Arts in Ministry camp equips youngsters to share their gifts

Juliet Wooden of Humble (foreground) and fellow campers participate in the evening’s final production number Saturday evening, to the live music of singer/songwriter Bob Bennett. Creative juices were flowing freely in Buffalo last week during Arts In Ministry (AIM) Camp, hosted by Bob and Teresa Nix and their Abiding Place Conference and Retreat Center. Fifty students participated in three days of classes and Saturday evening's production which were held at Celebration Church. The focus of Arts In Ministry is to develop the talent and confidence of young Christians to equip them to use their skills in the visual and performing arts as an expression of worship.

Twenty instructors who shared this vision came from across the nation to lead classes in their specialty. Musicians could study drums, basic guitar and keyboarding chords as well as song writing. Dance classes included many forms of dance for both the beginner and advanced dancer, incorporating sign language, African dance, gymnastics, hip-hop, ballet, and prayer movement. The Arts/Media track included classes in creative writing, drawing, graffiti art, drama, photography and videography.

Dancer instructor Jessica Greenhaw and vocalist Allison Cornell honor their mentors, Lani Fuller and Bob Bennett (on stage) with the song “Pioneers”. All fifty students participated in two large production numbers on Saturday evening, and the individual groups displayed their work and performed praise numbers which they had prepared during the week. Other highlights included original music and poems, the first showing of a Human Video illustrating the song "Praise You in the Storm" by Casting Crowns, which was made in Buffalo. Two instructors were honored during the evening: Singer/ songwriter Bob Bennett of California, a leader in the music of the "Jesus Movement" of the 70's, and Lani Fuller who, in the 80's, opened the first Christian dance studio in the Houston area to introduce dance to the church and travelled the world with His Company International, sharing the gospel through ballet. Allison Cornell sang and Jessica Greenhaw danced to Nancy Honeytree's "Pioneer" in tribute to their mentors.

Emily Stern portrays an angel dancing over homeless Katie Crawford during the production of a Human Video illustrating “Praise You in the Storm”. Videographer Sean Fonseca of Albuquerque (far right) films the scene shot in old downtown Buffalo. Organizer Teresa Nix shared, "This is our fifth year to hold Arts Camp and it was the best yet. It amazes me how young adults and seasoned veterans come together with one purpose to see young people develop excellence in their art for the Kingdom of God." Paraphrasing from Matthew 13:52, Nix concluded, "...those instructed will bring forth out of His treasure things old and new."
Van’Go’photos
Sisters Kara and Katie Crawford of Sugarland demonstrate the effective use of comedy in a skit during the Arts in Ministry camp last week at Celebration Church.
Instructor Allison Cornell (center) teaches Hailley Rawls (L) and Sally Winkle (R) basic chords during an AIM music class.