What We Do
“Jesus himself drew near.” (Lk 24:15)
We are two best friends sharing the beautiful journey of life and faith with our families—and with you. Through every podcast episode, blog post, and collaboration, we extend an open invitation to join us as we Draw Near to the Lord and to one another.
Inspired by the words of St. Francis of Assisi, who likened fire to love, our mission is simple yet profound: to ignite hearts with the love of God. Whether we’re hosting insightful podcast guests, sharing wisdom from our incredible blog contributors, mentoring individuals, training leaders, consulting with parishes, or supporting communities in renewal, everything we do is rooted in this singular goal.
Over the years, we’ve been blessed by countless friendships formed through this ministry—friendships that continue to inspire and shape our work. These relationships, along with the diverse voices we feature, create a vibrant community united by a shared desire to grow closer to God.
Together, let’s grow toward sainthood, set hearts ablaze with love, and make a difference in the world. Join us on this journey—listen, read, share, and let’s Draw Near together.
Fred Shellabarger is a devoted husband and proud father of six, living out his faith through the joys and challenges of family life. With a passion for sharing Christ’s love, Fred brings warmth and authenticity to every encounter, whether it’s through his ministry work, his podcast, or heartfelt conversations. When he’s not inspiring others in their faith journey, you can find Fred enjoying board games with his family or tackling the occasional fixer-upper project, always adding a personal touch to everything he does.
Kara Kardell is a joyful wife and mom of four who brings her deep love for the Catholic faith into every aspect of her life. Raised Catholic, Kara’s faith truly came alive later in life, sparking a passion she loves to share with others. Whether she’s enjoying fried-food and wine date nights with her husband or hosting impromptu living room dance parties with her kids, Kara embraces the beauty of family life with faith, fun, and an open heart.
Get to know us.
Listen to these highlighted Draw Near Episodes to get to know Fred and Kara a little better.