Jake, the graffiti artist, comes to town.

Art had much excitement this week at ICSB!

Jake visited from Vienna to share his testimony with out students during chapel. He did it in a very creative way: It began with dark, looming music. As it played, Jake painted a somber black and white portrait in front of the crowd. It was filled with depressing words like "lonley" and "shame." When the music came to an end, Jake shared with us about his life. More importantly, he shared how God saved his life. Jake was born with a pastor for a dad, but that meant nothing to him. Throughout his high school and college years, he found himself rebelling against church. This included graffiti, drugs, and alcohol. He was arrested for the first time when he was 17, but that didn't stop him. He kept going and going. He knew his life had no hope, but he had nothing to turn to except his addictions. Finally, after being arrested for the third time, he made a change.

Jake made God his new addiction. Now he is in Bible college in Vienna studying missions. He reflected how much more peace and hope his life now has. He was not like the man in the portrait anymore. We watched Jake tear away the sad portrait to reveal a glorious new life underneath.

Not only did we get to enjoy Jake's testimony during chapel, but he stuck around to paint a mural for the school. He also showed some of the students how to spray paint, and they tried their hand at it. Who's mural do you like better?

Also, I roped Jake into helping with my middle school classes. Together, he and I blocked out some designs for my 7th and 8th graders. We then let them have their creative ways to paint the designs. What cool group projects!!