Fall 2022 Ministry News Update
Updated: Nov 21, 2022
Dr. William S. Barnett, President and Executive Director
We rejoice and thank God for a productive and impactful year, with over 55 coming to Christ and hundreds impacted by our Gospel-infused arts programs reaching underprivileged children and youth, and adults battling addiction. As we advance our mission, discipling and equipping artists and serving those in need and without hope, we will continue to reach Southwest Florida and beyond with the love and hope of Christ.
God has a plan for artists
God placed a vision in my heart of a ministry that would evangelize and disciple artists to spread the Gospel worldwide. He poured Ephesians 2:10 into my spirit in the most impactful way. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” It was through that verse that Storytellers Creative Arts was born.
For more than three decades, I have immersed my life in the advocacy and promotion of the arts because I believe they are the most potent force to change the culture, and effectively and fervently present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform lives. Artists in every genre are on the frontlines of the most critical spheres of a culture saturated with the arts.
Countering cancelation
God is calling us to to take the ministry to a higher, more profound level of impact.
Presently, there is a worldwide resurgence in the arts, and if it is to be fully expressed and utilized for eternal kingdom impact, it must be redeemed and restored. Cancel culture is fiercely manipulating the arts; forcing its beliefs, obsessions, and value systems upon every art form; and obliterating history to reset all of life and eradicate Judeo-Christian values. The forces of darkness have taken the arts captive in every aspect of humanity. But Jesus came to free captives and bind up the wounds of a broken world, which is our hope and assurance. God’s eternal goodness, truth, and beauty must be restored!
Artists discipling the world
A new generation of artists, writers, musicians, singers, and performers is emerging, and a resurgence of the arts is happening worldwide. God is raising, calling, equipping, and sending artists to saturate the world with the Gospel through their art.
Today, Storytellers has grown into a global ministry with participating artists in 28 states and abroad in Japan, India, Russia, and Africa. We have opened the “1040 Window,” which includes the majority of the world’s Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, to reach artists in places where the Gospel has never been heard. This firmly establishes us and the heart of our ministry: embracing a Christ identity, experiencing authentic community, and discovering our God-given purpose as artists. We are leading people to saving faith in Jesus Christ, the One who transforms lives. We are indeed, artists discipling the world.
A name that reflects our mission — today and tomorrow
As we continue to grow and evolve, we have come to the realization that a name change was needed to communicate who we are and what we do. Our name does not clearly reflect our ministry and its broad scope. To date, we have touched over 300 artists in our onsite and virtual groups and ministered to thousands, and exponential growth is in sight as we plant new groups across the U.S. and the world. And so, after much prayer and research, we have selected a new name:
Our new name is International Network of Creatives. Its descriptive tagline is Artists discipling the world.
Despite a new name and identity, our goals remain constant: to maintain our focus on Naples; to plant discipleship groups in major cities and communities, replicating our current growth model; and to address critical areas in the lives of artists, the unreached, and those in recovery.
As we minister to artists and through artists, we believe our best days are ahead – that God has a special calling and purpose for our ministry — one that can only be achieved through the transforming power of Christ.
Be a part of what God is doing!
When you contribute financially, you're supporting a global community that God is using to transform the world. Your tax-deductible donation will enable us to accomplish our mission.
A Southwest Florida-based, global non-profit that disciples, equips and unleashes artists to impact the world for Christ, and serve the least, the lost, and the last.
For more information on our outreach programs, community groups for artists, and upcoming events. volunteer opportunities or to donate, email: info@scanaples.org or call (239) 287-7331.