“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”
—Ecclesiastes 3

I recall recently hearing about how all the cells of the human body are replaced over time—giving rise to the lore that all cells are replaced in seven years. Though not completely true, the body does replace its cells every seven to fifteen years. It’s almost like a new person—a new you—is made in that time.

We, of course, remain ourselves, but most of the cells that made up “infant Kirk” are now long gone if the science is accurate. Currently, I am on the verge of my “golden years Kirk”. This gives new layers to passages, like in John 3 when Jesus says being “born again” is important, or in Romans when Paul mentions the “renewing of our minds” as well as going “from faith to faith”. Though not focused on physical changes a body goes through, these passages definitely address that change happens when we are in a transformative relationship with Jesus.

There are renewals happening for us right now in our ministry. We are calling them new “chapters”. For example:

• A few years back our friend, Stephen, launched his freelance career in illustration.
• Almost two years ago another friend, Daniel, moved his family into our community to continue his writing career after years in publishing.
• Sarah decided to dive into her painting full-time even as she continues in ministry.
• The local city government decided to sell the Gettys Art Center building out from under the artists after 30+ years.
• I just completed my first of three years for a Doctorate of Ministry degree at the local Gordon Conwell Seminary (more about this in a future newsletter)

These all represent a few of the many new “chapters” happening here in Rock Hill.

There is also something that seems to be happening culture wide that some Christian thinker/writers are describing as a “Quiet Awakening”. Some portions of the culture are turning toward God, or they are at least talking about Him—whether they believe in Him or not. For example the podcaster Joe Rogen is hosting more Christians on his show talking about Jesus and Christianity.

The atheist Richard Dawkins now describes himself as a “cultural Christian”. There are rumors of the Orthodox Church experiencing a large influx of young men into their communities. Recent statistics have indicated a shift of interest toward Christianity in the United Kingdom and the US. Even here in Rock Hill, a friend’s weekly Bible Study of young adults has seen a half dozen conversions in the last 12+ months. The term “Quiet Awakening” is being used because these examples aren’t intense like a wild fire, as you might think a revival would represent. They are more like a slow but significant burn like the coals of a banked fire.

This new cultural “chapter” has made us think about how this impacts the way we do arts ministry. We would appreciate prayers for wisdom and guidance from God. At the very least our eyes are more alert to seeing if and when we see more of this “awakening” here. It has also made us open to even more talk about God and the spiritual dimension of our lives with our fellow artists and friends.

“a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…a time to tear, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”
—Ecclesiastes 3

* written before the Charlie Kirk assassination

Blessings-