Heart’s Melody

/ Fresh Oil Artists, Great Commission Artists / By

Artist: Barbara Bonnell.

Medium: Mixed Media.

Scripture: “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live:  I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”  Psalm 104:33.

Source of Inspiration: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

Reflection: In One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp writes about the abundant daily gifts in our lives that we hardly notice, much less appreciate, such as an unexpected courtesy, a delightful giggle from a child, or a beautiful sight we take for granted. Even if we are handicapped, the senses we do have can bring joy to our spirit.  

So often, as human beings, we focus on what isn’t right in our lives. Even as we live in this world filled with great trouble and sin, God has given us a wonderful, beautiful earth filled by His creative hand. In a poetic sense, we may see a leaf floating and twirling on the wind current; and, in a practical sense, we might notice the great variety of animals, birds and sea creatures, or appreciate the food we eat growing in its season as well as the seasons themselves.  And, of course, we give thanks for being miraculous human beings with all our complexities. 

One joyous gift the Lord has given us, whether we have the talent ourselves or appreciate it, is music.  This painting, “The Heart’s Melody,” features children singing. The painting shows a connection from the children to the notes above them. This portrays praise to God from their hearts and the centers of their being.  Ephesians 5:19-20 says:  “Speaking to yourselves in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  Whether we sing vocally or silently, let us praise Him from our heart, just as Psalm 104:33 says, as long as we live.

Prayer:  Lord, we praise you, thank you and are eternally grateful for the gifts you provide for us, especially the gift of grace given to us by Jesus Christ. Open our eyes to see more fully the greatness of yourself and the gifts of beauty found in our lives. May our hearts be truly united with you, singing melodies unto you in constant gratitude and praise.

Copyright © Barbara Bonnell

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Communications Advisor

Debbie Gustafson

Debbie Gustafson has been an active member and participating artist since the first Psalms Exhibit in 2012. Consistently, she has supported our events and exhibits with wisdom and excellence. Her wisdom and faithfulness to our vision prompted us to seek her support as a board member, and she graciously accepted although she also serves her church and community in a number of other roles, including arts and education. In addition, she is an original member of our blogging ministry that now comprises our “Fresh Oil” artists group.

Programs Advisor

Roberta Sawyer

Roberta (“Bobbie”) Sawyer describes herself as “a lifetime dabbler with a love of experimentation with learners young and old.” Currently an elder at Prairie Community Church in Eden Prairie, Bobbie has participated in numerous types of ministry. She has taught art seminars for children including her “Art in the Park” outdoor summer series, served as a scenarist for church skits, plays and musicals, led Bible study fellowships for 12 years, and created backdrops and props for Vacation Bible Schools. She has also served as a literacy tutor and office support staff for South Hennepin Adult Programs in Education. Also an original Great Commission Arts core group member, Bobbie co-coordinates the monthly Art Klatch painters fellowship group. As a board advisor, she contributes much prayer, a tenacious faith, and a love for people and artists of all definitions.
Outreach Advisor

Geraldine Antoinette Mehta

Geri Mehta has served in numerous ministry positions, which include teaching Sunday school at Way of the Cross church in Blaine, directing girls programs at Hospitality House in north Minneapolis, serving on the mission field in Guatemala and India, and co-leading a home church. She has also been active in community organizations such as Jaycees and Toastmasters.
Geri brings a clear sense of vision and discernment to the board, especially in the area of outreach. She has a passion for promoting the gospel with compassion, love, and respect. As a painter and original Great Commission Artists core group member, Geri has served GCA faithfully in numerous capacities. Her wisdom, like her art, inspires us to seek God’s heart in all things.
Pastoral Board Advisor

Reverend Roger Kuhn

Roger Kuhn has extensive ministry experience, including numerous pastoral positions in New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, and Minnesota. Most of his career he has served as lead pastor and has particularly enjoyed discipling new believers. Currently, Roger serves as the National Pastor of Member Care and the Director of Church Relations at International Ministerial Fellowship, the licensing organization for W.I.N.D. of the Spirit Ministries. Additionally, his pastoral responsibilities include all IMF Alliance Churches and 200 Lead Pastors. With deep faith and a thorough understanding of ministry, Roger provides pastoral supervision, support, and prayer for W.I.N.D. Ministries, including Great Commission Artists.
Founder & Director

Marianne McDonough

Licensed for ministry in the creative arts through International Ministerial Fellowship, Marianne McDonough serves as the director of W.I.N.D. of the Spirit Ministries and Great Commission Artists. Believing the arts have a unique capacity to exalt God and inspire His people, Marianne loves to encourage and mentor Christian artists toward the full expression of their gifts, especially in the context of worship. Marianne’s experience includes writing in secular and Christian venues, leadership in worship and dance ministries, teaching worship arts seminars for children, and sponsoring visual arts workshops and exhibits.

In 2010, she initiated “Art in the Beauty of Holiness” seminars, specifically designed for visual artists and subsequently produced in DVD format. After the formation of GCA and its core group in 2011, she produced four more DVDs featuring artists’ interviews and three other seminars: Worship in the Potter’s Hands, Waterfalls with Rev. Paul Oman, and Banners with Elsa Hammond. She also created a cable television presentation on art and worship. 

Starting in September of 2012, Marianne inaugurated the first Great Commission Artists Exhibition, “Psalms Exhibit and Creative Arts Celebration,” at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. This event included a juried exhibit, continuous original worship music provided by local composers, and dance presentations. Since then, as of spring of 2023, GCA has presented ten exhibitions with multi-generational artist participation, including numerous high school students from local high schools. The last five exhibitions have traveled for month-long display at Twin Cities’ churches.

Additionally, Marianne believes the Great Commission applies to all of the body of Christ, including artists of all definitions. Thus, she has guided Great Commission Artists to create a variety of teaching conferences and art-based community service projects including Kids Love, a popular Valentines day outreach to homeless children. Great Commission Artists is fulfilling its namesake mission to minister Christ to their world and glorify God.

With a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota, Marianne is an author and speaker. She also leads a Christian writers’ critique group. Her 2016 book, 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer, won the Midwest Book Awards in the health category. In 2018 she released Beating Cancer One Truth At A Time, another guide for newly diagnosed patients designed for individual or support group reflection.

Marianne enjoys writing in various genres and desires for writers to explore new ways to release their talents to exalt Christ. Her passion is to see God’s beauty revealed in all of the creative arts.