“Art as ministry is about looking at things more deeply,” explains Ellen Miller, a working artist and co-facilitator of the Visual Arts Ministry (VAM) of Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. “God is the original artist and has given us gifts of creativity. It is the responsibility of artists to tell the good news with their art.” We, made in the image of God the Creator, can be artists, using our creativity to serve God by working toward shalom (peace, harmony, wholeness) in the world.

Emily Pastin is a Campolo Scholar graduating from Eastern University this May with a degree in Dance. She believes (and we agree!) the fine and performing arts can be used for and to reflect the glory of God. Emily will be performing her Senior Dance Thesis, Life is but a Dream, this weekend in the McInnis Auditorium. If you live in the area, we hope you’ll join us to see this multi-talented Campolo Scholar showcase her creativity and the artistic gifts that she has been blessed with by God.

Senior Dance Thesis Performance by Campolo Scholar, Emily Pastin

Title: Life is but a Dream

Summary: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Romans 12:12 has been a significant verse in my life over the last four years as I began to meditate on it during my freshman year. “Life is but a Dream” is an artistic portrayal of all that humans experience in a life that is fleeting, as a good and everlasting God works in and through every moment to show us His truth and perfect love. Through the playfulness of childhood, growing with family, stepping out into the world for the first time, finding love, and experiencing pain, I have seen His goodness in each moment as I have worked to continuously commit my life to Him by staying joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.