April 3, 2015
Pacific Union Conference
Westlake Village, California

Let's Journey Together 

Welcome to the first edition of inSpire's eNews. We find ourselves at an exciting crossroads for creative expression--both within our culture and the Adventist church. Technology is talking us places we've never been before and new doors are opening every day. Come and journey with us as we discover how to use our gifts and skills to tell others about the incredible God we serve! --Rich DuBose

An Interview with Brittany Winkfield

I've been blessed to intern at VIBE Magazine in New York City and Upscale Magazine in Atlanta. I never thought my purpose would be to create a publication, but after seeing a need, Back2Basics Magazine (B2B Mag) was born to serve as a platform for young adults to express, encourage and excite.
An Interview with Brad Nickel

I was born in Canada but have lived half of my life in the States, mostly on the East and West coasts. I had an interest in music at an early age. My dad was really musical and taught me to play the guitar and later urged me to pursue a career in music.
American Made Guitars with Distinction

If you're looking for a new guitar and have around $3,000 to spend (ahem!), you should check out a Bedell. These hand-crafted American guitars have an amazing tone, and are painstakingly built in Bend, Ore. with environmentally sensitive woods from sustainable forests
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From inSpire's Creative Directory 

Ever since I could remember, I loved to draw. After being the first from both sides of my family to graduate college, I knew I had something that no one could ever take from me - knowledge.

Secular Campus Ministry Throughout NAD

Campus Catalyst Weekend Training, provided by the North American Division Youth Department through Adventist Christian Fellowship, is taking Adventist public campus ministry to a whole new level.
A Video Collage

The inSpire weekend (Jan. 23-24) at La Sierra University Church, was an awesome experience! It was FREE and open to all, but was especially intended for Adventist creatives. This video short reflects on the weekend.

inSpire 2015 Songwriting Awards

The results of the inSpire 2015 Songwriting Contest were announced in January and can be viewed on the inSpire website. The Psalmist said, "Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!" (Psalm 96:1, NLT). Today, both old and new songs are needed to proclaim God's praise.

Artist Sponsorship

Attention Musical Artists - How would you like to use your influence to help newly transplanted refugees assimilate into American culture? Each year thousands of refugees come to the U.S. from other parts of the world where they have been driven out--some by war and suspicion (some have served as interpreters for American troops and are no longer safe in their own country). Others have suffered persecution for their religious and political beliefs. 

As you travel around the country and share your music, why not help promote a cutting edge ministry that's being administered by a group of caring Adventists in San Diego, Calif?

Learn more about "Friendships of Hope" on Vimeo.

If you wish to become an official sponsor of Friendships for Hope (FOH), here are five ways you can help:

1. Pass out flyers at your concerts to promote FOH.
2. Dedicate a percentage of your album / concert sales to FOH.
3. Promote FOH online (put their logo on your Facebook page and website).
4. Visit the FOH campus in San Diego and learn more about their mission.
5. Pray that God will use FOH to help people find a new life.

If you are interested, Pastor Will James would love to talk with you and provide you with more details. Call him at: 619-395-5087 (cell).

inSpire 2016 - Sacramento

We're excited to announce that our next inSpire gathering for Adventist creatives will be in the Sacramento area at the Carmichael Adventist Church on April 15-16, 2016. We're telling you this far in advance so you can plan ahead.

Learn more about inSpire at www.visitinspire.org
Resources You Can Use

1. Scrivener - Check out this software that is especially designed for book authors to help them organize their material for publication.

2. iSkySoft Studio for Mac - This is a great program for downloading and converting YouTube videos.

3. West Coast Songwriters - This is not a religious group, but they are not opposed to religious music, and it gives artists opportunities to hone their skills through multiple competitions.

4. Music Production - If you record yourself (guitar, piano, vocals, etc.) to save money, you know all about the hassles that go along with producing your own recordings. TalkingMusic is a great place to go to get practical advice on how to do some of the technical stuff.

5. Percussion Options - Some innovative options are available to musicians who want minimal percussion to accompany their songs. Check out some of the stomp boxes that are available on Google, including the Farmer Drum. 

6. Nathan Green - Nathan Greene is a contemporary painter whose artistic heritage is grounded in the honored tradition of a golden era in American illustration.

Greene is only in his forties, but his tie to the spirit of the great illustrator/painters of the 1940s like Harry Anderson, Hayden Sundbloom (noted for his classic Santa paintings for Coca Cola), and Tom Lovell is a tangible one. Nathan knew the elderly Anderson personally and looked to the legendary artist for inspiration and creative insight.

inSpire
Sharing Christ Through the Arts

Editor - Rich DuBose
Secretary - Sharon Edwards
On Social Media - Like us on Facebook

A ministry of Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services - Inviting Adventist creatives to participate in the Adventist mission.
 
Contributing Editors: Nancy Canwell, Dick Duerksen, and Michael Temple
              
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