Visual Arts and Missions

(Because I'm not certain of the security situation surrounding the evangelization of the group Richardson names, I will refer to the people group in this story by an arbitrary name. Published by PIONEERS March 2006.)

"The Chocolate people are a people with a strong oral tradition." writes one Pioneers team leader. "They pass on their wealth of wisdom to each succeeding generation through folk stories, epic poems, proverbs and music. The abstract thinking and teaching characteristic of highly literate (e.g. Western) societies is confusing and fails to effectively communicate the truths of Scripture to the Chocolate.

"We are working to create a visual Bible that will present the biblical story to the Chocolate in a relevant and theologically sound way. Using an adaptation of Chocolate traditional art styles, we are creating a set of pictures that will take the 'reader' through the Bible. This set of images will present a clear picture of God as our Creator, Redeemer, Savior and Hope. The use of Chocolate forms communicates that our God is not only the God of the universe 'out there' but also the God of the Chocolate, a God nearby."

"The accompanying narration of the pictures challenges the listener to wholeheartedly join in the Kingdom of God and participate in His redemptive work."

I can't find a reference for this story which was relayed to me, but the general idea is here.

A husband and wife served in central Africa among a certain tribe. The wife worked among the people, gaining their trust with her skills in medicine.

But for the first two years, the husband, an artist, kept to his workshop--a shipping container they had brought to the middle of this dessert. After two years he revealed his work to the people. The work, though not representational, conveyed Christ and the Gospel clearly to these people. They were accustomed to visual communication, and this artist's work served to share Jesus with these people.

I have run across a number of other opportunities which aren't published. In each of three instances, the opportunities consisted of aiding in design and marketing of crafts and wares created by people these organizations are working with.

In each instance the mission work was geared towards unreached peoples. Two of the organizations are smaller, one is larger and well-known. I say this to encourage you as an artist, seeking to use your gifts to spread the Gospel. Keep looking. Opportunities will come up. And God may lead you to create them as well.

Speaking to recruiters is a good way to get a sense of artistic opportunities within an organization's existing projects. And if they don't know of any, and they're worth their salt, they'll double-check.

Some organizations, such as Pioneers, allow a lot of freedom in your service. In some cases you can create the team, and the nature of the project (artistic) in evangelizing the unreached.