By Emily Marschner, Creative Arts Conference Director
There’s a phrase often exchanged between artists and those who don’t consider themselves artistic. You’ve probably heard it — maybe even said it yourself:
“I can barely draw a stick figure!”
Last weekend, during our Creative Arts Conference, one of our speakers shared a story about a stick figure that made a lasting, eternal imprint on his life.
He was sitting in a pew in Ponderosa Chapel — a high schooler who had grown up in a Christian home, who had put his trust in Christ at a young age, yet still carried questions. Questions many of us wrestle with as we grow up. There in the pew, he prayed and asked God to help him.
The speaker stood on stage with a giant whiteboard and a dry-erase marker. He drew two simple images: a stick figure and a boat, representing Noah’s Ark. He explained that the stick figure was us, and the boat — ultimately — was Jesus.
As simple as it was, that drawing clicked. It was a light-bulb moment for the camper — the moment he realized that the Bible isn’t just a collection of stories, but one grand story pointing to our Savior.
The speaker? Mike Maples, former board member.
The camper? Jeremy Spears — now a Disney storyboard artist and co-director of the animated short film Forevergreen.
This, friends, is why we hold the Creative Arts Conference.
It’s not a gathering for elite artists — it’s a gathering for people. A space to explore the creative ways we reflect our Creator.
We may not all be artists, but we are all creative — whether we’re painting a picture, designing a spreadsheet, or telling a story with a marker and a whiteboard.
So let’s keep doing this good work — as Paul encouraged Timothy, “do the work of an evangelist.” And if all you have is a marker and a board, then draw that stick figure — to the glory of God.
Stories like Jeremy’s are happening every year — reminders that God is at work in and through creativity.
We’d love for you to be part of it next year at the Creative Arts Conference, October 15–18, 2026.
Bring your craft, your questions, and your heart for the Creator.