Tag Archives: Kingdom Arts Ministry

misson to England, Michael and Christine Hales, Bristol Blog

May Blossoms

May 18, 2015UncategorizedChristine Hales, Kingdom Arts Ministry, Kingdom School, Mick Hales, prayer, Saint Vincent's ChurchChristine Hales

Dear Friends and Family:

“Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements. Romans 13:9,10″

This spring we are reaching out into the community now that the grip of winter is over. Our monthly Artists + Friends Community Potluck Dinner has been growing in many ways. Each month we have 45-60 people coming to share a potluck meal and art work with each other. There are performers, visual artists, ceramicists, writers, poets , and we all gather to share our true selves with each other and celebrate what joins us together.

Michael and I also met with some of our former students from Kingdom School for dinner and prayer: 8 adults and 5 babies under the age of 3! So much fun!

The Icons for Saint Vincent’s Church are completed and will be dedicated on Pentecost! May 24th 11:00 am service you’re all invited! It will be an exciting moment to see them unveiled!

Michael is going through a period of intense discernment to see where the Lord is leading him next. He has been exploring the opportunity for further training in Chaplaincy and is applying to Albany Medical Center to join the excellent program they offer there for Chaplains. He is also exploring the Lutheran denomination to see whether the Lord has a place for him in that stream. In the mean time we are beginning to see that our role within the artist community is really laying a foundation for ministering to a group which has often rejected Christianity but are seriously searching for a fuller meaning to their creativity and life. God has extraordinary ways of weaving peoples lives together after long intervals of time, so we connect again in a different context for another opportunity to be in relationship. As we know God is all about relationships, with Him and with other people. We seem to be in a season of growing many new relationships and it is very life giving especially in the artist community.

We feel an excitement that God is forming a cohesive plan, we do not see it clearly yet but it is as though it is being created around us. The former students from Kingdom School are all on new and exciting paths, many of them are going through interior growing and healing. God has a plan and we are so excited to be just one part of what he is doing in the Hudson Valley. Please keep us in your prayers and let us know how we can pray for you.

Love, prayers, and blessings from us to you!

Christine and Michael

www.christinehales.com

www.mickhales.com

www.americanassociationoficonographers.com

www.newchristianicons.com

Videos in February

February 10, 2015UncategorizedChristine Hales, icons, Kingdom Arts Ministry, Mick Hales, prayerChristine Hales

Hello Friends and Family:

Where we live is reminiscent of Siberia now – snow lasting for days, a brief respite then starting up again. Snowfall is now measured in feet and icicles are measured the same. Single digit temperatures. All of you in South Africa or Southern states, bask in your warmth and pray for us!

But we hardy ones in the North are working indoors on computer based activities :). Michael has completed two neat videos. The first one is called “The Armour of God”, made with our friend Tyler Slade. Here’s the link:

Michael feels like he is getting called back to working with video for the Lord. Particularly using the visual image with scripture in a contemporary style. There are many people who have not read the bible and really have little chance of coming across God’s word in their lives. Somehow, we need to make it available to them in a way which is dynamic and memorable, but not diluted. The visual image is powerful, so combining it with the word of God can cut through the tendency to reject the Bible as irrelevant in todays world. For ‘the Armour of God’ video he feels like it is for intercessors, prayer warriors as well as those who have never heard of the passage from Ephesians before. It reminds us that we are in a battle all the time and we need to use the protection God has given us to declare who He is- Lord of this nation.

We ‘ve also just returned from an Immanuel Retreat in the Washington DC area, hosted by our friends the Stalcups from ANGA and the Acanforas at Church of the Apostles. It was called The Immanuel Approach. It was great and our friends George and Jane Conger prayed us back home through a snow storm! We are excited about what God is doing in the Baltimore and DC area and hope to go down there again soon.

My exhibition in Lancaster PA was fun -God is always showing me what comes next! I’m looking forward to the Icon Retreat in NYC later this month and the Hillsdale Icon class is going well- the Albany class hasn’t met for over a month due to snow cancellations!

The second Video Michael has made is for my Icon writing classes. Here’s the link for that one:

We so much appreciate your prayers. We particularly need prayers for finances, good sales and commissions for me and for Michael, and a church we can be planted in. Our ministry has three community outreaches this spring and summer and we are praying about offering a weekly course as well. Our monthly prayer group is a good prayer furnace and we lift all of you up in prayer, that God blesses you with more of His love and kindness and safety in travel.

Until next month,

with love and prayers,

Christine and Michael

Identity Issues -in January!!!

January 24, 2015UncategorizedFlannery O'Connor, Kingdom Arts Ministry, Mick Hales, Saint James Episcopal ChurchChristine Hales

Dear Friends and Family:

How are you? I am recovering from a virus, it has been utterly freezing for months, AND we had to cancel weekend plans due to…yes, more snow! Not fun, but probably wiser for me to stay home and recuperate :). AND future plan!

I’m planning on finishing the large Icon commission for Saint Vincent’s in April, God willing. Just about to get on the board – Dorothy Day. So looking forward to praying with and about her and the amazing woman of God she was. Just started teaching a new Icon writing class in Hillsdale, and will be leading an Introduction to Icon Writing Retreat at Saint James Episcopal Church in NYC in February. It got filled up in the first week of listing it!

So, working hard to get through the winter, God has blessed me with some lovely insights about who I REALLY am, and who He REALLY is. He is so good! Our identity is in Him, not our Self. Flannery O’Connor talks about the “True Self & The False Self”, “Thank You for changing me, Lord, enabling me to slough off the false self that prevents me from becoming a true follower.” From ” The Province of Joy-Praying with Flannery O’Connor.”

“I thank you for the continual opportunity for rebirth that you offer to me through the examples of Your Holy ones.

Even St. Paul, who counted himself among the gravest of sinners, was struck from his horse by the force of Your love and was taught through blindness to see the need for a radical remaking himself. So Saul became Paul through Your mercy.”

These quotes from O’Connor are so apt when praying about the world crises, about poverty, about the powers that govern this world, and about our own individual lives. We can pray that God gives us His insight, and opens our hearts to continual rebirth and the life that is the most exciting and satisfying in Him.

A couple of other events we would love your prayers to cover: The Artist Community Potluck Dinner we organized in Hudson at the First Presbyterian Church was very well attended. We continue this month on Feb. 27 and are following loosely the “Artist Way, Spiritual Guide to Creativity” by Julia Cameron. So far it has brought good people together and I’m hoping for some nice friendships and people getting closer to God’s creativity.

ALso, Michael is working on his new video- it’s under wraps but a hint is that it’s about Ephesians 6! So prayers are appreciated for that too:

Michael here: I just want to add that when God puts an unction on you to do something there goes with it an excitement to get it done, to be in the creative process of doing it. That is how it feels with this video. I am excited when I get some time to work on it, the fact that I am a beginner in the field of videography does not deter me because I believe God wants this video to go out and go viral. The bible talks of how news of Jesus went viral when he was ministering, the news went person to person through all the countryside so everyone in the community came to see him speak and heal. The news of Jesus and what he does is still catching when it is done in a real and exciting way. There is nothing more exciting than watch God heal someone and that news travels fast and far, even now. This video is not directly about healing but it about being on God’s side and being equipped to stay in the fight. Because we are in a fight but God has given us the equipment to come through and complete the purposes He has for us. This nation has so much at stake at the moment we all need to have on the ‘Whole Armour of God’.

We love you all so much and always look forward to your emails and comments. Let us know how we can pray for you.

Love and Prayers,

Christine and Michael

October Blessings

October 12, 2014UncategorizedChristine Hales, Global Transformation, Kingdom Arts Ministry, Mick Hales, propheticChristine Hales

Dear Friends and Family:

The beauty of a Hudson Valley fall is upon us! And with that, so many artful things to do that we keep hopping from one opening to another. Yesterday was Arts walk with my new Ezekiel making it’s debut on Warren Street. The link to my arts/Icon blog is here for more of my art information.

We have been praying for peace in Syria and the Ukraine, asking God to dispatch His angels to protect the innocent and bring miracles to His people.

In Icon class last week, we read of the Celtic Saint Connaire the Pious who, while she was praying, all the churches in Ireland appeared to her in a vision. It seemed that a tower of fire rose up to heaven from each side of those churches. There’s more to her story, particularly about her petitioning for a women’s right to a Holy burial to St Senan.

“You are persistent said Senan.”

“Well then,Cannaire replied,”Will I get what I asked for? Will you give me a place to live on this island and the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist?” HIs answer was yes! She wasn’t afraid to petition with persistence and that is what we are doing now for the middle East. Petitioning persistently with prayer. (The Connaire story comes from the Celtic daily Prayer Book put out bu the Northumbria Community.)

Michael has been visiting many churches and praying with Pastors in our area. He is seeing more and more pastors and leaders being repositioned, moving from one situation or church to start something new, often not knowing what is next but believing that God has called them out of where they had been. He has also discerned that the governance nature of Albany as Capital of New York state, has many feeder influences from other constituents which do not want there to be a spiritual change in Albany which requires a different form of intercession. We are praying into having a local prayer community in addition to the outreach we do in Albany. We plan to launch a prayer gathering in November and another one in January . We very much appreciate your prayers for God’s wisdom and guidance.

God has been blessing us both with many new friendships and opportunities to meet people who are not churched. That is where we feel led, to use the Celtic model of Evangelization that calls for formation of relationships and friendships first. It is wonderful and we are kept pretty busy with it all

I was blessed to present my drawings for the eight large icons for Saint Vincent’s Church in Albany today. They are going to be a beautiful blend of old and new. So excited to begin the painting now! Please do keep us in your prayers -we can feel them and you are in ours!

Love,

Michael and Christine

“He walks with God who speaks to God in prayer,

and brings to Him his daily care.”

www.mickhales.com

www.christinehales.com

www.iconwritingclasses.com

www.newchristianicons.com

www.newchristiaiconsblog.com

September News!

September 1, 2014UncategorizedChristine Hales, church, Global Awakening, icons, Kingdom Arts Ministry, Kingdom School, propheticChristine Hales

Dear Friends and Family:

Such a beautiful summer and so much to be thankful for. We hope that you are all looking forward to fall and the new season. Michael preached yesterday at West Hoosick Baptist Church and we were blessed to minister to the people there. Here are two links to sermon excerpts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL65r75seBE&feature=em-upload_owner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKJXcImspl0&feature=em-upload_owner

I had some trouble with the sound, sorry. I need to improve my video skills :).

Kingdom Arts Ministry’s School, “Fired Up” has extended its Fall deadline to Wed, September 10. Email Michael Hales for an application form: mhales@halesart.com

Fired Up is a high energy, hands on training school that supports people and local churches by training adults, aged 18 and older who are passionate about pursuing their God given destiny. Students will attend three away conferences to facilitate their ability to step out, have hands on training, take risks and experience ministries that promote a culture of love, faith and honor.

Many Christians ask, ‘Is there More?’ Well we know there is always more when you pursue Jesus with a hunger. He responds with more revelation of who He is and where He wants to go with you. The Fired Up course is an experience of pursuing Jesus and the gift that He has given us, The Holy Spirit. Many Christians are unable to say what the Holy Spirit is let alone give you a personal account of being touched by it. This course is designed to give people an awakening into the nature of the Holy Spirit. If you are hungry for that in your life then this is for you no matter what denomination or church you go to. You will have a life changing experience and start on the road to your God given destiny.

If you have questions call Michael Hales on 518 672 0014 or send an e mail.

For information on Christine’s Healing Icon Retreat in Saratoga Springs, October 25 &26, email Catherine Lanci at: nurselanci@hotmail.com

If you’d like to donate to our scholarship fund for students who want to take the school but can’t afford it, send checks to: Kingdom Arts Ministry, PO Box 927, Philmont, NY 12565

Kingdom Arts Ministry is a registered 501-c3 non profit.

Blessings and love,

Michael and Christine Hales

http://www.newchristianicons.com

http://www.mickhales.com

Easter!!

April 14, 2014UncategorizedColumbia County Arts Council, Global Awakening, Kingdom Arts Ministry, Larry RandolphChristine Hales

Happy Easter!

For most of us, this is our most exciting holiday. and we look forward to it at the end of a long grizzly winter! The warm temperatures of this last weekend increase our hope that indeed Sunday is coming!

We had an inspiring and rejuvenating time at Global Awakening’s Voice of the Prophets Conference in Lancaster, Pa two weeks ago. We went with four of our current Kingdom School students and met three students from last year, plus a Kingdom School friend. We had an amazing time. See below for Larry Randolph’s prophetic word for 1014.

I’ve had a busy time with teaching and organizing the “Faces” exhibition in partnership with the Columbia County Arts Council and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. The opining reception was last Saturday and it was very well attended. I enjoyed working with the other artists : Gretchen kelly, Cynthia Mulvaney, Barbara Willner, Laura Summer, and the writers, Irene Mitchell, and Ifetayo- see below. Beautiful women in every way!

I also gave a talk last Saturday at a luncheon to benefit three churches in Coxsackie. Busy day! Michael’s going to be preaching at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Colonie, NY on April 27th, and also up at Manlius Methodist Church in Syracuse on Saturday and Sunday May 17 & 18. He had gone down to Baltimore earlier this month to meet and minister with Rodney Howard Brown and his team of street ministers.

As we head into Easter week, I want to bless you with a blessing from Arthur Burk’s book called “Blessing Your Spirit”: “I bless you with faith that has been tested and proved genuine. I bless you with seeing the joy on the other side of all kinds of trials. I bless you with faith that is strong and pure like gold. I bless you with knowing how precious your faith is to God, more precious than gold….”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

We send you our love and thanks for all the ways you support our ministry. Have a hope filled and wonder filled Easter,

Love,

Christine and Michael

October Pumpkin Time!

October 23, 2013UncategorizedArise Bristol, burning hearts, Christine Hales, Kingdom Arts Ministry, Michael Hales, Mick Hales, mission, prayer, Prophetic art, RevivalChristine Hales

“I love the Lord, because He hears and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalm 116:1-2

Hello Friends and Family:

Just as October draws to a close, our Kingdom School students are preparing to travel to Baltimore for on site street ministry training from the amazing Burning Heart Ministry with Jay Baylor. Michael will be leading two of our second year students and four first year interns with a very full schedule of ministering to the poor and taking the Gospel to the streets in Baltimore, MD. We fully expect miracles to take place, so more on that next blog!

Kingdom School is going well, with merging second and first year students for many of the teachings, but each year having a separate curriculum and reading list. Only God could have orchestrated this combination but we are gratefully enjoying the interactions of our new group. Great people, all in Love with Jesus!

My iconography teaching is going well – loving the students and the devotion to prayer and sharing the Presence of God in icons. We have now formed the St. Luke’s Guild of Iconography with a FB page and lots of great photos of icons in progress. We are an ecumenical group of artist who share a similar vision for God’s Kingdom and how icons play a part in experiencing and bringing the Presence of God into our daily lives.

I’ve been blessed with the honor of having the Catholic Missal publication for 2014 using my Christ in Glory Icon. Michael has had an article recently in New York Cottage and Garden Magazine and we are having fun getting our images out into the world. Seed! Because God is in everything we do and we want more and more people to receive Him through images. The stealth method of Evangelization!

Second year students have just finished reading Danny Silk’s “Culture of Honor”and it is a must read, having to do with creating a culture amongst ourselves that allows us to make mistakes, repent and stay in relationship to God and each other. “Remember, the Old Covenant was an external covenant, a system of controls to keep sinners in line. But the New Covenant is an internal covenant for sons and daughters who, because of their new nature, can be trusted with the responsibility to govern themselves and have access to the power of self control through the Holy Spirit”. Isn’t that good? There’s so much more worth sharing – I hope you can get a copy of the book, too.

Our prayer requests for this season are: For more good clients for Michael’s Photography, for good galleries to represent and sell my paintings, and for our Kingdom Community to flourish, grow and multiply. We pray for wisdom to take all the steps God wants us to take to further His Kingdom in the realms He has placed before us.

Please pray especially for our team going to Baltimore, that they experience God’s Holy Spirit healing people today and that they bring that with them wherever they go!

We earnestly desire contact with each one of you, so please keep in touch and know that you are in our prayers, also.

Much love,

Christine and Michael