Art and Culture Conference in Paris--Importance of Working on Teams

The second and fullest day of the Rencontre Européenne d'artistes/Encounter for European Artists in Paris is now done. My computer records show 120+ people, either full-time artists or people like me with a strong interest in the arts, have participated in either last night's or today's gathering.

There have been so many highlights to this conference that it is impossible to put them in one blog entry, unless it was a very long one. The keynote speaker has been Dr. Colin Harbinson, a man who has been involved in arts ministry for 35 years. He is currently dean of the school of arts at Bellhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. I'll do a future blog on his talk tonight on "Distortions in the Life of an Artist" based on Isaiah 6.

This entry focuses on the importance on working on teams and in community. I saw a great example of people, all volunteers basically, drawing together to make this event happen. The amazing thing is that the majority of them were from outside of France and were providentially all in Paris at the time of this event. It was a matter of recruiting them.

Mark Dirksen and Beth Maynard from Massachusetts were already in Paris for 2 months of ministry and played huge roles in the technical support, adminstration, and registration at the conference. Our Swiss church intern Christian Binggeli was a jack-of-all trades. YWAMers Jono Bevan prepared an amazing pasta supper meal tonight that really helped build community among all the participants. British interns Madeleine Williams, Becci Arnold, and Claire Warner at the hosting Marais Reformed Church were invaluable with their knowledge of the church building and the area around it. Wheaton students Keiko Kawate, Charity Kittler, Jacqueline March, Bonnie McDaniel, Jade McInroe, Rachel Schwarcz, and Bri Stynes provided invaluable help with serving tonight's meal (including making some wonderful green salads) and at coffee breaks.

We couldn't have envisioned even 2 months ago the team that God brought together. The Fonderie currently runs with just a skeleten staff of volunteers. But God knows what we need when we need it. When we launch out in faith in ways that advance God's glory and ways (rather than our glory and ways), then God always provides.

It was also excellent working with Creative Arts Europe on this event. We helped bring in participants from France, while they helped bring in participants from Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and other nations.