Colin’s top piece of advice to any artist who feels God’s call to work in missions is to choose the agency or organization carefully. He says the wrong choice can frustrate the artist’s ability to serve well, while the right one will enable it to flourish. He adds that he has seen far too many artists who are confused and stressed trying to serve the Lord while not being able to work within their primary gifts and calling. He offers the following points:
- Do not expect your mission agency to train you in your artistic discipline. Seek prior training to develop excellence in your craft, and then continue to maintain and build on it during your time with them.
- Do expect your agency to provide quality missions and cross-cultural training, as this is their area of expertise and calling.
- Ensure that your mission organization understands your need for reflective time and appropriate creative space to work consistently on your craft.
- Look for the mission agency to provide Christian discipleship, Godly accountability, and supportive community. You will need all three if you are going to thrive spiritually, emotionally, and artistically.
He adds that artists have a place in the Kingdom, where the Lord has uniquely gifted them to serve. They must steward their creative gifts well, develop them as much as possible, and offer them back to the Lord for His glory. As Colin has reminded us before, God is opening the doors of nations to His truth and beauty through the arts and the imagination.
We are also thrilled to announce that you can now purchase a copy of Toymaker and Son by clicking on the image below! Hurry over to get your own copy of this beautiful story!
