Graffiti is a common problem and civic nuisance in many cities, and many wonder if it has any merit at all.
Milton Coronado believes it does. “When you talk about grafitti, you always picture bad graffiti and gang graffiti—ugly graffiti—and the first thing you want to do is cover that up. Well, there’s a lot of interest with the youth that love graffiti and they want to do it. So find out what they like—in this case, graffiti—and turn it around into something positive; something that will lead them to Christ.”
Coronado is one of a group of Adventists who are learning how to use street art and other ministries for a positive impression in their community. “Impact St. Louis,” a youth-driven initiative to leave more than dollar bills in the hands of the city’s residents after visitors to the 58th General Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventists pack up and head home, aims to be this impact.
Coronado traveled from Chicago, Illinois, where he says graffiti is a big issue. He plans to start a similar ministry in his community. He and his colleagues even braved the rain to finish a mural for F.L.A.G. camp, another Impact St. Louis workshop ministering to kids at the Agape Adventist Church in University City, Missouri.
“I’ve been with Impact St. Louis only since this morning, and it’s been a blessing already,” said Veronyka Perez of Miami, Florida, one of the more than 175 young people from 15 countries that make up the Impact St. Louis team.
Richard Herard, volunteer photographer for the church in North America, was impressed by the initiative’s spirit. “These individuals are ambassadors to their community, ambassadors to the world. They’re taking our message and our way of life, and they’re the first face of Adventism that these people are going to see.”
All of Impact St. Louis’ workshops, which include a homeless ministry, health care programs, and music and puppet ministries, supported the St. Louis Adventist Expo and Praise Festival at the World’s Fair Pavilion in St. Louis’ Forest Park July 7. They added to the music and festivities coordinated by St. Louis area Adventist churches.
High-energy praise music, performances by local and Adventist musicians, such as Cynthia Winthrop, Roland Greshiem, the Cadet Sisters, and the urban hip hop sounds of Minister Fred, as well as drama, puppets, exhibits, talks from Jose Rojas, Adventist Volunteer Ministries Network, and James Black, youth director for the church in North America, and visits from local city officials highlighted the event. Coronado and the street art ministry created another graffiti mural on site as well.
One major project, which his expected to take one year to complete, is the creation of a paraphrase of the Bible. Visitors are invited to write a small portion of the Bible in their own words, one verse at a time.
“I thought this would be a good time to have Adventist ministry seen in the public eye,” explained Danise Taylor, Festival coordinator and member of the Agape Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Louis. She plans to make the St. Louis Adventist Expo and Praise Festival an annual event.
“No matter what we say and how we do it, what matters is how we are responding to the world itself,” says Ray Dabrowski, communication director for the Adventist world church. “When there is self-expression and art involved, that only speaks well for the church.”
“Impact St. Louis seeks to impact the person learning first,” said Cesar Gonzalez, young adult initiative coordinator for the church in North America. “Then we’ll not only have a greater impact on St. Louis, but also a ministry that we can take with us wherever we go.”
Dabrowski agrees. “When we are challenging ourselves to be more loving, we would expect that this would be seen and acted upon. It is not the statement that you express but, rather, that you would actually do something about it. Decisions, discussions, and action plans need to be reflected in the way that we conduct ourselves, in the quality of life that we share and not just talk about.”
“There has been a tremendous community response [to Impact St. Louis],” said Pastor Roger Wade, Impact St. Louis program coordinator. “One of the most important responses we’ve had was meeting and chatting with the homeless. They appreciate that we’ve taken the time to talk with them.”