"Kingdom Hearts for Kingdom Arts" was the theme for the eighteenth annual Creative Ministries Festival held at North Trenholm Baptist Church April 17 and 18. The event was presented by the South Carolina Baptist Convention Worship and Music Office, Mark Powers director, under the leadership of Stephanie Caldwell, creative ministries consultant. Mark Powers said the goal of the festival was to “energize churches to fulfill their true calling in worship and evangelism.”

Over 350 attended representing 57 groups and churches from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Kim Hollaway, creative arts director from Mountain View Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, attended in order “to get recharged about interpretive movement and take back ideas” to her group there.

The event was also attended by groups other than churches. The summer staff from Pinehill Baptist Retreat Center in Bennettsville attended. Their director, Donald Foreman, said “The goal is not to be diverse in entertaining but to present the gospel. We not only present these ministries at camp, but also to local churches that invite us to come and share the programs.” Lakeshia Martin from Life Giving Outreach Ministries in Columbia came to learn about puppetry. “I want to learn how to incorporate it into my teachings at the church so that I may capture and keep the children’s attention.”

Faculty members from around the southeast led in worship times and also taught classes in the following seven areas: worship leading, children’s ministry, drama in worship, clowning and illusion, interpretive movement and sign art, puppetry, and a technical track focusing on sound and lighting. Sarah Roberts, organist and interim music minister at West Hartsville Church, was a first time attendee and said “I was reminded that creative arts are barrier breakers.”

Greg Allgood, campus minister at Anderson University, was part of the faculty and in one of his workshops provided 34 tips for creating powerful worship experiences and vibrant worship teams. Music in worship was provided by Elevate from Anderson. The Anderson University Traveling Drama Team presented the play “Sala’s Story” by Arlene Hutton on Saturday afternoon.

Attendees were also given many chances to perform. Some of the other groups represented at the conference included 18 members of the Dance Place in Camden led by Stephanie Caldwell, and seven children from KIDZTATION 911 from Woodruff led by Sheryl Childers.

Those who attended were motivated, equipped, and challenged to return to their homes to share the gospel in new and creative ways. As Linda Templeton, a youth leader from Bethany Baptist in Orangeburg said, “This weekend has given us fun and reachable opportunities to live out I Timothy 4:13 “to encourage believers and teach them.” Results of the conference will be seen in churches around the southeast and also in eternity.