Art as Ministry | One Light Studio

Before claiming the title of “Artist”, I spent my days serving in ministry. I was blessed to work with children, youth, and families in so many ways.

From camps and large-group events, leading children’s messages during worship, international mission work, to intimate small-group leadership, I used my degree in education and passion for Jesus to connect others to the love of God.

As I reflect on my time in ministry, my heart pours gratitude for the many ways that I was surrounded by various forms of art (many times without knowing). Now, as I stand on the “Artist” end of things, I’ve witnessed (and experienced) a multitude of ways in which art truly is ministry.

As humans, we’re given the opportunity to use our gifts to shine a light unto others. I’ve found that many people use their gifts, but don’t always recognize how their gifts can change lives.

Art is a vessel for connecting with others; it brings opportunity to dive deeper into our spiritual journey, and aids in revealing what’s on our hearts.

A few ways that I’ve witnessed Art as an active form of ministry…

Art as a means of worship and spiritual expression: Creating art can be an act of worship, a way to connect with God and express faith. It can be a meditative practice, leading to contemplation, prayer, and deeper spiritual reflection. When we hone in on purposeful creativity, we’re nurturing our faith by being present, as God is present within us.

Art as a written form of devotion and reflection: Putting words onto paper can be helpful in sharing our thoughts, feelings, and even prayers. Sometimes, we don’t have the ability to speak in a way that is comfortable, so journaling or free-form writing offers us the opportunity to release, to let go of heavy emotions, and to reflect on our thoughts, visually, ultimately acting as a vessel of prayer and communication with God.

Communication and Connection: Art can be a powerful tool for communication, especially when words are difficult to express. Sharing in the act of creating art can offer connections, fostering understanding and empathy within a community.

Art as a foundation for spiritual growth: Our faith journey is ever-changing. For many of us, we’re given our faith foundation as children, and as we grow we develop our own beliefs and “versions” of what faith looks like for us. Art has the ability to reach us–to become a vessel that carries us closer to the Holy Spirit

Healing and emotional expression: Creative activities like painting with watercolors, can be therapeutic; emotionally, physically, and spiritually, providing a healthy outlet for processing emotions, reducing stress, and promoting well-being.

No matter which art form you decide to use, the most important piece in all of it is that you find what works best for you as you build your relationship in faith.

For me, I’ve found painting with watercolors, and writing with depth and contemplative verbiage, to be my most intimate and prayerful connection of my faith. My ability to create and write, are gifts from God, and using them in a way that shines a light on the love of Jesus, pours the foundation of my mission with One Light Studio.

If you or your church/organization are looking for ways to connect in faith through art, I encourage you to reach out. Together, we can build new ways forward and dive deeper into the light that shines in each of us.