“Family Walk”

/ Fresh Oil Artists / By

What did Jesus mean when He said “have life to the full?”  “Life to the full” may bring  many different thoughts to each us.  And is a full life even possible, considering all the obstacles we experience?

By Barbara Bonnell, based on John 10:10 and Discovering God Through the Arts by Terry Glaspey.

Scripture:  John 10:10  “…I (Jesus) have come that they have life, and have it to the full.”

In this Scripture, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who watches, leads, and protects. So isn’t He talking about a life filled with His presence and leadership? A life filled with His Holy Spirit Who brings eternal meaning to our days and minds?

Terry Glaspey says in his book, Discovering God Through the Arts, that we should take more time to truly examine art pieces and fully contemplate their meaning. Paintings are visual to the eye, and a response is made by those viewing it. In some pictures the meaning can be quite clear, while in others, the individual’s own interpretation evokes the meaning.  In any case, Glaspey suggests that art is meant to inspire contemplation and a personal response from the viewer.

My painting probably brings up different thoughts to those viewing it, but my hope is that they see more than a family walking, because the painted figures are intended to represent people experiencing “life to the full.” They are peacefully bonded together as a family, yet each is walking as an individual person. With hearts full of faith and love, they have a rhythm to their walk, for their steps are purposeful and guided by the Lord Jesus Who leads them to His eternal home.

Life can bring many twists and turns including trials.  But we don’t face the trials alone, because our Shepherd Jesus doesn’t abandon us. He is always with us to intercede on our behalf. Hebrews 7:25 says: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we look to You each day for Godly guidance, it is a wonderful comfort and blessing to know that You came to earth to bring us “life to the full.”   When we are united to You, following You daily, our hearts trust, hope, and rejoice in praise for your faithful love and presence as the Good Shepherd.  We are so grateful that, when coming to You, no matter when in our life-time we do so, our sins can be forgiven and You open to us eternal life in Your Kingdom. Amen

Copyright © Barbara Bonnell, 2024

Art Medium: Watercolor and Acrylic

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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 founded Great Commission Artists and serves as its director in addition to directing   W.I.N.D. of the Spirit Ministries, the 501 (c) (3) umbrella ministry. 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 eleven exhibitions with multi-generational artist participation, including numerous high school students from local high schools. The last six 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 has served as a board director for the Minnesota Christian Writers Guild and 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.