I added a couple of testimonies-examples of visual art used in mission-today to the site. One of which I just found yesterday, from PIONEERS:
(Because I'm not certain of the security situation surrounding the evangelization of the group Richardson names, I will call the people in this story by an arbitrary name. Published by PIONEERS March 2006.)
"The Chocolate people are a people with a strong oral tradition." writes one Pioneers team leader. "They pass on their wealth of wisdom to each succeeding generation through folk stories, epic poems, proverbs and music. The abstract thinking and teaching characteristic of highly literate (e.g. Western) societies is confusing and fails to effectively communicate the truths of Scripture to the Chocolate.
"We are working to create a visual Bible that will present the biblical story to the Chocolate in a relevant and theologically sound way. Using an adaptation of Chocolate traditional art styles, we are creating a set of pictures that will take the 'reader' through the Bible. This set of images will present a clear picture of God as our Creator, Redeemer, Savior and Hope. The use of Chocolate forms communicates that our God is not only the God of the universe 'out there' but also the God of the Chocolate, a God nearby."
"The accompanying narration of the pictures challenges the listener to wholeheartedly join in the Kingdom of God and participate in His redemptive work."
