Hi, I'm Emily.

If you would have asked me a few years ago what God was calling me to, I don't know that I would have answered, "Start a nonprofit."

But for years, there has been one prayer that continually found its way to my heart:

"Lord, set our community on fire for You."

Not with fleeting excitement or simply another event to attend, but with a genuine desire to know Christ more deeply, to encounter His love, and to live our Catholic faith with joy, conviction, and alongside one another.

As I prayed, I began to notice something. God had already placed so many incredible, faithful people in our community who deeply loved Christ and His Church, but there simply weren't enough opportunities to bring us together. We were often living our faith alongside one another rather than with one another.

There weren't enough spaces to gather outside of Sunday Mass—to build authentic friendships, grow in our faith, celebrate the richness of our Catholic traditions, and encourage one another as we pursued holiness.

I couldn't shake the feeling that God was inviting us to create those opportunities.

Little by little, He began opening doors I never could have opened on my own.

Conversations turned into ideas. Ideas turned into plans. Plans became a board of faithful men and women who shared the same vision. And what once felt like a quiet prayer has become something far bigger than I ever imagined.

God has been so faithful.

Esto Lumina—which means "Be the Light"—was born from that prayer.

Our mission is simple: to create opportunities for people to encounter Christ through meaningful events, authentic community, and faithful Catholic formation.

While we have a deep love for our small-town community, our vision extends far beyond it. We hope to create experiences so meaningful that people from neighboring towns—and one day from across the region—will make the journey to gather with us. Whether you're from just down the road or several hours away, you are welcome here.

Through marriage events, women's gatherings, family celebrations of the liturgical year, nights of prayer, retreats, and opportunities for faith formation, our desire is to create places where people feel known, welcomed, and encouraged. We hope every person who attends leaves with a renewed love for Christ, a stronger connection to His Church, and lasting friendships rooted in faith.

This ministry isn't about one person, and it isn't about building a brand.

It's about pointing people to Christ.

I truly believe our communities are hungry—not just for information, but for belonging. Not just for entertainment, but for purpose. Not just for another event, but for an encounter with the living God.

My prayer is that Esto Lumina becomes a place where people experience all of that—a place where strangers become friends, friends become family, and every gathering points hearts back to Jesus.

Whether you're attending an event, volunteering, praying for us, or supporting this mission financially, thank you for being here. Your presence is already helping answer a prayer that has been on my heart for years.

Together, may we become the light Christ calls us to be.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14–16

With gratitude,

Emily Herbig

Founder & President, Esto Lumina