Imago Dei Arts is BBI’s signature art ministry program. Our vision is to strategically tap into God’s gift of the language of creativity to address critical needs in the church and create bridges that reach society at large for Christ. In doing so, we resource, equip, and minister to Christian artists, art organizers, and thought leaders as they strive to live out their callings.
Imago Dei Arts is multifaceted, including retreats, camps, traveling exhibitions, monthly zoom gatherings featuring special guest speakers, a year-round mentoring program, European Leadership Forum (ELF), and more. Each year, we host twice-annual retreats for our network of artists in all three Baltic countries, called imagiNATIONS.
Since 2017, we’ve led the Artists Network at ELF in Wisla, Poland each May. As a natural outgrowth of ELF and our established artist network in Latvia, we have furthered the reach of our ministry to artists by hosting monthly Zoom Gatherings with special guest speakers. This year, we spearheaded a Year-Round Artists Mentoring program, consisting of 14 European leadership-minded, qualified, and motivated individuals with a passion to use the arts for God’s glory and the good of society.
Coming soon… The Secret Double Exhibition
Our traveling exhibition entitled Secret Double, which brings together Christian and non-Christian Baltic artists to speak hope and healing into the topic of depression has visited 8 European cities, Oregon State University, and will open at Wheaton College on March 14. Check back for more updates on this exciting event!
Charles Kelley, a Latvian-American, is the Founder and President of Bridge Builders International. He has served in pastoral and intercultural ministry since 1973. He also paints and plays piano.
