Prayer for the Arts May 10th Touch Community Theatre

this came today from...

 lovesingapore

A moving song, an inspiring film, a captivating dance. 
The Arts have an amazing capacity to influence our thinking, touch our hearts, and lift our spirits. But where you find a great potential for good, you will also find the same great capacity for evil. God knows. He is in the picture and He longs to create masterpieces through us that will reflect His character and fulfill His mission! Do you see what He sees? Is He already stirring your heart? 
Don’t miss lovesingapore’s inaugural prayer encounter for the Arts and Entertainment Gate. 

Especially if you are someone in Arts and Entertainment! Or perhaps you are just someone with an interest in or a burden for this Gate. Please come. We need you there. Pastor Lawrence Khong will be leading us. Our dream is to build a critical mass of visionaries and warriors to effect Kingdom transformation within the Arts and Entertainment Gate of Singapore. Bring your friends.
• Monday 10 May 2010  • 7.30 pm • TOUCH Community Theatre Auditorium (3615 Jalan Bukit Merah) 
PS: Please help us spread the word. Forward this email to church members and Christian friends in your sphere of influence. Post on your web. Announce in this week's church bulletin. Thank You so much. All for the Kingdom!

Broadcast Media Ministry: HCJB Global Voice - Asia Pacific Office

Five random believers in Singapore met this morning at the offices of HCJB - a broadcast media ministry which was founded in 1931 in Quito, Ecuador. HCJB has expanded and morphed over the years as technology has grown, and we had a chance to learn a bit about some big things which are going out from their little office in Bishan off Jalan Pemimpin.  It was an inspiring morning. Not just in hearing from the staff at HCJB, but also meeting one another. 


Besides hearing about the unique ministry of the Asia Pacific office, their work and dreams of what can be done in the various countries of the region, we also saw two compelling promotional videos. One aimed at potential investors in the work and the other video interviewed an Indonesian partner ministry who's effectiveness has grown through the support of HCJB helping them set up local FM radio stations around Indonesia. 


Thank you to Ty Stakes (Radio Planter and all around great guy), Janice Reid (Radio Trainer),
plus Steve Balzer (Regional IT Support) and Lisa Balzer (working on a newly launched project of MMS subscriptions to English Lessons via Cell phones in Thailand as platform for link to website with Gospel and arranging user group meetings)


Here's what these guests had to say:


RITA
(Chinese national with a background in broadcasting before she became a Christian in China, seeking part-time work as a trailing spouse in Singapore the next 2 years)


It's amazing to learn that there are already so many forms of ministry in the media field, and there are almost unlimited possibilities for using broadcasting in ministry.

SARAH

(Student from NTU, majoring in Communications)

It was really an eye opener for me today to talk to people from HCJB. Just to see the various ways the Gospel can reach the Muslim world in Asia through non-direct pre-evangelistic ways. I think a lot of time when we thing of missions many of us thing about preaching the gospel directly but not seeing the way different locals can reach out their own communities in their own local contexts. It really touched my heart and I pray God will continue to work in this way through HCJB.

RAY

(Professional Trainer with education in Broadcast Media)

No matter how big or how small, the Lord will always find a way for His work to be completed. We met with an amazing group of individuals whose numbers were just a handful, but their small group has managed to plant several radio stations in SE Asia. Their plans are to plant up to 200 FM radio stations in Indonesia. So far, they are approaching 50! Praise God! What is seemingly small, God can make into a big thing. From the mustard seed to the largest plant in the garden.

ADEL
(Currently researching and working on new media based discipleship training)


This is an exciting information session and I am much impacted by HCJB's ministry in the Asia Pacific region. What I noticed in the presentation that I find suitable for what I do now is the way radio is an effective communication tool for church planting and outreach to communities in local areas. 

Broadcast Media Ministry & Internet Evangelism

Friends,

Last week, talking with an intern who is interested in broadcasting/media ministry, I thought: Hey! I know a few folks who do that sort of thing! I'll bet a lot of the Drama Ministry or A4J friends I've made along the way would be fascinated to learn about such work!

So, in my spontaneous "oK!-let's-make-it-a-party-style," 

I started setting up appointments to visit a some local broadcast media organizations/studios.

With no time to waste! 

We're meeting up next Monday and Wednesday (and perhaps Saturday too!).

Join me!

I believe it will be a good opportunity to reconnect, meet some others who are in the arts and are believers, 

learn about such ministries, pray for, be inspired, and perhaps even consider such a ministry for yourself in the future. Either partnering with an existing group, or pioneering your own.

Follow this link

http://www.doodle.com/us3aaurzdvyvvzhu 

and check when you'll be there! Come for one, or all of the appointments. However it fits your schedule. 

If you have to change your reply at the  last minute, text me!

K!Mberly Creasman

kimberly@crms.org.sg

CRMS

Empowering Leaders

crms.org.sg

+65 98396965

So far we've got these lined up:

Monday 26 - 10AM 

Ty Stakes

HCJB (Asia Pacific)

http://ap.hcjbglobal.org/

59 Jalan Pemimpin (Bishan)

#02-06 L&Y Building 577218

tea afterward at the kopitiam nearby on Jalan Pemimpin

Wednesday 28 1PM-2PM 

Hui Fang

CVC Network 

http://www.espira.tv/

60 Kaki Bukit Place
Eunos Techpark
#01-13

2:30-3:30 Faith Toh

Studio Elpizo / Be107 FM 

http://studioelpizo.com

798 Thomson Road, Singapore 298186

Divine Arrangements! This week's events, and Saturday April 24th

After getting the inspiration for touring studios/regional offices only last week, then meeting up with this intern who brought it up on Friday, then today while sending out this little invite about the tour, I learned about this event below (and as I'm writing this, Cheh at Focus on the family sent me the info too!: 

IED = Internet Evangelism Day

http://ied.sg/

Focus Day: 24 April 2010

• Sat 24 Apr (Face-to-face meeting)Session 1 Understanding our Digital World (10am-12nn)Introductory seminar series on New Media and its Impact on Learning and Communications (Orientation seminar for pastors/ministry leaders)Session 2 Making the Gospel Click (2-4pm)Snapshots and sharing from Media/New Media ministries. Project Forum for missions in Second LifeSession 3 ATRIA Unconference (4-5pm)Open space discussions on three key issues around Church and New Media. Summary and FellowshipVenueKum Yan Methodist Church. Get map hereRegister here

Fringe events

• Mon 19 Apr - Fri 23 Apr (Online activities)Mon 19 Apr: Blogging carnivalTue 20 Apr: Testimony wallWed 21 Apr: Online missionsThu 22 Apr: New media ForumFri 23 Apr: Creative Communications
  
  
  

  IED@SG is jointly organised by:

• New Media Group
• Creative Communications, Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ

Drama Ministry Meet Up

UPDATE on the meeting today:

A great time this afternoon meeting one another, talking about what each person had been or is doing or plans to do.

what we'd seen other churches doing etc. 

Heard updates, affirmed the power of drama not just on the audience but the way it brings people together with the shared experience - lifelong lasting impressions.

(regardless of the professionalism - it still was a catalytic event)

A new youth drama ministry held auditions. A "using drama to teach children" workshop is now in the works for August. The Voice theatre company is branching out to do shows in the community in Chinese. We discussed things like the problem of youth not having the capacity to sit for long periods or tolerate simple, so churches working at Big production values and then there's the small churchplant where worship is simply singing, preaching, communion, casual welcomes and announcements every week and it's growing like i've never seen with teenagers enjoying it.

Oh, we covered a lot of territory in 2 hours. 

But we all had the unanimous conviction that it's all pretty unimportant compared to simply walking with Christ our Saviour.

When the gals who exchanged business cards cc me on the plans they make, or the websites they've found, or other resources they've discovered, I'll post it up on the blog.

http://spicetolife.blogspot.com.

Please pray for my family and I in Turkey this next week! Let me know how I can be praying for you - especially Easter preparations! We'll come back in time to come watch and worship with you, so if you're using drama Easter weekend, please let me know! Also, if you want me to take you off this group, let me know that too! Don't want to spam you!

One of your fans,

K!Mberly

Theatre Practitioner / Explorer

CRMS

www.crms.org.sg

just an fyi - for what it's worth -

i made a second blog years ago with lesson plans, and handouts for drama training sessions/seminars

http://spicetolife2.blogspot.com

Who came today? 

Quek Shi Wei (Riverlife)

Cheryl Ng (Trinity Christian Centre, The Voice)

Mary Soon (Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer)

Tina Atiga + imminent baby! (Every Nation Church)

moi (Redemption Hill Church)

Michael Gerson - Christmas: The grandest myth, the greatest hope - washingtonpost.com

Michael Gerson - Christmas: The grandest myth, the greatest hope - washingtonpost.com

wonderful writing for a Christmas Day. That it's in the Post also sends a signal of hope for those who are despairing of modern US culture having uprooted and tossed out it's God fearing roots.

How Drama (and Sports) Can Be Good Missions Strategy

let's go!

Development projects are just as crucial to Afghan hearts as U.S. military operations, author Awista Ayub tells CNN's Manisha Tank.

Adding some Spice to LIfe at the EPIC Experience

Sketch called: "The Full LIfe" adapted for Singapore from

Photo highlights from Deniece Grace's album: 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=344208&id=848875135

My New Hero! Grandma Can Salsa!

It's dance video link day for Spicetolife!

Thanks David Calkins for the fwd!

Dance Addiction

thanks Rhapsody for this forward from the Dance Fever TV show. Not only addiction, but any sin, I'd say. Powerful.

Watershed Arts, Garold Andersen, Brand New Bag

Watershed Arts, Garold Andersen, Brand New Bag

just read about it on amazon...Garold & Lori came to Singapore a few years ago. Can't wait to read it.

CONFESSION: I'm a recovering Lone Ranger.

Have you ever been frustrated with the messiness of working with others? I feel like I get so much more done, and done better when I go it alone, but I keep hearing, reading, seeing the motivational posters that we're stronger when we work as a team than when we go it alone.

I know it's typical. I'm well aware of the typical "developmental phases of a leader" (CRM Focusing Leaders/research by Dr. Bobby Clinton). A typical statement of people my age about their work/or ministry is: "IT WOULD BE GREAT IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE PEOPLE."

I'm in the middle of a project that's requiring professional flexiblity that Elastigirl from the INCREDIBLES would find challenging.

The Apostle Paul in the Bible teaches us about being "the body of Christ" Romans 12 first addresses it, and then in 1 Corinthians 12:12 & 21...

"12. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ....²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

That about sums up how I've been feeling the last few weeks.

It doesn't so much matter what it is that's requiring me to grow in patience and grace. What matters is what I find myself reading the day after I asked the Lord: "Can I just quit? Would it be okay if I just stopped working on this?"And I sensed Him say: "Sorry. no. you need to stick with it. see it through." 


I find myself finishing a terrific book by Gordon Smith, Courage & Calling.  Chapter 9 takes all the teaching about our vocations: our holy purpose for being on the earth, for this time and addresses the topic "Working With and Within Organizations."


Among the many good points Smith has is this point - jumping off the page as if a neon sign:

"Accept and work within the limits and strengths of the organization.... This means accepting the limitations in a situation; but more, it also means seeing the potential within those limits....

 "This does not mean that we tolerate mediocrity; rather it means that we pursue excellence within our particular situation and its potential rather than constantly complaining about what we wish did characterize our situation.

"...it is easy to be a critic. It is easy to identify with what is not present and what is not good and what you wish would make an organization better. But true genius has the capacity to identify the strengths and work from them, to build on them and celebrate them, being grateful for what is there rather than complaining about what it not there." p173-4.

As I put the book down, I pick up a missionary newsletter from a respected friend and Arts Ministry professional. Robin Harris was reporting on her trip to Tuva's capitol city Kyzyl, for a disorganized first Ethnomusicological Worship Arts Conference (layman's terms: culturally relevant music). It's not a surprise to me that she's reporting on a similar challenge with grace and dignity:

"It is very often true that pioneer efforts are messy, so it's no surprise that this first attempt was, well, messy. Besides, it's about time the churches in Kyzyl started working as a team! We count it a privilege to have been the catalyst to motivate that very healthy step forward."

If you're in the midst of a chaotic project and needing encouragement to stick with it with grace, know you're not alone! The integrity and character which is being built in us is to grow in not only our patience and grace, but even more fundamentally, our respect for the dignity and reputation of others, "regardless of their competency or effectiveness." (Courage & Calling, p166)

We all have so much growing to do!

Faith and Performing Arts in Slovenia

From Lin Sexton a friend through CITA in USA:

Thank you so much for your help with Playback Theatre. The Slovenia performing arts camp turned out to be far more than we even hoped for. I am so thankful for your encouragement and help!

Except for the Playback sketch, they performed in English because most Europeans want to speak English. We were joined by a Slovene director who is getting her doctorate in Playback in a study sponsored by the EU. I hope you'll watch the little youtube clip below - in it you'll see these kids, only a few of whom are connected with an evangelical church singing about Jesus. Each song caused great discussion. Each sketch and dance, the same. The Spirit filled the room as they performed for a packed audience the last night. We have been invited back next year to do an even bigger camp!

The PT sketch developed in workshop was based on the true story of one of the girls. She had been raped as a child, her family would not even discuss it, betrayed by a lover as a college freshman, and through a Christian therapist found the "real God" who healed her heart. I could not have scripted anything more true or moving or relevant to Slovene culture. The PT expert chose this story out of all those told to prepare as part of our show (Of course, the girl remained anonymous to the audience).

I could go on with dozens of stories, but I just hope you'll watch the video clip (it's short) and accept my thanks.

Performing the Sacred, Dr Dale Savidge in Singapore

Friends who are passionate about Jesus and Theatre!

Last Thursday thru Sat Dr. Dale Savidge* came to Singapore and we had a great intensive class : PERFORMING THE SACRED at TCA College (where I have the privilege of teaching the theatre courses for students who want to use creative arts in ministry:                                  

(see FB group page for photos). We're all exhausted, but full from great fresh insight on the relationship between Christianity and Theatre, as well as collaborating with one another on bringing Scripture to life in creative ways.

Then, yesterday, Wednesday - Theatre Practitioners had a "Uniquely Singapore City Tour"

Working professionals in theatre and performing arts had a full day of tourism and hanging out. It was a good excuse to get together, know one another better, and be mutually encouraged by taking Dr. Savidge around out town.

Tonight: Drama as Ministry Fellowship

A casual gathering of those who use Theatre in ministry - or would like to. Held at Hope Church Singapore, Cuppage Plaza, top floor auditorium. A great opportunity to meet up with others who share your passion, and meet Dr. Savidge with some Q&A follow up to the PERFORMING THE SACRED class last week (for those who missed it!). If you've recently presented something for worship, or have a short script that's getting polished up, or have produced a short video for worship, bring it along as a show-and-tell to inspire us! (text ahead of time, so we can plan accordingly!)

Check out the Facebook group page for details! (join the group too!) 

(Photos from our first showcase workshop May 2nd)

Hope we get to see you this week!

For the CITA SIngapore team,

K!Mberly Creasman

Theatre Practitioner/Explorer

Church Resource Ministries

*Info on Dr. Savidge & TCA College, Certificate in Higher Education in Creative Arts:

http://www.tca.edu.sg/

Dr. Savidge was brought out for TCA's 30th Anniversary celebrations starting later this week. I've known and respected Dale since 1992 when I joined CITA (a 20+ year old organization for networking and resourcing Christians in Theatre Arts). He wrote the chapter on theatre in Amour Publishing's SIGHTS & SOUNDS: A Christian Response to Media and the Arts (local) and helped us in designing the theatre courses for the college. He has 2 masters degrees and a PhD in English and Theatre, and has his own arts management company representing some extremely talented actors in USA (including Rich Swingle  who came from New York to be in the cast of Judah Ben Hur years ago, and & Bruce Kuhn who came through a few years ago to do his Gospel of Luke in a few venues and teach a worshop on Biblical Storytelling at GBST.)

If you want to read more about Dr. Savidge, Here's the link to the CITA leadership page on the Christians in theatre Website. But trust me. He's not only well connected to what Christians are doing in theatre, and extremely smart, he's also just an all around great man.
http://cita.org/site/?page_id=8

PERFORMING THE SACRED

Resources for drama ministry
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

Dale Savidge visits Singapore to bring his expertise at TCA College. Three days of good impartation. He says the history is the boring bit. But it was most fascinating to me!

Great to have a whole bunch of people sharing and creating and learning together. As Dale said today: over the years many things have come out of the connections made from seeds planted, germinated, sprouted at CITA conferences in North America. Marriages, Theatre Companies, Plays written, produced, collaborated on...

Who knows what will happen from those who gather together these few days while Dale visits us from USA.

One group the Footstool Players from KL came down for these 3 days. Check out the website to find out more about this touring group from Malaysia that was birthed out of a local church.

Thank you TCA College and Paul David (Acting Dean of their School of Creative Arts) for having the generosity and vision to bring Dr. Savidge out for your 30th Anniversary Celebrations!

Theatre as Ministry in Singapore

a CITA Singapore and CRM (Church Resource Ministries) event

Thursday, September 2, 2009
Hope Church Singapore, Cuppage Plaza
7:30 PM

If you are using theatre in ministry somehow, or would like to explore performing arts in your church or outreaches, we're gathering with Dr. Dale Savidge of Christians in Theatre Arts

Come meet others in the city who have the same passion as you: Jesus and Theatre

Yu Ben Had's Feedback Form

Yu Ben Had's Feedback Form
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

from the Drama workshop July 4. Seems we did a great Job. Mr Yu was very impressed.

Summer Ministry Update 2009 from K!Mberly

Exploring Drama as Ministry Showcase/Workshop with local theatre & drama ministry leaders (8 different churches involved!).

On July 4th the team pulled off a second Exploring Drama as Ministry workshop. There was more hands on participation and loads of interest in us holding more workshops. Some of the churches have asked our trainers to come teach workshops in their churches. 

Following the workshop was a unique opportunity to help coach a 7 year old Christian accapella group "Agape lla" for their first major concert! It was a delight to come alongside them in a few rehearsals to cheer them into a higher level of public performance/showmanship. I felt God's pleasure as I helped them go from good to great!

Agapella had two blessed nights of proclaiming our good news through accapella music to sold out crowds in the theatre of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Following that, I had a unique opportunity to work with local secular musicians for a Singapore Heritage Board Concert. A friend needed some technical behind the scenes help for the concert at the last minute. Please pray that God would open doors for ministry to musicians through the connections made in this concert.

This Monday night my college level Theatre students took their final exam and read their final drafts of the scripts they've written (for use in a ministry context). Two of my students went on a mission trip to Philippines (w permission, a sweet thank you note is pasted below).

The next big drama event for Kimberly: Christians in Theatre Arts Exec Director comes from USA late August to teach, speak, meet & encourage believers in the arts community. Pray with me as I organize support for his class (above) and set up opportunities for him to bless and encourage Christians in the arts.

But for the next week, we're on "staycation" -- taking a break here in Singapore! Glad for the time to relax with Jim even if it's still in muggy weather we can turn on the airconditioning and relax with a good book or two. We'll ride out this crazy swine flu and be rejuvinated for when Tyler comes back from USA and we launch into a new school year for the boys.

Prayers in our personal life answered. Thank God with us for:

-Growing depth of friendship and spiritual nurture with peers. After all these years we have a growing circle of peer friendships. Thank you for praying.

-Settling in a new "home church" here in Singapore: Redemption Hill, a 7 month old church plant.

-Competent health care providers on the various fronts of healing. Still not 100%, but thankful for good healthcare and healing coming slow but steady.

-Tyler's experience in USA w/YoungLife camp and special time with family. Cameron's maturing while being "only child" in Singapore for the summer break

-Focus on the Family offered us a generous bursary toward the course Cameron's taking to make it affordable for us!

Prayer :

Deepening love for and dependence on the LORD

Obedience to do daring things by faith, and staying the course in faithfulness. Whatever God wants.

Planning for the future.

Healing.

& Provision for those who are partners in our ministry financially. Continue to pray with us that God will provide for you, bless his followers and meet all of our needs. We are confident that He is able, but we are all now more aware of our dependence on Him!

Do let us know how we can be praying for you!

fondly!

Kimberly 

for the Creasmans

(Love the World, Soul, Rock Bistro Bar: June 2nd, singing for an evangelistic concert hosted by Grace Assembly of God. They let me coach the 5 other singers in their introductions, and let me take the stage too! My first chance to perform in 2009)

*On Jul 20, 2009, at 5:10 PM, student Rachel Eric wrote to me after their trip to the Philippines:
Hey Kimberly! Of course...you can share it with anyone and everyone...no need our permission! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! Feel so blessed and excited to 'go for it' even more cos God is so awesome! :) But it really is no small part you empower us! Ella, Bee, Khimmy and I always get so so excited about all that you teach us and show us is possible to do!!! Oh yes, forgot to say too that one of the mimes that we did there was The Box, which Dorithy did for her final performance in Performing Arts class! The videos on YouTube are so helpful and Dorithy was so kind and supportive providing us the script to do so too! :) Thank you so much again, and God bless you and your family so richly! lotsa love and hugs out,

Ella and i are back from a most wonderful mission trip to the Philippines.  I believe Ella would have filled you'll in on the awesome things God amongst us. God really used drama, songs, dance as a tool that crossed cultural or language barriers...to not only spread His message but bond the people and us together in a special way. And from day one we were awed that God was our divine director.  Cos no matter what mistakes we made - the entire thing ends on a perfect note, the people understood the message in a much deeper way than we expected and we had loads of fun! The drama workshop we did was so simple but super fun. A leader in our host church told us that those who are interested in drama don't have a chance to really learn this stuff that we have learnt, cos many of them arnt from backgrounds too that enable them to go to college or special courses. But the people, mainly kids, youth and young adults who attended are so talented and have such a burning heart for God, they learnt so enthusiastically and quickly. We are so excited that groups from some churches including our host church are also going to use drama as a ministry in a greater way! We came back home so blessed by the Filipinos. Cos though they're so super gifted in the arts, esp music, they have a spirit of humility. The very gifted people we had the privelege to be with never once displayed their talents but were always very communal  - using it to encourage everyone to come together at various spontaneous occasions to give their talents, their best to worship God. We're back wanting to cultivate this spirit in ourselves and the youth we're so blessed to work with in church.  We really want to thank you for your teaching and guidance in our lives, not just as artistes but as people who are passionate and available to God.  We would not have the knowledge, confidence, creativity, resources and everything else that enabled us to do what we did if not for you'll being our teacher and role-model!

We thank God for you'll so so so much! God bless you and your family, work etc richly! With much love, rach  on behalf of Ella too :)