Chalk Art Ministry Adds a New Dimension to an AIMS Conference in Ethiopia

AIMS News: Posted 1/1/2004

"Sarah" glided the chalk across the large sheet of paper hanging in front of the room. About 100 Ethiopian pastors and church leaders watched as she finished drawing a mountain scene with a waterfall. As she drew, Sarah explained how God's living water refreshes those who are thirsty for Him. Stepping back, she turned off the lights and switched on a black light. Hidden among the mountains and waterfalls, a new image appeared: Jesus with His arms stretched out, welcoming all who would come to Him.

An artist since she was a child, Sarah began sharing the Gospel through chalk art five years ago. In October, as an AIMS Associate, she joined the ministry team to Ethiopia. She traveled to Moyale with ìJosiahî and ìShaifî and reinforced the Harvest Connection seminar with what has become known as a "chalk talk."

Sarah asked their interpreter to write the names of the people groups on her tablet in Amharic. Then, she drew a hut-like church around each name, including a cross and flame on each. "This represented all of the people groups that have been harvested for Jesus return." When she turned the black light on, an invisible image of Jesus appeared, returning on a white horse to gather his church.

"Third world countries absolutely love it," said Sarah. "They are in awe that this image pops out of an area that is all white. Itís like magic."

While in Moyale, Sarah felt a burden to minister to the 20-30 women that attended the conference. She shared her testimony, how she began to minister with chalk art, and the special gifts that God has given each of them. Not everyone is an artist, Sarah explained, but everyone has a gift. She asked, "Did God gift you in prayer?"

The room exploded with crying and weeping. For the next hour, every woman prayed and interceded for the unreached people groups in Ethiopia and for the finances of the Ethiopian church. They concluded with a time of praise and worship.

As a result of the conference in Moyale, four informal partnerships were formed around Unreached People Groups. These partnerships will focus on prayer and research for these unreached groups in Ethiopia.

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