In Luke 10:5-7, Jesus talks of a “Man of Peace” to be found each time His disciples entered a new town to share the Gospel. In 2007 on a trip to Albania during our “war room” worship and prayer, someone mentioned this verse, and we began praying to find such a man. My friend, Pat, said she had been in a park the day before, and an Albanian believer commented that an old man sitting on the wall was listening to a Bible study on his radio.
Inspiro Arts Alliance: Definitions and Reflections
Written by Hollen HostetlerEarlier this year, the newly combined OM Arts and Heart Sounds International (HSI) team announced that we were now “Inspiro Arts Alliance.” This change has been reflected on our website, in our literature, and anywhere and everywhere the names OM Arts or HSI once existed. However, you might have one simple question: What on earth does “Inspiro” mean? It is an excellent question, and one for which we thought it was high time we provided a broader answer.
Saying Farewell: An Exit Interview with the Associate Director of Inspiro
Written by Jason WilliamsThis month, Inspiro is saying a bittersweet goodbye to a long-time staff member, Jason Williams (name changed for security reasons). Jason and his family are following the Lord into an exciting new chapter of their ministry, and we cannot wait to see how He will use them there. However, we will miss them greatly as their involvement with us will be much more limited. We had a chance to catch up with Jason and hear some of his reflections on his time with Inspiro, which he shares in the interview below. Thank you, Jason and family, for your years of faithful service with Inspiro for the gospel - you have blessed us deeply, and we will miss you immensely. May God bless you and keep you as you continue serving Him in this new adventure!
Restoring the Dance: A Transition Interview with Linda Wells
Written by Hollen HostetlerLinda Wells has been a long-time member of the Inspiro staff. A professionally trained dancer, she came to know the Lord and was later called to serve Him through the dance. Over the years, she has taken countless dancers on outreach trips, helping them to see their gift as given by God and meant to honor Him. She has served as a deep encouragement to many through her vivacious and unashamed faith and determination to follow the Lord wherever He leads, regardless of how crazy it might seem. This month, Linda is transitioning to be an Ally of Inspiro Arts so she can devote more time to the ministry the Lord has given her at Compass Dance Academy in Tyrone.
We are absolutely thrilled by the recent release of our 20th Anniversary edition of VIVID Magazine. This edition looks back at the twenty years of history since the founding of Heart Sounds International (HSI) and OM Arts (now collectively known as Inspiro Arts Alliance) in celebration of all the Lord has done through arts ministry. It also looks forward in anticipation of all the Lord has in store for Inspiro Arts Alliance. To receive your copy of VIVID, please visit our giving page.
Many times, going on an outreach pushes people out of their comfort zones and encourages them to try something new. Janice Taylor, an artist from the UK, shares how going on short-term trips made a profound difference in her life and future ministry.
I had only been painting for about a year when I went on an art outreach in Belgium in 2015. As part of the outreach, we were expected to paint based on Scripture. The verses I was given as inspiration was John 19:25-27 in which Jesus entrusts His mother, Mary, to the disciple John when He is dying on the cross.
Occasionally, when we tell others we do arts ministry, we get raised eyebrows. Often, the questions boil down to, “Why art?” One of our favorite answers to that within Inspiro is: “Because the Gospel is beautiful.”
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
For many around the world, this is the week of the Thanksgiving holiday, during which there is an increased focus on thankfulness. As I considered what I wanted to say in this article, I found myself hitting a bit of a wall. “Yes, Lord,” I thought, “But what about saying something about how hard things are this year? Is there a way I could creatively talk about thanksgiving that might make people feel better? What about those of us who just aren’t feeling that thankful this year?” I started considering Scripture passages about thankfulness, and I was struck by this commonly known (but no less beautiful) verse in 1 Thessalonians. And then a bit of tough love hit me. The verse does not say, “In everything give thanks….but, when there has been almost a year of COVID, division, anxiety, depression, and other things, then you don’t have to be as thankful. Also, if you don’t feel thankful, you can skip it altogether.” No, it simply says “in everything give thanks” (emphasis mine). It even goes on to say that this is God’s will for us! However you slice it, there is no easy way of getting around this verse – we are meant to give thanks to the Lord regardless of what our circumstances may be.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
- “O Holy Night,” Adolphe Adam
This refrain from the popular Christmas carol “O Holy Night” has been on my heart recently. As I have considered Advent, the season of preparing one’s heart for Christmas, in light of this year’s events, it seems the world needs this season more then ever. With the ever-present reality of COVID-19, increasing political tensions, extended periods of isolation, a rise in focus on racial reconciliation, and rescheduled and cancelled plans, 2020 has seemed bleak, indeed. And yet, here in the very thick of the anxiety and heartache is the season of Advent, reminding us of the beautiful reality of the birth of Christ.
More...
I rekindled my passion for painting in 2016 when I switched from working full-time to part-time. A friend connected me with her art teacher, and, for practical reasons, I learned acrylic painting. Inspiration for my first painting was from the cover of a Christian book, sitting on the side-table next to my bed. It caught my attention, and “Psalm 23” became my first attempt. Learning by imitating is a good start for beginners. I began using Google to find images I could imitate. Very soon, painting Bible ideas became my focus. Eventually, I was thrilled to participate in the Singapore Bible Society’s Annual Art Competition for two years in a row, painting pieces on Hope and Promises in the Bible and People in Need in the Bible.
Peace, Praise, and Pleasing God: Advent Week Two
Written by Chip KirkAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”
- Luke 2:13-14
It was not a silent night.
Joy, a profound reality bathed in suffering, rooted in touchable hope
“Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!” We sing.
“He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
The innocent newborn baby’s cry which gave tremendous joy to His parents mourns for the betrayal, the humiliation, the crucifixion, and Jesus’s own burial merely three decades later.
I wonder, if Mary and Joseph had known this beforehand, would that cry of baby Jesus bring joy?
But the angel said, “[…] I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
In our modern culture love is all around – so it seems. Considering songs hitting the charts, soap operas, movies, and pink heart-shaped posts on social media, you cannot help thinking that love is the currency of society. But aren’t we all experiencing something different? The pandemic stifles the hope of men and women, deprives them of their zest for life, increases isolation and loneliness... Aren’t these the opposites of love? Sometimes, people talk a lot about things they wish they had: more money, more days off, more good friends. More love, too?
