Jenni Lien
Founder, The Yay Project
Welcome to The Yay Project! This platform exists so we can encourage each other to celebrate our God-given design and pursue our kingdom calling.
Below are a few things about me—and let me know your answers too! Would love to get to know you and your testimony.
3 Things About Me
My Greatest Passion
Encouraging women to surrender to God completely and pursue his plans—learning to do this changed my life! How? Through experiencing God's healing from fear of rejection.
What God Is Teaching Me This Season
That walking in faith is exhilarating. When we surrender, God will call us to obey in new ways and that can be uncomfortable but what a ride. There is no greater joy than becoming more like Christ.
Fun Fact
I've lived in six different cities across North America, Europe, and Asia—and absolutely love seeing the world from different peoples' points of view. God writes beautiful stories.
Bonus fun fact: I love extremes.
The Yay Project Journey
2019
2022
After going from a mountaintop to a valley season in just two weeks, my heart felt completely shattered. In the pain, I realized I had a choice to make. Did I really believe God is God—and that he could heal me? And if I did, why wasn’t I living fully for him?! I chose to go all in with God for the first time in my life and it changed everything. One of the first things I sensed him say was to start The Yay Project (born August 2019).
Three years later, I still have unbelievable joy working on The Yay Project and connecting with women around the world who are passionate about loving the Lord 100%. After 10 years in corporate roles, I started feeling a nudge and prayed, “God, I think I’d love to go into ministry one day—not necessarily as a pastor or in a church, but I’m open. Use me however you want.” During COVID, I felt led to leave my expat career in Asia and move back to my hometown in Canada to pursue a Master’s in... Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology. Plot twist!
2025
My Master’s research was focused on the emotional health needs of Millennial and Gen Z women in the church, and allowed me to interview hundreds of pastors and church leaders. During that time, God began showing me how i’d never really noticed his will for serving people experiencing poverty—my last season was heavily in the luxury lifestyle space. After graduation, I worked on a business idea for an emotional health platform, then joined The Salvation Army, and now work at Yonge Street Mission, a Toronto-based Christian non-profit focused on breaking the cycle of long-term poverty in youth, adults, and families. Part of my portfolio is looking after our relationship with churches and corporate partners.
As God continues to grow my understanding of his heart, he’s also shifting the focus of The Yay Project. This season, we’re leaning into what Jesus said matters most: loving God and loving our neighbours, especially the most vulnerable. We are made for this season and God has unique plans for us! Let's seek him and do his will.
S.
I'm amazed with your art, it's wonderful! And the messages are really heartwarming and I just feel the presence and love of Jesus with your posts. Lately, I've forgotten to talk to Him ... your posts helped me realize things and made me come back to Him, talk to Him, pray for the world, pray for everything. Just wanna say thank you.
B.
I have started following The Yay Project recently and I am so happy I found your page. Every morning I wake up to check my Instagram, and every time I see your posts, I feel like God is talking to me, reminding me that He is there and He is faithful. I am suffering from depression and anxiety but I just want you to know that every time I see your posts, it reminds me that I am not alone that God is with me.
M.
Just wanted to let you know you have been such an inspiration to me. I saw in one of your stories that you mentioned one of the things you did before you draw is to ask the Holy Spirit for the designs. Since then I tried to do it with our Instagram and amazing & clearer things were revealed. So thank you so much for sharing & love your designs so muchh!