The Arts

Transcript

Let’s all please welcome Genesis, a double major with an occupational focus in the arts. The Institute for Global Outreach Development’s hold that the arts are a key component for the development of any thriving community. With an on-campus recording studio, theater, dance studio and film studio, The Institute for G.O.D. gives students several venues to develop creative expression, even sharing it cross-culturally and around the world. Genesis, please take it away. ♪ I could sing of your love forever ♪ ♪ I could sing of your love forever ♪

– Thanks, Alex. Growing up, I spent hours singing, dancing, playing instruments, reading, writing and creating films. The more I was exposed to the creative arts, the more my love grew for them. I also wanted to learn God’s Word and even be a missionary, but wasn’t totally sure how those two things would go together. Enter the community development program, which is all about community building even in the developing world with the Bible as your main resource. For people to creatively express themselves is a gift and one of the main ways communities preserve their histories and tell their stories. Coupled with the professional development program, I’m a dance teacher creating class content, choreographing in our on-campus studio and getting my work showcased at the spring recital. Last summer, I choreographed and taught dance at a youth conference in El Salvador. That was amazing. I also lead worship for one of the college bands. A professional musician coaches us to hone in our sound, develop our skills, and connect with Jesus and each other. I’ve led worship for chapel, our campus church, youth groups, elderly homes during service projects and special events. To further my film passion, I produce content for the top social media platforms as an Institute ambassador. And concerning writing, this year I wrote content for a new devotional being commercially published. We also have an on-campus theater and I’ve been able to sing, dance, and act in full length musicals even at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Nothing compares to the feeling of expressing yourself alongside your friends. I’ve been given so many opportunities to express myself through the arts and how cool is it that I’m learning to root all of that in the Bible and even share it in cross-cultural settings all over the world. Back to you, Alex.

– That is pretty cool, Genesis. It’s great to see how The Institute for G.O.D. has made a way for creatives like yourself to couple your passions to learn the Bible and be a missionary with studies in the arts. That choreography you did for the kids in Africa was also really cool. Thank you so much for sharing your story.