Karen Suarez never dreamed her face-painting skills would come in handy anywhere other than her church’s children’s ministry. God threw her for a tizzy, she says, when He opened doors for her to expand her church work into a party-planning business seven years ago.

Since then, Karen and her husband, Gabriel, have made a living by creating spa parties, cowboy hoedowns and Hawaiian luaus. “I’m having the time of my life,” Karen says. “I have the pleasure of participating in special days, of meeting many people and seeing God’s wonders in the little things.”

What’s In a Name?
A desire to honor God in every aspect of their business motivated Karen and Gabriel to name it Agaperabba Entertainment. The Greek word agape (unconditional love) and Aramaic word abba (father) form the statement “Love Our Father.” (Both words appear in the New Testament.) When clients ask about it, she and Gabriel have an opportunity to talk to them about God. “These little conversations are the things that confirm the work we’re doing is for Him, not for us,” Karen says.

Party Time
Despite all the fun and faith-sharing opportunities it offers, party planning is hard work. “That I work more than a 40-hour week is an understatement,” Karen says.

Karen once had to create a princess tea party appropriate for girls and boys—and find a horse-drawn carriage. For this particular event (a birthday party for a 6-year-old girl), Karen ordered princess dresses for the girls, and swords and shields for the boys.

The day of the party, Karen and Gabriel arrived two hours early to set the tables. The arrival of the 22 guests ushered in three hours of face painting, overseeing carriage rides, and serving lemonade and cake. After the goody bags were distributed, it was time for Karen and Gabriel to clean up—and then prepare for the next party.

Lord of the Little Things
Looking back, Karen can see God in the details that led to her party-planning career. He was preparing her for it in high school when she was arranging events for student government. He was honing her organizational skills as an administrative assistant. And through her work in her church’s children’s ministry, He was opening doors for her to serve Him as she does today.

“God is so funny,” she says. “You never know how He’ll use the little things you learn to do.”

Fast Facts
How many digits in a paycheck?
The median salary for an event planner is about $50,000, according to salary.com. Planners with years of experience, however, can earn up to $250,000 per year.

“Hey, I think I could do this!”
Do you have . . .
• a love for working with people?
• creativity?
• an eye for detail?
• good organizational skills?
• the ability to stick to a budget?

Making It Happen
• Seek school or church activities that will give you event-planning experience, or ask local party planners or children’s entertainers if they need extra help.
• Choose a college major such as business or public relations, or pursue an event-planning certificate. Although universities don’t offer four-year degrees in event planning, some do offer this certification.

Wise Words
“Our job as Christians is to allow God to work through us—not the other way around. Our attitude should be that of love. Agape love, unconditional love. It’s a tough road, and only with Christ can we travel it.” —Karen Suarez