ChristeleBethsey
Every dream starts with a seed. For me, it began with a burden.
My seed was a longing to see children in our communities discover their God-given gifts through art, music, and dance. I didn’t want it to be about fame or performance. I wanted it to be about purpose, about living out the Word of God and helping families see the beauty and creativity He placed inside each of their children.
I was raised the second of five children. Most of our childhood, there wasn’t much room for individualized interests. It just wasn’t convenient for our family to split in different directions. So, whatever my sister was into, I had to tag along. Where she flourished, I often fell short. Her natural talents were not my own, but either my parents didn’t notice or didn’t have the space to care, because there I was, right beside her, at every after-school program and church group.
Even as I grew older and could make my own choices, I still found myself following her path. It was comfortable, familiar, but it wasn’t a place of growth or individuality.
That is not how God made us.
He didn’t create clones. He didn’t make the same person over and over again. He made each of us different, uniquely designed in His image, each revealing a different part of who He is.
I grew into my love for the Lord after discovering my love for dance. I started dancing in my public elementary school; I joined the choir and even played the violin. As I became more involved in the arts, something shifted, I began to focus more in class. Maybe it was because I didn’t want to be pulled out for bad grades, but I truly believe it was because I had finally found an outlet for my creativity. I no longer had to doodle across my notes or talk through lessons to feel heard. I could express myself in a way that made me feel understood. My own upbringing made me sensitive to the importance of the arts.
As I matured in Christ, I witnessed how the Lord could use creativity as ministry. For years, school and church felt like two different worlds, until I became old enough to teach Sunday School. There, I realized it was one big, beautiful world. A world where you could imagine wonderful things into existence and create when there was nothing there. I started using arts and crafts in my Sunday School lessons, reaching students like me, those whose creative energy just needed direction to stay focused and engaged.
I was blessed to be raised in a church that nurtured me. It gave me a safe space to explore my gifts without financial pressure and without fear of falling short. The love my church showed me, from childhood to mastering dance and other skills, was so profound that I know I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.
That love made me think about other children, those without a church home or a place where their families can bring them to explore their talents. My parents could never have afforded to send all five of us to separate camps or programs. But the church made room for us. It was a free and open space to learn about both God and ourselves.
Over time, I began to see how the Lord had been shaping my life, pulling me into ministry and showing me how He could use even my creative differences for His glory. He did all of this for a reason.
This dream has never been just about me.
It’s about creating a place where light can shine through art and faith, where children who were once overlooked can finally be seen. The vision is big, but I believe the God who gave it to me is even bigger.
Faith Reflection
So I ask you: How are you serving others with your gift?
This dream isn’t just mine — it’s a reminder that every one of us carries something the world needs.
Join the Journey
This is your time. Join me in this journey to build an arts school in our community, one that both serves others and glorifies God.
Continue to pray and subscribe to this blog. Join the discussion. And let’s make this vision a reality, together.
Ways You Can Support the Journey
So many of you have reached out with encouragement, and I can’t tell you how much that means. If you’re wondering how you can support, here are a few meaningful ways:
Pray with me. This vision is bigger than me, and prayer is one of the most powerful ways you can stand with me.
Share encouragement. A kind word, scripture, or even just a message saying “I’m cheering for you” keeps me going more than you know.
Spread the word. If this blog inspires you, share it with friends who may also be encouraged.
Offer wisdom. If you have experience in education, ministry, nonprofit work, or creative entrepreneurship, I’d love to learn from you.
Stay connected. Following along here on the blog is the best way to get updates as things unfold, no pressure, just community.
