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This event, co-sponsored by Wiconi International, which exists to see indigenous people come to faith and life in Jesus Christ and to fulfill their God-given place in the body of Christ worldwide, explored indigenous ministry among First Nations people and the unique voice with which pre-modern people groups can speak into a post-modern culture for the sake of Christ.

The conference featured President of Wiconi International, Richard Twiss, whose heart is one of openness to God’s Spirit in regards to using indigenous cultural forms, filled with Christ-centered meaning, to reach Native people and Anglos alike for Christ. Such an approach to indigenous cultural forms has largely been lacking in Native outreach in North America. Just as in Biblical times where people were oppressed beneath the weight of non-biblical tradition, so too, First Nations people have often been oppressed by the syncretistic imposition of Western culture on the Gospel – all in the name of Christ! This is not an isolated affair. Other people groups worldwide have experienced similar forms of oppression.

As the saying goes, we now live in a global village where the world lives at our doorstep. This conference asked how the church ought to respond to the huge challenges brought about as our churches become more ethnically and culturally diverse. Today’s church leaders were exhorted to rise to the challenge and pray, think and work through these issues together with an eye toward cultural sensitivity, biblical integrity, genuine unity and our future hope in Christ.

Along with Richard Twiss and Paul Metzger, the conference included Terry LeBlanc from the Mi’kmaq Nation, Ray Aldred from the Cree Nation and Cheryl Barnetson from the Carrier Nation. They helped us tackle the following themes: a theology of culture, biblical worldview, dangers of syncretism and relativism, cultural sensitivity, indigenous hymnody/ praise & worship, the emerging indigenous world missions movement, changing paradigms in Native ministry and the impact of a First Nations worldview in a postmodern culture.

This event was an unprecedented gathering of artists and non-artists who share a conviction that the centrality enjoyed by the arts in contemporary culture must be reflected in the church. As the theme suggests, this conference explored the role of the arts in the church and their place in engaging the broader culture for the sake of Christ. This rare gathering of talented artists and speakers included Martin French, a New York Society of Illustrators Gold Medalist. French has illustrated for such diverse clients as American Airlines, Bank of America, Coca Cola, and George Lucas Studios, and his own children’s book. French gave a lecture and slide presentation of his recent work, later exhibited at the Richard von Hess Illustration Gallery in Philadelphia.

French is a fine example of a Christian artist who reaches out in imaginative ways to those who are either disillusioned with Christianity or completely ignorant of Christ. Artists such as he go beyond the normal packaging of art by the Christian community, promoting work that causes Christians to search the Scriptures and their souls in seeking to live authentically. Oftentimes, the church promotes art that does not engage people where they exist. However, the Church – artists and non-artists alike – must go further in tapping into the raw experience of broader culture, making further inroads into segments of culture where the Church is not present.

Joining French at the conference was Portland author and speaker Don Miller, who presented a session entitled: “Finding and Understanding Christian Theology in Literature.” Miller discussed the theology within Shakespeare’s famed play “Romeo and Juliet.” He notes that when needing passionate metaphors, Shakespeare often called upon gospel themes. Along with other presenters, there was a panel discussion with various representatives from the arts community, and live performances.