Jesus. I couldn’t even tell you an exact moment – He just always felt so real to me. My mom tells me she would often hear me praying to Him in my room. By age 4, asking Him into my heart was the most natural, effortless thing to do.
My Dad was a Pastor of a small Baptist church that met in our home in Brooklyn, New York. Our congregation was like family, and I loved them dearly! From home church to private Christian school, Christianity was woven into most of my childhood, and these memories plus Bible truth would shape my foundation and who I’d become as an adult.
In many ways, my childhood was idyllic, but what many didn’t know was that our home life was far from perfect. My parents’ marriage was strained, and my two older brothers fell prey to addiction. This led to a troubled environment at home. When I was 13, my grandma, who I was very close to, passed away unexpectedly, and shortly after, I moved to Florida to live with my older sister for a year before my family followed. Amidst both culture shock and grief, I knew I needed more of Jesus. This is when my daily walk with Him began, and the seeds once planted in my little girl heart started to grow.
Looking back, I’m amazed at how the Lord ordered my steps and strengthened my relationship with Him early on. The following years would hold incredible moments (e.g., graduating high school and college, becoming an RN, purchasing my first home, moving to New York to work in the operating room). In these same years, however, God knew I’d endure repeated heartache from multiple broken relationships. My rooted faith in Jesus Christ was most certainly what got me through some of the darkest days of my single years.
At 26, after many tears, prayers and much growth, God introduced my husband, Kenton, into my life – a confident, humble, Jesus-loving man. Today, I am the wife of a Pastor – a desire of mine since childhood, and in July we celebrated seven years married. We live in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida, and have three children who are our world: Declan (5), Isaiah (3), and Adina (1). God has been so, so good to me, and I owe Him my very life.
My desire is to be the best wife and mother He enables me to be and for people to really know Jesus in a personal way as well as be grounded in His Truth.
What’s your mission as an interior designer?
All Things Beautiful, like many other past open doors, was a God thing. In 2013, two weeks after marriage, Kenton and I moved to Tampa, Florida, to help our friends launch Radiant Church. My husband re-started his mobile detailing business (that he’d owned in Pensacola) and gave me the confidence and nudge to start a business of my own – something I’d be passionate about. When I thought about what that could be, nothing spoke to me more than helping others make their house a home.
I always loved peaceful, beautiful atmospheres and knew I could help create such interiors for others. I completed a summer internship with a reputable local design firm, and All Things Beautiful was born soon after.
Share your experience in ministry—as pastor’s wife, mama, and writer.
Being a pastor’s wife is such a unique role, and I’m thankful to have had the example of my mother who carried it so well. It’s a very “behind-the-scenes” calling that requires dedication, support for your husband, and genuine empathy and care for others. Some days are very fulfilling, and the overflow comes easy. Then there are days when my balancing act isn’t as strong (and all the mamas said amen!), and I feel fragile and depleted. However, in these times, I remember two things: 1. He is glorified in my weakness, and 2. I push through because of Jesus – because He’s worthy.
I have a deep assurance, however, that my main ministry in this season is mothering the three little souls God has entrusted to me. Being a mama is my greatest accomplishment, my greatest sacrifice, my greatest joy – and everything in me longs to do it well.
How can women bless and support you?
The best support is prayer:
For God’s grace as we find a new rhythm after having our third child.
For wisdom and strength to raise our children in a Jesus-loving home.
For our marriage to reflect Christ.
For our church family, Radiant St. Pete, to continue being healthy and people to grow deeply in their walks with God.
To follow more of Elissa’s journey, click the links below:
All Things Beautiful Interiors — atbdesign.com
Her Instagram — instagram.com/atb.interiors
Communing with the Heart blog — elissacami.wordpress.com
Thank you, Elissa, for sharing your heart with us today.
We loved hearing your story and learning how the Lord brought you where you are today. You are an inspiring woman and example of a God-first, family-focused mama who’s allowing Him use your heart for family, incredible creative gifts, and heart for ministry to bless people and be a light in your community!!