Today we're introducing as one of our frequent bloggers a new friend of mine, Tony Kim.
Tony grew up in Dallas. His parents were 1st generation Korean immigrants, and he has always experienced a multicultural environment. He tells me that art was his escape from the pain of not fitting in. Tony's ministry experiences have included a role as Creative Arts Director at one of the largest college ministries in Texas. From there he helped to plant a multi-racial church in Memphis. God was teaching Tony how the arts could foster reconciliation in diverse communities. Tony thought he'd be in Memphis for a very long time, but was led by God four years ago to Orange County and Newsong, starting as their Creative Arts Pastor.
Four months ago, Tony sensed God was nudging him to create a new role at his church, one that he is still experimenting with, called Creative Leadership Director. Under the leadership of Pastor David Gibbons, Tony provides executive leadership of the church, training to their staff, creative resourcing to all ministries and lay leaders, and also leans into his visual artistic gifts as the interior designer of their facility. I've seen photos of the spaces Tony has designed where their volunteers and staff can create services and where the artists hang out in their delightful Green Room. I think of Tony as a modern day Renaissance Man - he synthesizes his gifts of leadership and creativity in a role that allows him to flourish.
With his creative voice usually expressed in painting, Tony is also branching out and writing his first book about "the art of creative leadership." He's been married to Erin for 12 years. She is also a designer and creative leader, which makes me assume they are raising creative children in Ella, age 6 and Hayden, age 4. Any day now they will add to their family with an adoption!
There is so much we can learn from Tony. His mantra is: "Design Matters" - whether it's a service, a concept, or an environment. I urge you to tune in closer whenever Tony writes one of his posts. He's a treasured voice and servant in the kingdom and a true champion for church artists.
Nancy Beach