JUNE

Throughout this 50th year, I've posted Art to Heart related events on the dates they happened based on what I've been able to piece together from 49 years of incomplete calendar entries and even more incomplete memories. Art to Heart is only one of many things we've been doing during these years so how often I did them varied. I hope you'll enjoy this look back on some wonderful (and often humorous) times of ministry through the media of chalk, sounds, and lights.

June 19

1974 - HOW IT BEGAN: George Schrieffer was our minister of education at Spartanburg First Baptist Church and an incredible chalk artist. Each summer for many years, minister of youth Bobby Haley would lead our youth group on a annual week-long mission trip to the Appalachian area of Kentucky. George would come up about mid-week and do chalk drawings at each of the 12 churches where we were conducting Vacation Bible School type ministry. On Wednesday of this year right before he was to hit the road, George got word that his aunt had died and he would need to go to Chicago for the funeral.

We had been building up the chalk drawings to the children all week, and I told Bobby (I was in my second year of working as his summer assistant) my concerns that the kids were going to be disappointed and maybe even think we had been leading them on with the promise of something special at the end of the week. I suggested that I could fill in for George to lessen those concerns. Bobby said "But you've never done a chalk talk (as we called them back then)." My response: "I know, but I've seen George do them several times. It wouldn't be anywhere near as good as George's, but hopefully I could do enough to at least keep the kids from being as disappointed." Bobby's response to my response: "You get it together and let me see it; then we'll talk about it."

I took that as a challenge and stayed up most of the night putting together what I thought I would need. I recorded a soundtrack of mainly cross-related hymns on a cassette recorder with me playing guitar and singing along with the help of one or two better singing friends. I got a big piece of cardboard to mount on an easel, found a roll of paper table cloth material to draw on, and bought cheap Crayola chalk at some store. But I still needed a light source - because that's how George did it. We were staying at Union College environmental center, which had an AV department, but it was closed for the summer. Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. I got a ladder, popped out a couple of ceiling tiles and went over the wall into the AV room where I found a projector. (Don't try this at home.) When I first told Kathy this story, she said "You did your first chalk drawings with a stolen projector?" Not "stolen" - "borrowed." I put it back unharmed at the end of the week. I didn't have a color wheel like George had, but in our VBS craft supplies I found pieces of colored cellophane that I taped to a cardboard frame to make a big color strip that I could move across the lens of the borrowed projector to make the drawing change colors at the end.

I was ready for my "audition" with Bobby first thing in the morning. But since that was the morning of June 20, we'll continue tomorrow...

1982 - Not sure if it was this exact date, but as camp pastor for Centrifuge youth camps, I did our "Crossroads" chalk drawing each week for ten weeks. This date was during week three. I also did our 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production "One More Chance" on another night and preached the other 4 nights.

June 20

1974 - (Continued from yesterday) After staying up most of Wednesday night putting together an impromptu setup in the hope of filling in for George Schrieffer, I had my early morning "audition" for a skeptical Bobby Haley. After seeing my first ever attempt at a chalk drawing, Bobby grinned, shook his head and said "I don't believe it - let's do it." I packed up what I needed in a white station wagon we had available and did chalk drawings that day at five different churches across Bell County Kentucky where our youth group was doing VBS type mission work. My drawings were no where as good as George's, but the kids still seemed to love it, and God used it. I would continue drawing the next day.

1977 - I did a lot of chalk drawings during the five years that I was minister to youth at Taylors First Baptist Church. Our senior high / college beach ministry trip was June 20-24 that year, so there's a decent chance I did a chalk drawing sometime during this week.

June 21

1974 - After doing my first six chalk drawings (including my "audition") the day before, did chalk drawings at five more churches on this day as part of our Spartanburg First Baptist Church youth mission trip in Bell County Kentucky. The one that stands out in my mind was at a church (Ferndale?) with no air conditioning (not uncommon) that was packed tight with kids on an extremely hot day. I was also drawing in front of the hot light from my "borrowed" projector. As sweat was pouring down my face, I periodically tried blowing it off my upper lip to keep it from going into my mouth. At one point I accidentally blew some sweat onto the drawing. I was already about to pass out from the heat when a little boy sitting near the front jumped up and yelled "He spit on his picture! Why did he spit on his picture." He continued to ask in a loud voice "Did you see him spit on his picture... why did he do that? ... why did he spit on his picture?..." My chalk drawing career nearly came to an end on that second day.

1991 - After finishing up another week of Summersalt youth camp that afternoon, we dashed off to Kings Mountain to do a Friday evening Art to Heart for Rock Springs Baptist Church camp. I believe it was in an outdoor covered pavilion. Thank you, Wayne Holcombe.

June 23

1980 - As camp pastor for the SC Baptist Convention state youth conference at White Oak Conference Center, I did a chalk drawing each week, but not sure which day. Week Two was June 23- 27. Thank you Al Price for the invitation - and so much more.

1985 - Did Sunday evening chalk drawing as part of leading Sunday morning through Wednesday night revival at Golden Springs Baptist Church in Anniston, AL June 23-26. Thank you Dunaway Conner.

June 24

1990 - Sandwiched between two weeks of Summersalt summer student conferences and after preaching that morning at Riversland Hills Baptist Church in Columbia, we did a Sunday evening Art to Heart at First Baptist Church in Lancaster, SC. Thank you, Tom Capps.

1998 - We did our lighthouse and ship at sea chalk drawing (went by various names) as part of (probably) the Wednesday evening service of our first week of first year of Seesalt summer student conferences at Fantasy Harbour's Savoy Theater in Myrtle Beach where we were also doing "A Peace of 72" throughout the summer. One of the most exhausting weeks of my life.

June 25

1983 - As camp pastor for our second year of Centrifuge youth camps, I did our "This Little Child" Art to Heart each week for ten weeks. (Did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production another night and preached the other 4 nights.) This was week 4.

1984 - As Centrifuge camp pastor and camp director I did a lighthouse/ship at sea Art to Heart each week. (Did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production another night, a musical I wrote another night, and preached the other nights.) Also wrote my first camp theme song for this summer. This was week 3.

2019 - Did "Crossroads" Art to Heart each Tuesday night of this year of Seesalt summer student conferences. Theme was "The Big Picture: Heroes and Villains." Drawing followed a superhero spoof called "The Evangers." This was week 2 at Coastal Carolina University.

2023 - Art to Heart at Broadacres Baptist Church in Cayce (Columbia) Thank you, Jasmine Lee and Shane McDaniel. First time for two of our grandsons to see Art to Heart (they also helped set up and tear down). A lot of friends came from near and far.

June 26

1978 - Did Art to Heart for SC Baptist Convention State Youth Conference at Anderson College (now University). The conference was Monday through Friday Jun 26-30 and I have no idea which night of this week we actually did Art to Heart, but remember it being a great week. Thank you, Al Price.

1982 - As camp pastor for Centrifuge youth camps, I did our "Crossroads" chalk drawing each week for ten weeks. This date was during week four. I also did our 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production "One More Chance" on another night and preached the other 4 nights. Thank you, Don Mattingly.

1985 - Did Art to Heart Sunday and Wednesday nights as part of leading revival services at Golden Springs Baptist Church in Anniston, AL June 23-26. Thank you Dunaway Conner.

June 28

1987 - Either a Sunday morning or Sunday evening Art to Heart at Beaumont Baptist Church in Spartanburg SC in between weeks of Summersalt summer student conferences. Thank you, David Swofford.

June 29

1985 - Did Art to Heart as part of Regal Ventures Kingdom '85 Conference June 28-30 at Orlando Convention Center, Orlando FL. On Saturday night we were on immediately before headlining group "Whiteheart," which was one of the top Christian bands in the world at the time. After they set up and did a sound check, we set up in front of them. With the help of a lot of stage hands, we had to get all of our equipment off stage after the drawing in the time it took for the emcee to thank us and introduce Whiteheart. We've long traveled with our own high quality sound system, but Whiteheart invited us to run all of our sound through their massive system. In these 50 years, that was probably the most powerful our soundtrack has ever sounded. Thank you, Reg Alexander.

1986 - Sunday evening chalk drawing as part of leading youth revival June 29 - July 1 at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church in Hermitage TN. Came immediately after a month of leading first training camp and first three weeks of SC Baptist State Youth Conference at White Oak Conference Center. We led several youth revivals in the Nashville area around this time and I think this one was the one we led for Richard Ross, who at the time was also heading up youth ministry for the then Baptist Sunday School Board. Throughout my whole time in student ministry, Richard has been one of the guys I (and many others) have most respected. Every time I've been with him, I've learned something. Thank you Richard for this opportunity (at Hermitage Hills or wherever it was) but even more so for the incredible impact you continue to have on youth ministry throughout the world.

2010 - Did a chalk drawing on Tuesday night each week this summer at Seesalt summer student conferences as part of our theme "The Big Picture 3D." This date would have been during week 3, which was Seesalt And Missions week at Coastal Carolina University.

June 1

1980 - Sunday evening Art to Heart as a part of leading Sunday through Wednesday Crusade services at Cross Roads Baptist church. "Which Cross Roads Baptist Church in what city and state?" you might ask. “I’m not sure,” I might (and did) answer.

June 4

1980 - Wednesday evening Art to Heart for concluding night of leading Crusade services at Crossroads Baptist Church.

1983 - Was camp pastor for Centrifuge youth camps and did "This Little Child” Art to Heart each week throughout the summer, but not sure which night of the week. Did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production another night, and preached the other 4 nights. This was week 1 of 10. Thank you, Don Mattingly.

June 5

1979 - Tuesday morning Art to Heart at Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC for third through fifth graders. I’m assuming this was a part of Vacation Bible School.

1982 - “Crossroads” Art to Heart for Centrifuge youth camp. I was camp pastor / camp director for three summers of Centrifuge and did a chalk drawing each week (a different one each summer). Also each week did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production and preached the other 4 nights. This was 1982 week 1. Thank you, Don Mattingly.

2001 - Art to Heart as part of "The Big Picture” theme at Concoxions Seesalt summer student conference at Coastal Carolina University near Myrtle Beah, SC. This was week 1.

June 6

2021 - Because of COVID, this Sunday morning service at Nazareth United Methodist Church in Leesville, SC was the first Art to Heart we had done since February 16, 2020 - by far the longest period of time we have ever gone without doing Art to Heart since we started. We set up on Saturday afternoon, and after making many trips through the sanctuary front door, we discovered a large snake that had been coiled up in the wreath on that door the whole time we were loading in. Was great to get back to doing Art to Heart after the historic long layoff. Thank you, Ken Freeman.

June 8

1980 - Art to Heart as part of leading retreat June 8-11 at Chapel by the Sea in Garden City Beach, SC for Lugoff First Baptist of Lugoff, SC.

2010 - Art to Heart as part of “The Big Picture 3D” theme for Seesalt summer student conferences. This was week 1 at Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC.

June 9

2022 - Thursday evening Art to Heart for Vacation Bible School family night at First Baptist Church in Swainsboro, GA. Thank you, Matt Jarrell - for this invitation and a whole lot more.

June 11

1983 - As camp pastor I did "This Little Child” Art to Heart for each week of Centrifuge summer youth camps sponsored by the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board Recreation Department. Not sure which night of each week I did Art to Heart. Also did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production another night and preached the other 4 nights. This was week 2. Thank you, Don Mattingly.

1984 - As camp pastor (and camp director) I did a lighthouse/ship at sea Art to Heart for each week of Centrifuge during this summer, but not sure which night of the week. Also did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production another night, a musical I wrote another night, and preached the other nights. Also wrote my first camp theme song (“Getting Signals Straight”) for this summer. This was week 1. Thanks again, Don.

2023 - Did a very special Sunday evening Art to Heart at New Heights Church in Middlesboro, KY in the Appalachian area where I started doing chalk drawings 50 years ago. This church was planted as an extension of Bobby Haley’s mission work in the area. Bobby is who I was serving under when I started doing chalk drawings. Was privileged to work with the mission team of Northside Baptist Church of Lexington, SC. Bobby’s son Jeff and all of his family continue to do mission work in Bell County with Northside. Jeff was my first contact about kicking off our 50th year of Art to Heart in Bell County, and all the details were worked out by Jim Harris of Northside and Jonathan Neely of New Heights. Jeff and others of his family originally weren’t going to be there due to his daughter’s wedding the next weekend, but they all ended up coming to be a part of this special Art to Heart. It was a special night in many ways. Also had the privilege preaching at New Heights that morning. As I write this, Northside is doing mission work this week with New Heights and other churches in the area. The mission continues. Thank you Jeff, Jim, Jonathan, Haley family, and all of the Northside mission team for allowing us the privilege of serving alongside of you in such a special, meaningful way.

June 12

1979 - "A2H @ Colonial Court" is all it said on my calendar. I Googled "Colonial Court Church" and found nothing. Maybe we did Art to Heart at a hotel. If I did do one this day and didn't do one on Taylors First Baptist Church middle school retreat at Awanita in July, this may have been my last Art to Heart as a single guy.

1982 - As camp pastor I did "Crossroads" Art to Heart for each of 10 weeks of Centrifuge youth camp at North Greenville College (now University), but I'm not sure which night of the week. I also did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production another night and preached the other 4 nights. This was week 2. Thank you, Don Mattingly.

2001 - Did Art to Heart each week this summer for Concoxions Seesalt summer student conferences as part of our "The Big Picture" theme. This was week 2 at Coastal Carolina University.

June 14

1976 - Not sure which days, but did Art to Heart several times for outdoor rallies as part of the Taylors First Baptist Church Grenada Mission Trip June 14-27. It was at the end of this trip that Kathy and I decided to start dating when we got back home.

1987 - Sunday morning Art to Heart at First Baptist Church in Darlington SC between weeks of summer conferences. Thank you, Debbie Floyd. Also did something in Summerville that night but don't know if it was Art to Heart.

2023 - Art to Heart for VBS family night at Crossroads Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Thank you, Cole Jones.

June 15

2010 - Did Art to Heart each week as part of “The Big Picture 3D” theme at Concoxions’ Seesalt summer student conferences. This was week 2 at Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort in Myrtle Beach.

June 16

1974 - Our First Baptist Spartanburg Kentucky missions teams were conducting Sunday morning services at 12 churches in Bell County, KY and announcing that as a highlight of the week ahead George Schrieffer would be doing a “chalk talk” at each of those churches at the end of the week. I had no idea on this date that George would be unable to come and I would be crazy enough to fill in for him despite never having done a “chalk talk."

1980 - As camp pastor for the South Carolina Baptist Convention State Youth Conference at White Oak Conference Center this summer, I did Art to Heart each week, but not sure which day. week 1 This was week 1, June 16-20. Thank you, Al Price.

June 18

1983 - Centrifuge week 3 - As camp pastor I did "This Little Child" A2H for each week of Centrifuge, but not sure which night of the week. Did a 3-screen, 9 projector multi-image production another night and preached the other 4 nights

2019 - Did Art to Heart each Tuesday night for Concoxions’ final summer of Seesalt summer student conferences. The chalk drawing was part of our theme, "The Big Picture: Heroes and Villains,” which also on Tuesday night included a Marvel superhero spoof called “The Evangers.” This was week 1 at Coastal Carolina University.

July