Relating the Mission of God to Multiplying Missional Artists

Introduction

In the modern world, the arts and communication are powerful tools that can shape culture and impact lives. As the mission of God—Missio Dei—continues to call believers to share the message of hope, justice, and redemption, creatives in fields like communication, digital arts, technology, film, and music have unique opportunities to contribute to God’s redemptive work. Equipping these creatives for missional impact requires intentional discipleship—teaching them not only to communicate the gospel with integrity but also to use their craft as a means to transform culture and lead others to Christ. By exploring how biblical illustrations can inform the creative process, we see how God calls His people to engage deeply with both the world and His Word, inviting others into His story of restoration. This approach unpacks how discipleship through the arts, whether through storytelling, innovation, or worship, can play a crucial role in the spread of God’s kingdom.

1. Communicating the Gospel with Integrity and Impact

In the realm of communication and Media Studies, equipping creatives involves guiding communicators to align their storytelling and content with the values and purposes of the Missio Dei, or the mission of God. Missional impact here refers to the power of communication to reflect biblical truth, influence culture, and foster transformation by communicating God’s message of hope, justice, and redemption. Disciplemaking in this context emphasizes how communicators use their craft as an intentional act of discipleship by integrating faith into their work, guiding others toward Christ-like living.

The role of missional discipleship of creatives is twofold: first, in equipping communicators to articulate the gospel in a relevant and compelling manner, and second, in helping them embody Christ’s values in their messaging. Disciplemaking involves both sharing the gospel and modeling Christ-like integrity, so communicators’ work not only informs but also inspires spiritual growth in others. As communicators practice these values, they become ambassadors for Christ, calling their audiences to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). This parallels the commission Jesus gave to His followers in Matthew 28:19-20, to go and make disciples by teaching and baptizing in His name.

Biblical Illustration
In the context of the ancient Jewish world, Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), a chief tax collector, was despised by his fellow Jews for collaborating with the Roman oppressors and enriching himself at their expense. Tax collectors in first-century Judea were seen as traitors, and they were often associated with dishonesty and greed. Zacchaeus, in this context, represents a person alienated from both his community and from God. However, Jesus’ interaction with him shows the radical inclusiveness of God’s mission. Jesus did not just speak to Zacchaeus from a distance; He chose to enter Zacchaeus’ home, initiating a relationship, despite the societal disdain.

This cultural context highlights the transformative power of communication: Jesus used words that cut through Zacchaeus’ guilt and self-condemnation, and through His message of grace, Zacchaeus responded with repentance and restitution. Just as Jesus used direct, compassionate communication to invite Zacchaeus into the story of redemption, communicators today are called to engage their audience not just through information but through relational, transformative communication. Zacchaeus’ life was turned around because of Jesus’ invitation to fellowship, demonstrating that the Gospel is not merely preached through words but lived through actions and relationships.

In the context of creative communicators today, this passage underscores the importance of using one’s platform to not just speak truth but to build genuine relationships and invite transformation. Creatives can leverage their platforms to be agents of reconciliation, just as Jesus was in His engagement with Zacchaeus. This relational discipleship, where integrity and Christ-like values are central, becomes the foundation of any impactful communication in missional contexts.

Applications for Missional Careers in Communication and Media

• Modeling Integrity
  Communicators can disciple others by modeling ethical behavior and integrity in their media content, ensuring that their work aligns with biblical truths and fosters trust within their communities.
• Influencing Culture
  Through creative storytelling and media production, communicators can engage in cultural renewal, addressing issues like injustice, redemption, and grace through Christ-centered narratives.

2. Visual Storytelling for Missional Impact

In the digital visual media arts, the mission of God calls creatives to produce works that speak to the heart of God’s redemptive plan. Equipping digital artists involves mentoring them to use their craft as a tool for disciplemaking, creating visually impactful works that transcend cultural boundaries. The missional impact is realized when these artists use their platforms to communicate God’s truths of grace, redemption, and love through digital artwork, animations, or virtual platforms.

Disciplemaking within this sphere involves equipping artists to discern how their creations can reflect God’s character and values. This goes beyond creating visually appealing content to actively using their work as a medium for spiritual transformation. Their art can become a tool for inviting others into the story of God’s kingdom. As with the Apostle Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:8), discipleship here is about sharing both the gospel and one’s life—mentoring artists to live out their faith and create with purpose.

Biblical Illustration
The imagery in Revelation 21 comes at the end of the biblical narrative, when God promises a new creation—free from pain, sorrow, and death. For the original readers of Revelation, many of whom were living in the Roman Empire under intense persecution, this vision of a renewed world was an incredible source of hope. The cultural context of suffering and oppression made the promise of a new heaven and earth not just an abstract theological idea but a tangible hope for a future where God’s justice would reign and evil would be eradicated.

Digital artists today, much like the apostle John who recorded this vision, can use their art to portray the beauty and hope of God’s ultimate restoration. Digital works that depict God’s kingdom and His redemptive mission have the power to transcend cultural boundaries, much like the message of Revelation, which was written for believers scattered across the mediterranean world. In this missional context, digital art can communicate hope in a way that words alone cannot, creating visual narratives that invite others to experience God’s kingdom here and now, while anticipating its fullness in the future.

By equipping artists with a vision of God’s redemptive mission, this passage encourages them to view their work not just as a form of artistic expression but as a tool for spiritual transformation. Just as the imagery of a new heaven and earth communicated God’s victory over evil, so too can visual storytelling today act as a prophetic witness to the world, drawing people into the beauty and truth of the Gospel.

Applications for Missional Careers in Digital Media Arts

• Creating with Purpose
  Digital artists can be mentored to create works that challenge societal norms and elevate kingdom values, using their craft to inspire spiritual growth and action.
• Engaging Diverse Audiences
  Through digital media, artists have the opportunity to reach a global audience, sharing the message of God’s love across cultures and languages, creating opportunities for discipleship on a wide scale.

3. Innovating for the Kingdom

In the realm of Digital Information Technology, the mission of God extends into the digital world through creative innovation. Equipping IT professionals involves guiding them to apply their skills in ways that not only enhance technological systems but also reflect God’s mission of reconciliation and justice. The missional impact in this field becomes evident when IT solutions serve the greater good, whether through software that enhances ministry efforts, applications that promote equity, or digital platforms that spread the gospel.

Disciplemaking in this context is about nurturing IT professionals to see their work as a means of serving God’s purposes. Their technical skills can be leveraged to bring solutions to real-world problems while also reflecting biblical values such as justice, stewardship, and community. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2) illustrates how disciplemaking involves entrusting skills and knowledge to others so they can continue the work, which parallels the way IT professionals can mentor others in the field to use their craft for God’s glory.

Biblical Illustration
When Jesus speaks in Acts 1:8, He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, empowering His followers to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” The historical and cultural context of this passage is significant. At the time, the early church was composed of small, often marginalized groups within the Roman Empire. These followers of Jesus were not powerful or influential by the world’s standards. Yet, Jesus’ words to them were revolutionary: He was entrusting them with a global mission.

This promise of empowerment through the Holy Spirit is directly applicable to the realm of innovation and technology. IT professionals and digital innovators today, much like the early disciples, are given the tools and the mandate to carry the Gospel to places that were once inaccessible. In the same way that the apostles used the technology of their time—the letter, the scroll, the spoken word—modern IT solutions like social media, software, and apps become vehicles for mission, allowing the Gospel to reach even the remotest corners of the world. The missional impact here is seen in how technology can overcome geographical, cultural, and even social barriers to spread the message of God’s kingdom.

In this context, disciplemaking extends beyond simply developing technical skills—it involves mentoring IT professionals to see their work as part of God’s larger mission to redeem and restore creation. Just as the disciples were called to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, today’s technologists are called to leverage their craft for the expansion of God’s kingdom, using innovation as a tool to facilitate mission in new and exciting ways.

Applications for Missional Careers in Digital Information Technology

• Building Ethical Solutions
  IT professionals can be discipled to develop technology that promotes biblical values, such as fairness and integrity, while addressing social issues like poverty or injustice.
• Facilitating Global Outreach
  IT solutions, such as mobile apps or church management software, can be developed to aid in the global spread of the gospel, making it easier for churches and ministries to connect with believers worldwide.

4. Crafting Stories that Transform

Conclusion

Creatives in fields like communication, digital media, technology, film, and music are uniquely positioned to participate in God’s mission by using their talents as vessels of transformation. The biblical illustrations explored—such as Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus, the vision of a new heaven and earth, and the Prodigal Son—remind us of the power of story, art, and technology to engage hearts, challenge norms, and invite others into God’s redemptive plan. By equipping creatives to communicate with integrity, innovate for the kingdom, craft transformative stories, and foster worship that transcends cultural boundaries, we empower them to be agents of change in their spheres of influence. Ultimately, this process of discipleship not only impacts individuals but also strengthens the global body of Christ, bringing God’s truth, grace, and salvation to a world in need.

Curt Watke, PhD

Dr. Curt Watke is a distinguished missiologist whose three-plus-decade-long career has significantly impacted Christian mission work in North America, particularly in under-reached and challenging regions. Holding a Ph.D. in Evangelism and Missions, Dr. Watke has focused on bridging cultural gaps and fostering sustainable Christian communities by developing innovative strategies that address contemporary challenges like globalization, urbanization, and religious pluralism. His emphasis on cultural sensitivity and contextualization in mission work is reflected in his collaborative writings, including notable works such as “Ministry Context Exploration: Understanding North American Cultures” and “Starting Reproducing Congregations.” Beyond his writing, Dr. Watke is a sought-after speaker and educator, lecturing at seminaries and conferences worldwide, and his teachings continue to inspire and equip new generations of missional leaders. His enduring legacy is marked by unwavering dedication to the mission of God and a profound influence on missional thought and practice.  Dr. Watke serves as President and Professor of Evangelism & Missiology at Missional University.