Along with the influence that Business, Education, Media and Politics can have I also believe that the Arts have a huge role to play in seeing change happen in our society. People carrying values like loyalty, humility, drug free lifestyles, justice, truth, love and compassion. Art that is of the highest quality, raw, passionate and authentic. I am so excited at the potential of seeing a whole new generation of creatives being trained, loved and released in their calling to be 'Josephs' through who they are and what they create.
In ngm we have individual mentors for all our artists and we try and create a place where people can be themselves, deepen their faith, and be honest and accountable in their art and walk with God. It is going to need 'Josephs' not only in gifting but also in character if we are going to see a greater impact in our culture.
'The world is more malleable than you think and it's waiting for us to hammer it into shape' - Bono
I am presently about to start working on a new musical inspired by Rembrandt's painting of the prodigal son. I was asking God recently, one Sunday morning, to confirm that he wanted me to take it into the marketplace.
The message of unconditional love is so prophetic, particularly to our fatherless generation. I asked him if he could get someone to pick me out and tell me 'Ray you need to take your musicals into the marketplace!' It's a huge commercial risk taking a new musical on tour through the theatre world of our land. I just needed a definite confirmation from God that this was what he wanted me to do.
You can imagine my shock when an hour later the speaker at my local church stopped during his talk and asked if anyone was there from the musical Luv Esther (a musical I've written and produced based on the life of Esther). When I responded he said 'Ray, I believe God has a word for you, he wants you to take your musicals into the marketplace!' He went on to say that he believed that God would raise me up like Joseph and give me greater influence not only in the nation but also with those I work with within the industry. What a joy, along with thousands of others, to serve God's purposes at this time.
'Music is the supreme gift of God' - Martin Luther
A recent article by Rick Joyner noted that the first time someone was said to be filled with the Spirit was an artist called Bezalel (Exodus 31; 1 - 5). He was crucial to the building of the Tabernacle which can be seen as a prophetic model of the church. I believe that artists are also crucial to seeing the church fulfil its mandate to truly glorify God. I am not specifically thinking about worship leaders and worship bands, as important as these are, but artists that will be salt and light, show the goodness and love of God and be like Jesus in hanging out in the marketplace.
Being a successful artist, however, is not necessarily about being famous and becoming a superstar! Someone said that success for a Christian is being obedient to God. Whether we are publishers, music coaches, actors, tv presenters, promoters, start new record labels or indeed become well known artists, there are just so many different areas in the arts where we can play a successful part in helping to shape our culture.
'Truly, we are in a strategic new season now' - Todd Bentley
