April
April 1
1976 - Art to Heart for Furman University's FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). Have done Art to Heart a lot over the years for Furman's FCA, usually in the student center amphitheater or lounge. This one was at the home of John West. John was the athletic director and FCA sponsor at Furman, a great friend, and an incredible partner in our college ministry at Taylors First Baptist Church when I served there. He and Charlotte amazingly hosted maybe 150-200 college students in their home every week for FCA meetings. Probably only time we've ever done Art to Heart in someone's house.
1982 - One of many Art to Heart presentations for BSU (Baptist Student Union) at Winthrop College/University in Rock Hill, SC. Thank you again, Bob Porterfield and Dena Lucy.
1984 - Sunday evening Art to Heart as part of leading Sunday through Thursday revival services April 1-5 at Woodburn Baptist Church in Bowling Green, KY.
1988 - Friday evening Art to Heart at Westside Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC. Thank you, Frank Keels.
1990 - Sunday evening Art to Heart as part of leading Sunday through Wednesday "Here's Hope" revival services April 1-4 at Ashley River Baptist Church in Charleston, SC. Thank you, Ed Carney.
1992 - Wednesday evening Art to Heart as part of leading revival services March 29-April 1 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Florence, SC.
1994 - Did Art to Heart as part of leading Sonrise student conference April 1-2 for SBC Home Mission Board at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, NC. Thank you, Dean Finley.
2015 - Art to Heart for Wednesday evening Easter service at First Baptist Church in Laurens, SC.
April 2
1975 - Maybe the most life altering Art to Heart I've ever done. As our senior year at Furman was wrapping up, good friend Mike Catlett, who was working part-time at Taylors First Baptist Church with the junior high, told me that I was going to be invited to do the program for the TFBC Wednesday night senior high youth meeting. He suggested that I do a chalk drawing, and then off the record added that if everything went well they were going to offer me the interim senior high youth ministry job for the summer. I attended Taylors First Baptist Church while at Furman and knew it was a great church. I had even told people that my dream job was to be the youth minister at a church like First Baptist Spartanburg (my home church) or Taylors First Baptist Church. The dream was for that to happen after seminary and gaining experience somewhere else first. As exciting as this possibility was, I questioned whether or not I should do a chalk drawing. I told Mike I didn't want to give the impression that I could do a chalk drawing every Wednesday night. He understood but still encouraged me to do Art to Heart (wasn't calling it that back then). I honestly don't remember much about that night, but it must have gone OK. Minister of Education Phil Hargrove was there for my "audition" and invited me to come back for an interview. Along with Phil and Pastor Ernest Carswell soon became two of the best bosses I could have asked for. The summer turned into five incredible years and helped prepare me for everything that has followed. Oh, and also present that night was a wonderful young lady named Kathy Williams. She's been present for quite a few Art to Heart presentations since then.
1986 - Sunday evening Art to Heart at Temple Baptist Church in Abbeville, SC. Thank you, Scott McClellan. Scott also holds a special place in our Art to Heart history. When I pulled the notorious all-nighter putting everything together for our first "emergency" Kentucky mission trip chalk drawing, Scott helped me record our first ever chalk drawing soundtrack. I played guitar and Scott thankfully joined me on vocals since he is a far better singer than me.
1989 - Sunday evening Art to Heart at First Baptist Church in Ridgeland, SC. Also preached there that morning. Thank you, David Newton and Ward Carver.
April 3
1977 - Art to Heart for "College Lunch" at Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC. When I was minister of youth at TFBC my responsibilities included college ministry. A big part of that ministry was "College Lunch." Every Sunday after the worship service we served dinner to usually 200-350 college students mainly from Furman University followed by a program. During my five years of heading up College Lunch (along with Furman Athletic Director John West) I remember a lot of great speakers, musicians, and other programs. But I have no recollection of me doing this chalk drawing. I sure hope others found it more memorable.
April 4
1982 - Sunday evening Art to Heart as part of leading Sunday through Wednesday revival services April 4-7 at Enoree Baptist Church in Travelers Rest, SC. Music was led for the week by Tony Beam, who also played (I think) trumpet. No (literal) walls fell. Thank you, John Dill and Steve Crouse.
1990 - Wednesday evening Art to Heart as part of leading Sunday through Wednesday "Here's Hope" revival services April 1-4 at Ashley River Baptist Church in Charleston, SC. Thank you, Ed Carney. I first met Ed and we became good friends when we roomed together the first year I was on staff for the "South Carolina Baptist (summer) State Youth Conference," that would later become a big part of my life for many years. Shortly after this revival, after the retirement of Jack Ellenburg, I recommended Ed to the pastor search committee at Riverland Hills Baptist Church where we were members. He was called and I looked forward to having him as my pastor. By the time he started, we had made the decision to move to Spartanburg. We missed the first couple of months of his pastorate because of directing the conference where we first met and other ministry engagements. We finally got to attend RHBC for one Sunday near the end of the summer before moving. It was good to have Ed as our pastor for a morning.
April 5
1975 - Did Art to Heart as part of leading youth retreat April 4-6 at Springmaid Beach in Myrtle Beach for Kilbourne Park Baptist Church of Columbia, SC.
1981 - Did Art to Heart at 8:30 am and 11:00 am Sunday services as part of leading Sunday through Wednesday revival services April 5-8 at First Baptist Church in Lugoff, SC. One of my best memories of this week was going back to pastor David Robinson's house each night after the service for "snacks." One night the snacks were the hottest wings I've ever eaten. I remember sitting in his den and laughing at each other because of how bad we each were sweating. Thank you, Dave. You are missed.
1980 - Our first Art to Heart after "Bill Cox Abundant Life Ministries" (now dba Concoxions) became our full-time ministry was for the Easter Sunday night service at Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC. My last day as minister of youth at TFBC was six days earlier. Thank you, Ernest Carswell, Phil Hargrove, Lindsay O'Rear and so many others at TFBC for more than I can say.
1984 - Thursday evening Art to Heart as part of leading Sunday through Thursday revival services April 1-5 at Woodburn Baptist Church in Bowling Green, KY.
1987 - Sunday evening Art to Heart as part of leading weekend ministry April 3-5 at Tulip Grove Baptist Church in Old Hickory (Nashville area), TN. Thank you, Ken Clayton.
1997 - Did Art to Heart as part of Concoxions' BeachBall spring conference April 4- 6 at Chapel by the Sea in Garden City, SC. Music was led by Mike and Kim Blackwood. Thank you to David Welch, then Chapel by the Sea Director, for doing so much to make BeachBall possible. We did BeachBall and BeachBall in the Fall at Garden City for a couple of years until we started doing Seesalt summer student conferences in Myrtle Beach in 1998. Thought it might be too much to do spring, summer, and fall student conferences all in Myrtle Beach.
