“Preach the Gospel at all times. And when necessary, use words.”
When Saint Francis of Assisi said those words, I suspect he might have been talking about Christian creatives.
We express our love for the Lord in art, design, media, music, writing, speaking, film, and so much more. We tell the story of Jesus with excitement.
Some of us do it with paint and canvas. Some with melodies and harmonies. Some with cameras, scripts, or poetry. Others with essays, devotionals, novels, and teaching.
We may have talents similar to people who don’t share our faith. But the difference is where our ideas come from and why we create. As Christian creatives, we rely on God for inspiration, for the unexpected twist, for the message beneath the message. We trust the Holy Spirit to breathe life into what we make.
And sometimes the result is something we never could have imagined on our own.
I’ve always known I was creative, but for many years I didn’t know what to call myself.
Writer? Speaker? Teacher? Storyteller? Encourager?
I felt like I was standing in the hallway of creativity, peeking into all the different rooms but unsure where I belonged.
Then I discovered something wonderful: many creatives live in that hallway.
We don’t all fit neatly into one category. Many of us write and paint. Or compose music and design graphics. Or write books and teach workshops. Creativity often spills across categories.
That’s why I’m so grateful for a place like The Well—a gathering where creatives can come together, share inspiration, and meet others who understand the way our minds and hearts work.
I am thrilled to attend the 2026 conference this spring in Zeeland, Michigan, and I can’t wait to meet you there.
There’s something special that happens when creative believers gather. Ideas start flying. Someone mentions a project and suddenly five people are offering encouragement. A casual conversation over coffee turns into the seed of a new ministry or collaboration.
And sometimes, you meet someone who simply says the exact words you needed to hear at the exact moment you needed them.
Those moments change us.
All Things Publishing
If you’ve ever wondered how the publishing world actually works, join me for my pre-conference session on All Things Publishing.
Publishing can feel like a maze with a hundred doors and no map. Traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, self-publishing, agents, proposals, editing, marketing—it can be overwhelming.
It’s enough to make any writer stare at their laptop and think, Maybe I’ll just take up basket weaving instead.
I know that feeling well.
Years ago, when I first entered the publishing world, I made several big mistakes simply because I didn’t know the path. I wish someone had pulled me aside and said, “Let me show you how this works.”
That’s exactly what I want to do for you.
I’m a multi-published author and the owner of two publishing houses, so I’ve seen this industry from several sides. In this session, I’ll walk you through the landscape and help you create a personal publishing plan with goals, strategy, and clear next steps for your current project.
My hope is that you will leave the room with clarity and confidence about where your work should go next.
Once Upon a Time
I’ll also be teaching a workshop called Once Upon a Time, all about storytelling.
Story is the heart of every creative project.
Whether you are painting, writing lyrics, composing poetry, crafting a screenplay, or writing nonfiction, story is the thread that pulls people in and keeps them listening.
A few years ago, I attended a storytelling event where people told true stories from their lives. One after another, people stepped up and shared moments that were funny, painful, surprising, or deeply meaningful.
No stage lights. No special effects. Just story.
And the entire room was captivated.
That’s the power of story. It connects hearts faster than almost anything else.
Over the years I’ve studied storytelling extensively and been mentored by several national coaches in the craft. In this workshop I’ll share some of the structure and techniques that make stories powerful—tools you can apply whether you’re writing fiction, nonfiction, music, or visual art.
If you want people to remember your work long after they encounter it, storytelling is the most important skill you can develop.
Why a Coach Might Be Your Smartest Next Step
And did I mention coaching?
Hiring a coach may be one of the smartest investments you ever make in your creative life.
I wish I had done it sooner.
Even though I’m a certified coach myself, I hire a coach every year in some specialty—writing, speaking, voice, storytelling, and promotion. A good coach brings perspective you simply cannot see on your own.
- They help you identify strengths you may have overlooked.
- They ask questions that unlock new ideas.
- And sometimes they lovingly push you past the fears that have been holding you back.
Think of a coach as someone who stands beside you saying, “Yes, you can do this. Now let’s figure out how.”
Why Gatherings Like THE WELL Matter
Creative work can sometimes feel lonely.
We spend hours alone with a blank page, a canvas, a keyboard, or a half-finished idea. Sometimes we wonder if what we’re doing even matters.
When we come together, something powerful happens.
- Encouragement grows.
- Ideas spark.
- Friendships begin.
- And sometimes a brand-new creative dream is born.
I’m so excited to be part of The Well this year, and I hope you’ll come join us.
Who knows?
The conversation you start there might become the story you tell for the rest of your life.
And maybe—just maybe—you’ll find yourself preaching the Gospel in technicolor too.
