Pat Sebree
“I was raised in a Christian home,” Pat Sebree said of her upbringing. Her parents taught Pat and her siblings that the most important thing in life was to be in the center of God’s will. And that’s exactly where Pat has sought to remain. For 45 years, she has faithfully served the Lord and furthered the spread of the Gospel through her work as a designer at World Gospel Mission.
At a young age, Pat displayed artistic ability but thought that the only way to pursue that passion was to become a painter, like Rembrandt or Leonardo da Vinci. In high school, she saw an ad in the newspaper from the Famous Artists School (which offered correspondence courses) asking, “Do you have the talent to be an artist?” And it was then that Pat made a small decision that would have a big impact. She requested the free talent test and mailed in her drawings in response to the ad. “Not surprisingly,” she laughed, “I had talent. I suspect that almost everybody did!” The Famous Artists School sent a salesman to talk to her and her parents, and he explained that everything—from paper towels to fabric to drinking glasses—had to be designed by someone. Suddenly, Pat realized that she didn’t have to be a painter to pursue a career in art.
While studying to become an illustrator at what is now Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, Pat had the opportunity to work for an ad agency. One of their major clients manufactured ball bearings. Pat realized that she wanted to do something with her skills that mattered, something with eternal value, and thought that perhaps she would illustrate Sunday School materials for her denomination’s publishing house someday.
In the spring of 1980, World Gospel Mission was looking for a graphic designer. Leona Taves (the director of Prayer Ministries) had learned from Pat’s mother, who was heavily involved with Prayer Bands, that Pat was graduating from Kendall that spring. So Leona told the vice president in charge of the publishing and printing departments. He contacted Pat and asked her to come to Marion for an interview.
Pat applied for the job and was hired. “I’ll work here for one year,” she promised God, still wishing to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time illustrator.
During this time Pat produced many illustrations for The Call to Prayer, brochures, prayer letters, logos, prayer cards and other materials that she designed. However, after five years, Pat wondered if she was still supposed to be at WGM or if she had just grown comfortable.
A Hallmark representative visited Kendall each year and reviewed the students’ portfolios. They said that her style of illustration was not what they were looking for, but to contact them if it developed over time and gave her their business card. She called the number on the card and was invited to send in her current portfolio for review. As soon as she dropped her portfolio in the mail, Pat felt the Holy Spirit saying that she was to remain at WGM. With that confirmation, she told the Lord that she would stay as long as he wanted. So, she remained at WGM with a sense of peace, knowing she was where she was called to be.
Although her job as a designer remained the same, the vast changes in technology kept the job fresh and challenging. A big change came in 2006 when she moved from print to web design. What began as pen and paper had moved to a screen and cursor. But the work, at its core, was much the same: “A lot of design is problem-solving and communicating a message in a visually compelling way,” Pat said. “I learned to be flexible, to create designs using different mediums, and to take on different responsibilities as needed.”
In keeping with her desire to be in the center of God’s will, Pat turns to Proverbs 3:5–6, her life verse: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV). No matter the changes WGM—and her role—underwent during her 45 years, Pat humbly submitted herself to God’s will, seeking to serve Him in whatever capacity was asked of her next.
As she enters retirement in August 2025, Pat looks forward to spending time with family, visiting historical sites and points of interest across Indiana, and perhaps traveling a little. But greater than this is Pat’s desire to learn from the Lord. Throughout her time at WGM, she has regularly shared with others what God is teaching her, and while her day-to-day rhythm may look different in retirement, her desire is for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as she seeks to follow where He leads next.