Arts & Entertainment Mountain
Music, movies, television, and social media wield enormous influence on our youth, as do the dark forces of sex, drugs, alcohol, and immorality that permeate these fields, spreading dangerous messages to our children. The body of Christ is in desperate need of righteous people who take their talents into these fields and are unafraid of using their platform to further His greater purposes. 1 The mountain of Arts & Entertainment also encompasses the visual arts such as drawing, painting, and sculpture, and other forms of self-expression such as music, dance, poetry, writing, and theatre, all which can serve to glorify God. Many artists in the United States are using their God-given creative talents to spread the Gospel, to worship God, to disciple other believers, and to further His kingdom. “Entertainment” such as drag queen story hours and LGBTQ+ themed books for children have been too prevalent in our culture. Christians must take a firm stand against these ungodly performances and books. See a sampling below of some of the Christian artists as well as programs of study in South Carolina and other states, sharing the Good News of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, making an impact for the Kingdom of God!
Do you have a creative ability which can influence our culture?
Sean Feucht Ministries Musician and travelling evangelist, missionary, author, and speaker, sparking revival across the nation. He has produced two documentary films, “Superspreader, the Rise of LET US WORSHIP” and “Heart and Hands.”
Butch Hartman is an animator, artist, voice actor, songwriter, director, and executive producer, coach and entrepreneur. His most recent creation, the Garden Cartoon, “teaches kids the Gospel of Jesus in a way they can not only understand but enjoy!”
Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Gospel Award winning musical artist and pastor. One of his best known works is the flash mob performance of “Every Praise.” Bishop Walker is pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York.
Ballet Magnificat! is a professional dance touring company that performs and witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ through dance. Based in Jackson, Mississippi, the company tours in the United States and worldwide and also operates a trainee program and school.
Jewelry artist Poppy Vincent designs beautiful pieces of Christian-themed rings and other pieces of jewelry utilizing techniques of lost wax casting, and copper and cloisonne enameling. She also designs “story rings” incorporating customers’ memorable life events and symbols into her works.
Sam Ryan is a New York City-based painter of both Christian and patriotic subject matter. His portraits of Jesus and other Biblical figures are extraordinary. Both prints and original paintings are available to purchase online. This artist is on Facebook and Instagram as Sam Ryan Studios.
God’s creative musical gifts are evident in the talented worship leaders at Faith Life Church of Liberty, South Carolina with Pastor Michael Stephens playing keyboard, harmonizing with vocalist Tiffany Mullinax. Their beautiful songs magnify God and give him praise.
Michael Jr. is a comedic thought leader and actor who brings laughter and encouragement using comedy and dynamic story-telling. The comedian states, “I enjoy bringing people an opportunity to laugh.” In addition to his comedy specials and live appearances, Michael Jr. also teams up with his wife on “It’s Funny How Marriage Works” by producing videos and hosting tours and events.
Point of Grace is a contemporary Christian female vocal group. The trio was honored with an induction into The South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame in April of 2024. One of the trio, Leigh Cappillino, is a native of Belton, SC, stating that she was deeply influenced by her upbringing and education in the Palmetto State.
Stephen Bransford is the executive producer of Television and Media Productions for Andrew Wommack Ministries. Stephen is an award winning author, speaker, ghost writer, and consultant who has helped raise millions of ministry dollars through broadcast television, transformation stories, fund raising letters, and newsletters. As an instructor at Charis Bible College, he is known for encouraging students with his saying, “You have a story, and it’s better than you think.”
Tim Hawkins is a Christian comedian who tours the United States, giving live performances at churches and other venues. Tim also shares his musical talents during his hilarious comedy routines and has composed his own songs. He has produced a series of comedy specials and has podcasts available on most platforms.
Veggie Tales – Comical Biblical cartoon television series, videos, and movies for children, created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki under Big Idea Entertainment. The series featured Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber.
Praise and worship with flags and dancing is a part of the Sunday worship service at Faith Life Church in Liberty, South Carolina. Loretta Groves ministers with flags and dancing, honoring and glorifying our Lord. Psalm 20:5 says “May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.”
Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites are a Southern Gospel group that have been giving God praise in a message through song for 54 years! Doc McKenzie, a South Carolina native, together with the three Hi-Lites, minister the word of God in harmony through song.
Mark Patrick Studio Mark Patrick is a sculptor living in Greenville, South Carolina, producing magnificent sculptures of sacred art, such as angels and baptismal scenes, as well as sculptures of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and an array of other forms. One of his majestic angel sculptures is installed on the grounds of Andrew Wommack Ministries in Woodland Park, CO and others at New Life Church and the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs, CO.
WP Films (formerly Wanderlust Films) is a reality-base documentary film production company founded by Darren Wilson. His production company focuses on asking the big questions about God and faith that most Christians are too afraid to ask. His films include Finger of God, Furious Love, and Father of Lights.
TELEVISION
There are numerous alternatives to the programming on mainstream television (ABC, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, and PBS). See below for just a few of the many choices for clean entertainment appropriate for viewing and listening.
PureFlix is a streaming service that provides quality entertainment that celebrates faith, family, and country.
Angel Studios is a Christian streaming service that focuses on providing family-friendly entertainment that amplifies positive values. Their programs include “Dry Bar Comedy,” “His Only Son,” “Wingfeather Saga” and “Tuttle Twins” and the film “Sound of Freedom.”
VidAngel enables you to filter out the stuff you don’t want to see or hear in your streaming movies & TV shows, like profanity, nudity, violence & more. Skip or mute offensive content in movies and TV shows. Movie Guide is the family guide to movies and entertainment.
Learning Opportunities for Creative Christians
Charis Bible College, located in Woodland Park, CO, trains disciples in the uncompromising truth of God’s Word, equipping them to fulfill their unique purpose through a powerful relationship with Jesus. These Year 3 Programs offered at Charis provide training for those with creative abilities in music, drama and film.
South Carolina School of the Arts -“Where Art & Faith Collide” is located on the campus of Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. A.U. is an academic community affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and offers majors in these arts-related areas (among many other majors): graphic design; art education; 3-D Art; painting and drawing; photography; music-commercial, vocal performance, chorale, instrumental; worship leadership; theatre; and dance.
Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina. A private Christian university affiliated with the Wesleyan Church, S.W.U.’s mission is to transform lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. The Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center is one of the prominent buildings on campus. Courses of study in fine arts, music, chorale, and theatre are offered.
Bob Jones University, an accredited Christian Liberal Arts University in Greenville, South Carolina, offers arts and entertainment programs of study in the following areas: Studio Art; Photography; Theatre; Visual Arts; Voice Performance; Music: Interior Architecture and Design; Graphic and Digital Design; and Film and Digital Story-telling.
The Academy of Arts located in Taylors, South Carolina is a multi-faceted organization which includes the Logos Theatre, a Christian Conservatory, two traveling ministries to 13 states, a professional film company, Venture Films, and supplying classes and training for all ages to “Make the Bible Come Alive in Minds and Hearts Through the Power of Story-telling.”
The Ark Encounter, a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the specifications in the Bible, is located in Williamstown, KY, along with its’ sister attraction, The Creation Museum. While the Ark is a modern engineering marvel, the animatronic figures and displays at both attractions truly display the creative gifts God bestowed on man.
1 Used with permission of The Truth and Liberty Coalition