June 2006

Creativity Summit in Los Angeles

To view letter in PDF format, click here

Send-off receptions in the DFW area:

Christ Chapel Bible Church - June 29 7:00pm to 8:30 pm, Outback Student Ministries Building (across Montgomery from CCBC) Frisco Area - TBD (narrowing down dates) Fort Worth Area - TBD

We are thankful for:

• The Lord’s continued provision. While we still have monthly support to raise, the Lord has steadily provided for us bit by bit.
• The opportunity to travel to LA for both the Creativity Summit and the chance to visit with family and friends.
• For our time with family and friends...it has been precious!
• For Tex-Mex food and every chance we have to enjoy it!

We are praying for:

• Blessed time with family and friends
• Full monthly support, so we can depart for Germany after the European All Staff Conference
• Funding for language learning and a car
• For an apartment to be available by mid-August (either temporary or permanent)
• For moving details to work out smoothly
• For good health

May 20th-23rd - Creativity Summit in Los Angeles

What a privilege it was to attend the Creativity Summit amidst my continued attempts at figuring out what it means to be an artist and designer while working in ministry; how I should balance my desire to be creative with my desire to serve God; and asking myself if there are others just like me, who have these same struggles, questions, and desires. Not only was this time an opportunity to meet and connect with other Crusade staff who are creative, but it was also encouraging and challenging to pursue bettering myself as an artist.

During the conference, we studied Genesis 1 and Exodus 31 with a focus to find artistic meaning. Our time in Genesis gave us an opportunity to look at the familiar Creation story and see ways in which the Lord himself was an artist. It was insightful to look at these passages of scripture through different eyes.

For three of our conference sessions, we were fortunate to have Dave Anderson, Executive Director of Compass Film Academy and also a trainer in the Disney Imagineering process, as our speaker. In addition to being a Christian in the film industry, Dave also used to be on staff with Campus Crusade. He commented that it has been his prayer, that CCC and other Christian organizations would take a step in the creative direction, seeking out ways to impact our society through the arts (also echoed by a couple of other senior staff attending the conference). The sessions he led focused on a discussion about “Why Man Creates?,” learning the Imagineering process and how it can help us in ministry, and the Seven Rules of Creative Engagements.

We also had the opportunity to hear from fellow staff who are currently using their creative skills in ministry, from a discussion book that focuses on famous artwork to an interactive CD for College Freshman, and a 5 week long art installation in New York that challenges art students to think about spirituality.

By the end of our time, I was greatly encouraged to pursue creativity, I had several knew friends with the same goals in mind, and I was challenged to better seek the Lord’s guidance in my creative pursuits. Thank you for your prayers for our time…they were answered abundantly!!