Josh Tiessen
In 2015, Josh began working on a painting series, entitled "Streams in the Wasteland." Having exhibited his work locally, Josh’s dream was to have a solo exhibition at a major New York gallery where it is quite uncommon for Christians to have a voice. Without any promise of this, he painted in faith believing that his series, inspired by the book of Isaiah, which depicted animals in abandoned civilizations giving honor to their creating in the wake of moral decline, was an important body of work God had laid on his heart. The odds were also against Josh because he paints in a realistic style, which is often looked down upon in the contemporary art world, as well as animal art, which is often deemed 'kitsch'. After several years toiling away at the series, something happened...one of his favorite New York galleries was hosting a competition called "Search for the Next Great Artist." Josh submitted his work and was surprised when the gallery owner selected his as first place winner out of 2000 artists worldwide, and awarded me a solo exhibition at this gallery! In May of 2019 Jonathan LeVine Gallery presented Josh’s debut international solo exhibition, "Streams in the Wasteland." Josh was amazed that the Gallery allowed the stories that go alongside his paintings to be hung by the works, as many of them explain the biblical references that inspired the paintings. Josh was able to share openly about the meaning of his work in the press and media, and he is now thrilled that his painting series is culminating in a coffee table book. His hope is that sharing this story will allow people to see how God can open doors in the most unlikely places. He shares that he would have never thought a former missionary kid would end up being a professional artist in a highly secularized art world and display paintings inspired by his Christian faith. In an age where Josh feels many Christians are discouraged at the increasingly post-Christian state of North America, he is a reminder that God is still working, and he wants to encourage others, especially artists like him, to create with excellence for His glory. Art can be an incredible bridge to talk about faith in our culture. Josh Tiessen has been voted #1 Best Local Artist, added to over 60 awards and honours including IGOR Creative Achievement, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 for artistic achievement and philanthropic work. In spite of early success, Tiessen humbly acknowledges that his artistic talent is a gift from God. www.joshtiessen.com
Debra Fileta
Before anything else in her life, Debra Fileta is a woman in love with Jesus. That love has been the driving motivator propelling her forward in her pursuits as a wife, a mother, a licensed professional counselor, a speaker and an author. She’s married to the love of her life, who pushes her to pursue her dreams and is her number one fan! She and John are parents to three beautiful children- Ella, Elijah, and Ezra. They live in Lancaster, PA. Debra is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in dating, marriage and relationship issues, along with a spectrum of mental health disorders and issues. She’s also the author of True Love Dates, Choosing Marriage, and Love in Every Season! She’s also the host of the Love + Relationships Podcast, a hotline style show where people call in to get their relationship questions answered! Her popular relationship advice Blog TrueLoveDates.com reaches millions of people each year with the message of healthy relationships! Debra is a regular contributor at Relevant Magazine and Crosswalk.com, with over 200 articles around the web about love, marriage, dating, sex, and relationships. Her articles have been featured in magazines, websites, and publications such as Today’s Christian Woman, Verily Magazine, AnnVoskamp.com, Proverbs 31, IAmSecond.com, ChurchLeaders.com, The Christian Post, Charisma Magazine, Converge Magazine, Christianity Today, Her.meneutics, and many others. The majority of her work is featured at her blog, https://TrueLoveDates.com/ https://areyoureallyok.com/
Laura Story
Push past the loss of your “normal” with bestselling author Laura Story and embrace the soaring freedom found in living secure in God’s love. Bible teacher Laura Story gets what it’s like to have plans altered and to surrender perceived security when faced with circumstances beyond our control. But she also understands the blessing of having a Father who loves you enough to take off the training wheels and place his beloved children in the best possible scenario for good and growth. Building on Laura’s previous two titles, When God Doesn’t Fix It and I Give Up, So Long, Normal guides us to leave behind the idols of comfort, caution, and routine so we can live strong and well, even when life takes an unwelcome turn. She says, “Jesus doesn’t just save us from hell in the next life; He saves us from our addiction to ‘normal’ lives this side of eternity. Our preference for cautious, ordinary lives is really rooted in a lack of faith and a failure to understand how much better His plan is than ours.” In her confessional, conversational style, Laura weaves her own personal stories with examples from Scripture of characters whose lives were upended by unexpected (and undesired) change. Leaving, loving, or losing our “normal” is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new adventure with God that will change us forever. http://laurastorymusic.com
Up Next in 2021
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100 Huntley Street - September 7, 2021
Roberta Fiddler
It has been a challenging season for Indigenous communities, and the alarming numbers of tragedies have prevented community members from grieving properly. First Peoples Voices Producer, Crystal Lavallee brings us a special report on what the realities are on the ground and how we... -
100 Huntley Street - September 6, 2021
Laura Story
Push past the loss of your “normal” with bestselling author Laura Story and embrace the soaring freedom found in living secure in God’s love. Bible teacher Laura Story gets what it’s like to have plans altered and to surrender perceived security when faced with circumstances beyond ou... -
100 Huntley Street - September 3, 2021
Todd and Brooke Tilghman
Todd Tilghman and his wife, Brooke, share how decades of unrelenting challenges have taught them a joyful mindset of embracing not only winning The Voice but also "every little win" along the way. When Todd Tilghman, pastor and father of eight from Meridian, Mississippi, ...