What does it mean to be marked by God? What if the love of God was more than a doctrine—what if it was a reality so tangible, so transformative, that it reshaped everything you thought you knew about faith? For Catherine Toon, that journey began not in a church, but in unexpected encounters with Jesus as a young girl, one who grew up in a very secular environment in the midst of an anti-Christian sentiment.
A Childhood of Encounters
From an early age, there was a story of persuasion happening in Catherine, she knew she was loved. Hindsight is always telling as she recalls today that she met Jesus before she ever knew His name, before she ever heard the Gospel. “All I knew is that He loved me and I loved Him.” Love encounters with Him began to happen and it was those experiential moments, she reflects, that would keep her remain anchored through a difficult childhood, one marked by abuse and an environment very much in opposition to faith.
But Catherine remembers a pivotal time when she traveled across Europe with her family, and seeing crucifixes on bed headboards, her heart immediately provoked as she recognized this figure pointing her to the Man, Jesus she was experiencing as a child. “This was the man that I met when I was so young!!!” she realized. It was Jesus Christ, who she encountered. He was revealing Himself back then and revealing Himself again now. She was learning just how much He had marked her by love. These encounters had impacted her profoundly and despite growing up in an environment that worshipped intellect and rejected Christianity, Catherine was understanding this God was very real and she became consumed by His overwhelming grace.
The Detour into Religion and Legalism
Like many, Catherine’s passion for Christ led her straight into a “churchy” environment and the snag of religious duty and performance. She found herself immersed in Word of Faith and charismatic streams, believing like so many, that it was imperative to “get things right” for God to keep loving her. This involved lots of concern about working hard enough—tithing, confessing scriptures, “bridging the gap” between her and God—to gain approval and experience more of Him. “I would spend 2 hours a day confessing scriptures… until ‘the Cloud left’ and I stayed. Then it was like chewing gravel.”
In line with Catherine’s high achieving upbringing and values, Catherine became an MD practicing internal medicine for many years. But grace changes you. It has a way of waking you up to all the striving and weariness of over-achieving and Catherine soon reached her own breaking point. The weight of self-effort was simply unsustainable. God was not calling her to work for Him religiously—He was calling her to know Him intimately and to rest in Him. To rest in the truth of her beloved-ness and true identity—that God knew her since before her life began and He marked her by love.
The Turning Point: Radical Grace Revealed
In the midst of her career and religious striving, Catherine’s faith in Christ continued to grow, but she knew there had to be more. God was simply too good, and His grace began to radically shift her perspective—freeing her from the weary bondage of works, opening her eyes to a greater gospel reality. The Holy Spirit led her on a deeper transformative journey, guiding her to influential teachers within the Trinitarian and Grace movements.
She encountered well-known theologians such as Paul Young, author of The Shack; Bradley Jersak, author of Her Gates Will Never Be Shut; Baxter Kruger of Perichoresis.org; Francois Du Toit, author of The Mirror Bible; and Brian Zahnd, author of Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News, among others.
She also connected with Jamie Englehart, author of Myths & Mistranslations: Unpacking 70 Misconceptions About God and the Bible, and later attended Cana New Wine Seminary with John Crowder. It was during this time that Catherine’s understanding of the scope of God’s nature became clearer, and she encountered an even deeper revelation of His boundless grace. God was unveiling His true nature to her in a profound way, bringing greater freedom and transformation to her journey.
Through every relationship and teaching, God’s radical love was being confirmed. She realized His grace wasn’t just an idea—it was the very foundation of everything in life. It was radical in nature —“It is life and joy and freedom!” she exclaims. Gaining new understanding of the Christ imprint on her life that had impacted her so deeply early on. All her striving to please God simply began to fade. Joy and peace were the overflowing fruit.
Marked by Love: A Mission to Transform Lives
It was this season of encounter and out of this revelation, Catherine’s ministry was born. She felt a strong nudge to leave her practice as an MD, to raise her children and launch what is now known today as Imprint, LLC, and Catherine Toon Ministries. Both decisions driven by her own journey of awakening and a God-gifted desire to help others be restored to wholeness, reveal identity, and release destiny through the power of God’s love. Her first book, suitably titled Marked by Love, became the foundation of her life message. Marked by Love, central to Catherine’s life message and ministry wasn’t just a book; it was a love movement fueled by grace. One that grew so much that eventually led to an online course, a workbook, and a leader’s guide, touching lives around the world.
Her ministry has since expanded to include additional books such as Rare and Beautiful Treasures, How to Hear God: An Experiential Journey, and God, Male and Female? Her podcast, Perspectives with Catherine Toon, {Also available HERE on Gantv.com} is a breath of fresh air for those seeking freedom from toxic religion.
A Life of Miracles and Encounters
Catherine doesn’t just talk about grace—she lives it. Miraculous encounters have been a hallmark of her faith journey. She recalls one striking moment happened when she prayed for a man in Lebanon who had suffered an aortic dissection—an immediate death sentence. As she prayed, she found herself suddenly in the Spirit, by his hospital bed, feeling the sweat on his forehead. She boldly commanded life into his body.
The next report? He was awake, fully conscious, walking around, and in his right mind. Catherine remembers this, “He did not know Jesus, but Jesus knew Him.” And this passion is what drives her lifestyle of encounter. This is the life we were made for—one miracle after another, flowing from intimacy with God.
A Call to Rest and Transformation
For those who are weary of striving, Catherine’s message is clear: Stop trying so hard. Enter into the rest of the finished work of Christ. As Hebrews 4:9-11 reminds us, there remains a rest for the people of God. It’s time to embrace it.
If you’ve ever felt burdened by religion, if you’ve ever questioned whether God is really as good as He says He is—this message is for you. Through her writing, her podcast, and her speaking, Catherine invites you into a journey of radical grace, love, and transformation. Trust God and get ready to experience healing, wholeness, and freedom.
Get ready to realize just how adored you are by Love Himself. The journey starts now.
To learn more about Catherine or connect to her, Click HERE.
Marked by Love is available here on Amazon
