Manifest guests on matching creative expression to God’s mission

Nathan Brown
Book editor
Signs Publishing Company

Dwain Esmond and Terry Benedict are guests of the Manifest Creative Arts Festival (March 20-23, 2013). They are attending the festival in their roles as vice-president for editorial services at Review and Herald Publishing Association and as founder and chief executive officer of The Shae Foundation. Dwain’s worked with the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Message and Insight magazines and written three young adult devotional books. Terry’s helped produce blockbusters (including The Terminator), TV commercials for major brands and, now, documentaries.

What does creativity mean to you?

Terry: Everything. It’s one of the essential ingredients for life. Without it, we die. Yet there seems to be this insatiable desire to cut it out of educational curriculum even when the science says otherwise. Even Albert Einstein credits his imagination for developing his complex theories.

Dwain: It’s the capacity to use one’s knowledge, experience and imagination to generate new ideas or solutions to problems.

What’s the most creative project on which you’ve worked?

Dwain: Making dinner for my family—what can I say, I’m a foodie. Now, back to the question. I’ve worked on redesigns for several publications at Review and Herald, and I’m now recasting the ministry of Insight—it’s bold.

Terry: To me, projects are not creative, people are. My goal is to use my artistic bent and create an interesting image even for the most boorish subject. There are no bad stories, only bad storytelling. Once, I had to find a way to film an old Underwood typewriter for a documentary and make it come alive as the metaphor for a deceased newspaperman. I spent five days filming the guts of that typewriter—the action of the gears, keys spanking the paper and the ink soaking into the textured paper. Anthony Hopkins provided the voiceover.

Where do you find inspiration for your own creativity?

Dwain: Much of my creativity comes from what I read in God’s Word. I focus on how God approaches challenges. Beyond the Word, I’m an observer. I find inspiration in the “soup” of everyday life.

Terry: From my Creator. It’s part of my faith walk. I have to trust He will deliver the inspiration needed.

What’s the most important element in turning good ideas into real-life creativity?

Terry: Making time. Life is filled with so many distractions, all in the name of multitasking. Creativity doesn’t like to be rushed. Good ideas usually come from a steady stream of cogitative thinking that help the ideas germinate and grow.

Dwain: There’s no shortage of good ideas. The difference between those whose ideas become successful and those whose ideas do not is hard work. If you believe in your idea, check it with God; if He green lights it, pursue it with all you’ve got.

Why is creativity important for the church?

Dwain: God gave us this capacity to develop new ways to introduce others to Jesus Christ. Creativity is at its best when it’s employed to God’s ends. When the church’s creativity is matched to God’s mission, we’re using it as God intended. We should never forget we were created for God’s glory.

Terry: We can only give honour and praise to our Creator through our God-given creative spirit. If we want to touch others, give hope and make a difference in the world, creative expression of truth unlocks the portal to our soul.

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