Unexpected Blessings

by Micah Ray

Coming off a great first night of a workshop series, we didn't think it could get much better. But it did.

Earlier this year, Phil Stone, Dir of Sunday School for the State Convention, asked me to accompany him to Student Life in Birmingham, AL, to help him review their new adult curriculum that they are about to launch, Life Bible Study. I thought it would be an opportunity to see another publisher and to help Phil, so I agreed. I really had no idea what to expect.

Little did I know the blessing that was waiting for me.

Just last week, Phil let me know that he would not be able to go. I asked if James could go in his place, and Phil and Kasey from Clarity Publishers said yes. The first part of the event would be an introduction of the new curriculum, and the second day would be training that would qualify us to train churches who adopt the new curriculum. That was all the info that I had.


Just minutes into the presentations, I knew there was something special going on here. Something special about this organization and its people -- and something special about this moment in time that God had orchestrated for me. As I learned more about Student Life and Clarity Publishers, I saw all of my vision for what Center Cross Creative could be. It was uncanny.

Since the beginning in July 2005, James and I had brainstormed what CCC might be and do in the future. In more recent months, we had talked about adding other facets to the ministry like drama and video productions. Right here in front of us, we saw an organization doing what we've always envisioned doing (except for youth camps -- we had always talked about retreats for adult leaders). I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.

I heard the heart of their president, Randy Hall, and it sounded just like the conversations James and I have had. I watched their drama team perform, and I imagined writing and directing those sorts of productions of our own. I saw a video production based on the Woman at the Well from John 4, and I cried. I was moved by their central philosophy which has always been my own: that the Word of God is central to what we teach and write. We are passionate about it and now we were seeing another organization that shared that same passion. It was overwhelming.

As I met more of the people and toured the facilities, I only saw more evidence that this was my kind of place. From the graphic design work to the relaxed and team-oriented atmosphere to the presence of Mac's everywhere (!), it looked just like I had envisioned CCC might look one day. (Later, I learned from one of their directors, who was watching me journal in my Moleskine sketchbook, that it is the notebook of choice for many of their employees. Excellent.)

Needless to say, God took me to Birmingham, AL, for an assignment I didn't ask for. And it was there that He spoke to me and showed how important this work is -- to teach the Word so that lives might be changed. It was a blessing that I never expected. God is so good!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20, 21)