Using our talents to give back.......

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

At the end of the first half of the photography seminar I had the pleasure of attending on Sunday, my brain had so many facts whirling around in it, it felt like the inside of a pin ball machine. It was so exciting to see the world renowned photography of David and Ally McKay right there in front of us on a big screen. After our halftime break the lights dimmed as everyone gathered back into our seats. I was sitting there in a worship kind of mode, it being Sunday morning.

How surprised was I to hear the music of Brandon Heath and Leeland singing these lyrics along with a breathtaking backdrop of unbelievable photography of children and people in need all over the world:

"You live among the least of these, the weary and the weak. And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.........."

 When people first sat down there was much lively talking, but as the scenes and lyrics spilled across the screen, everyone started to quiet down.....how could they not?

"All my needs You have supplied, when I was dead, You gave me life. How could I not give it way so freely?"  

As the song went on, photos were shown of people and children picking through a garbage dump......and a breathtaking one of a tattered pair of worn shorts that a child was still inside....scene after scene. I wondered where all this was going because this was an overtly Christian message I was seeing to my complete joy and wonderment. I wasn't expecting it here.

"Use my hands, Use my feet, to make Your Kingdom come to the corners of the earth, until Your work is done.......Cause faith without works is dead, and on the cross, Your blood was shed
So how could we not give it away so freely?"

Then a scene of someone praying.....and a cross. Whoa. Am I in church? And here was a mixed group of around 400 people seeing this. The message couldn't be ignored. It was loud and clear. As the song ended, a very emotional David McKay, famous photographer, couldn't speak.

He said he gets emotional everytime at this part of the seminar. He went on to explain that as he and Ally went all over the world and saw such tremendous need, they realized they couldn't not do something. So they formed Vision Culture. A way of linking up individuals who love photography and want to help people at the same time.

I thought how great this was. They had all the acclaim and all the recognition, but they wanted something more. To help people in need.

I left that seminar with more than tools to be a better photographer, I left inspired that people were moved to do more, even with everything they had. They felt moved to give back........I would encourage anyone with an interest or love for photography go to their site. You won't be disappointed.

And I'll

Follow You into the homes of the broken

Follow You into the world

I'll meet the needs for the poor

And needy, God

I'll follow You into the world

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16