Lauren Bear Hamilton
Writer, communicator and ministry leader based in West Tennessee
Poetry
Lauren self-published her debut poetry collection Playing Human in Septebmer 2026. The 44-piece collection is a heartfelt reflection on the ever-becoming rhythms of the human experience—falling apart, coming back together and trusting that, even in the in-between, God is steady, present and near.Playing Human is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and ebook.
Speaking
Lauren speaks about the experiences and questions that shape us—from identity, hope and belonging to grief, spirituality and family.Drawing from her background in communications, ministry and storytelling, she aims to create conversations that are honest, thoughtful and accessible. Whether speaking with young people, congregations or community groups, she hopes to invite others to reflect, ask questions and discover meaning in their own stories.
Youth Ministry
Lauren's approach to youth ministry is rooted in curiosity, connection and the belief that faith is something we continue to discover throughout our lives. She cares deeply about creating inclusive environments where young people can encounter spirituality, learn to be of service to others and grow alongside people who support them.Lauren also creates youth ministry resources for leaders, available in her store on Dandelion Marketplace.
Communications
Lauren spent 13 years in communications, helping organizations tell their stories, connect with their audiences and communicate what matters. Whether shaping a message, developing content or helping clarify a larger story, she believes effective communications begin with understanding people.
More about Lauren
Lauren Bear Hamilton is a writer, communicator and ministry leader from Kingsport, Tennessee. With a background in communications and youth ministry, her work is rooted in storytelling, curiosity and connection.Lauren married her husband Jake in Nashville in 2014. They spent the next decade building their life there and eventually welcomed their daughter before relocating their family to the quiet countryside of West Tennessee. Today, they enjoy raising their daughter with family nearby.Lauren’s work and spirituality have been shaped by her lived experiences. Having navigated seasons of depression both as a teenager and as a new mother, she carries deep empathy for young people, women and families—and the questions, struggles and search for self that can shape those seasons of life.After losing her mother in 2021, Lauren’s spirituality deepened in unexpected ways, leading her to become especially interested in grief, faith and the ways we encounter Spirit in ordinary life.Through her work in communications, writing, speaking and ministry, Lauren explores the stories that shape us and invites others to stay curious and to notice God in everyday moments.She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Certificate in Children’s and Youth Ministry from the Ministry Leadership Center. She serves as Youth Ministry Director at First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Tennessee.