Dr. Jerry Wiles, NAR Director and President Emeritus of Living Water International
It was in the early 1980s that I came across Herbert Klem’s book, Oral Communication of the Scripture: Insights from African Oral Art. I was working with an international Christion publishing and broadcasting organization at the time, reaching 186 countries. It was a season of recognizing that what I was doing was effective with perhaps 20 to 30 percent of the world’s population. I then began to get connected with a few mission leaders who had some experience with or interest in Orality, Oral Cultures, and reaching Oral Learners and unreached people groups. Those years put me on a new path of learning and understanding about what it will take to communicate the gospel to every person, make disciple among all people groups, in order to complete the Great Commission.
After serving in the United States Air Force, working in the business world, serving as a pastor, doing global mission work and being a university administrator; I would suggest that discovering the World of Orality has been one of my most significant transformational life experiences. My journey is a testimony of the grace, providence and sovereignty of God. It is a tremendous blessing to learn from so many who have gone before us, and to be able to share our learning with others. It’s the reproducing life of the Lord Jesus, in and through each of us, that produces lasting fruit and has eternal impact. Being in the flow of the Living Water, that Jesus spoke about in John 4 & 7, is an incredible delight and privilege. One of my mentors, the late global missiologist Dr. Ralph Winter said, “I’m just a little chip in a mighty river.” That’s really how it is with each of us in our journey with the Lord. What a joy to realize that we can all be used as instruments of righteousness, and be part of a reproducing and multiplying influence and impact for the Kingdom of God
It was in the early 1980s that I came across Herbert Klem’s book, Oral Communication of the Scripture: Insights from African Oral Art. I was working with an international Christion publishing and broadcasting organization at the time, reaching 186 countries. It was a season of recognizing that what I was doing was effective with perhaps 20 to 30 percent of the world’s population. I then began to get connected with a few mission leaders who had some experience with or interest in Orality, Oral Cultures, and reaching Oral Learners and unreached people groups. Those years put me on a new path of learning and understanding about what it will take to communicate the gospel to every person, make disciple among all people groups, in order to complete the Great Commission.
After serving in the United States Air Force, working in the business world, serving as a pastor, doing global mission work and being a university administrator; I would suggest that discovering the World of Orality has been one of my most significant transformational life experiences. My journey is a testimony of the grace, providence and sovereignty of God. It is a tremendous blessing to learn from so many who have gone before us, and to be able to share our learning with others. It’s the reproducing life of the Lord Jesus, in and through each of us, that produces lasting fruit and has eternal impact. Being in the flow of the Living Water, that Jesus spoke about in John 4 & 7, is an incredible delight and privilege. One of my mentors, the late global missiologist Dr. Ralph Winter said, “I’m just a little chip in a mighty river.” That’s really how it is with each of us in our journey with the Lord. What a joy to realize that we can all be used as instruments of righteousness, and be part of a reproducing and multiplying influence and impact for the Kingdom of God
Dr. Tara Rye, Program Committee Chair
A long time ago, a very passionate teacher gave her students every single detail of information she would learn, but she soon discovered that many were overwhelmed and did not understand what she was teaching. At first, the teacher thought something was wrong with her, and then she thought something was wrong with her students. The teacher felt frustrated and really struggled because she wanted to teach in a way her students would understand. Out of frustration and resignation, one day she simply told a story. To her surprise, her students were excited and were able to recall what she taught. The teacher caught the truth that a story enables people to engage the Bible and encounter Jesus so that life change happens. So she began to use oral strategies in the Bible studies, speaking engagements, in a homeless shelter, a home for human trafficking, on mission trips, the radio, and as a college professor. She is now passionate about helping others to engage the Bible through story in the method that will them to enable others to engage the Bible, be with Jesus, and be transformed in their heart language. Dr. Tara Rye is the Bible Engagement Director for Audio Scripture Ministries ([email protected] or www.audioscripture.org or www.tararye.com).
A long time ago, a very passionate teacher gave her students every single detail of information she would learn, but she soon discovered that many were overwhelmed and did not understand what she was teaching. At first, the teacher thought something was wrong with her, and then she thought something was wrong with her students. The teacher felt frustrated and really struggled because she wanted to teach in a way her students would understand. Out of frustration and resignation, one day she simply told a story. To her surprise, her students were excited and were able to recall what she taught. The teacher caught the truth that a story enables people to engage the Bible and encounter Jesus so that life change happens. So she began to use oral strategies in the Bible studies, speaking engagements, in a homeless shelter, a home for human trafficking, on mission trips, the radio, and as a college professor. She is now passionate about helping others to engage the Bible through story in the method that will them to enable others to engage the Bible, be with Jesus, and be transformed in their heart language. Dr. Tara Rye is the Bible Engagement Director for Audio Scripture Ministries ([email protected] or www.audioscripture.org or www.tararye.com).
Dr. Katie Alaniz, Steering Committee Chair
In her early childhood, Katie developed a passion for storytelling, especially as her father told stories of his life and walk with Christ in a vividly engaging and memorable style. She quickly embraced the art of creating her own stories and sought to develop in this area over the years.
After graduating from Texas A&M University and meeting Steven, the man of her dreams, the two newlyweds committed to sharing God's love with those in their community through sharing stories from the Bible. They began serving together in a ministry called Apartment Life, which exists to radically transform lives by making Christ known within apartment communities.
In the midst of their ministry, as Katie was serving as a second grade teacher in her hometown of Houston, she felt called to embark on a master's program at Houston Baptist University, specifically in the area of instructional technology. As a result of her gifted, caring professor and mentor, Dr. Dawn Wilson, Katie embarked on new adventures in the fascinating world of digital storytelling, through which stories from God's Word can be shared using a compelling combination of images, music, and narration.
The Lord utilized her time as a master's student to spark a passion for teaching within the world of higher education, and after earning her doctoral degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from the University of Houston, Katie joined the faculty of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Houston Baptist University. To this day, she teaches her undergraduate and graduate students the art of digital storytelling through a new Master of Science in Learning, Technology, and Design program at HBU, and Katie and Steven are incredibly blessed to share the light and love of Christ through storytelling endeavors within their apartment community.
In her early childhood, Katie developed a passion for storytelling, especially as her father told stories of his life and walk with Christ in a vividly engaging and memorable style. She quickly embraced the art of creating her own stories and sought to develop in this area over the years.
After graduating from Texas A&M University and meeting Steven, the man of her dreams, the two newlyweds committed to sharing God's love with those in their community through sharing stories from the Bible. They began serving together in a ministry called Apartment Life, which exists to radically transform lives by making Christ known within apartment communities.
In the midst of their ministry, as Katie was serving as a second grade teacher in her hometown of Houston, she felt called to embark on a master's program at Houston Baptist University, specifically in the area of instructional technology. As a result of her gifted, caring professor and mentor, Dr. Dawn Wilson, Katie embarked on new adventures in the fascinating world of digital storytelling, through which stories from God's Word can be shared using a compelling combination of images, music, and narration.
The Lord utilized her time as a master's student to spark a passion for teaching within the world of higher education, and after earning her doctoral degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from the University of Houston, Katie joined the faculty of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Houston Baptist University. To this day, she teaches her undergraduate and graduate students the art of digital storytelling through a new Master of Science in Learning, Technology, and Design program at HBU, and Katie and Steven are incredibly blessed to share the light and love of Christ through storytelling endeavors within their apartment community.
Sally Hinzie
About twenty years ago, I was invited to an introduction of chronological Bible storying by a local church. I had been telling stories to preschool children for over twenty years, and thought there was not much new information for someone as experienced as I was. When our instructor stood up and started with, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was dark, empty, and void...” I realized I was in for a new challenge. We did not tell preschoolers stories with that complexity. I have since fallen in love with sharing the gospel through story. Opportunities have opened in prison, homeless shelters, with international students, and in foreign countries. I love telling the stories and I love challenging others to give story telling a try. If you want to know more, you can contact me at sally[email protected] or 713 503 9472.
About twenty years ago, I was invited to an introduction of chronological Bible storying by a local church. I had been telling stories to preschool children for over twenty years, and thought there was not much new information for someone as experienced as I was. When our instructor stood up and started with, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was dark, empty, and void...” I realized I was in for a new challenge. We did not tell preschoolers stories with that complexity. I have since fallen in love with sharing the gospel through story. Opportunities have opened in prison, homeless shelters, with international students, and in foreign countries. I love telling the stories and I love challenging others to give story telling a try. If you want to know more, you can contact me at sally[email protected] or 713 503 9472.
Lauren Linz
As a little girl, Lauren dreamed of a career where she could serve God’s people. She worked hard to receive her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and Master’s in Leadership and Ethics from John Brown University. Amidst the hard work, Lauren fell in love with telling and training other’s to tell God’s story orally. She told the Great Story to friends, family, residents and interns alike from Guatemala and India to central Arkansas. As she was telling stories, she met a man, Adam, who loved the Lord and desired to grow in Him together. Adam and Lauren prayed diligently for a job where Lauren’s gifts could be maximized and God delivered. Lauren now works as the Leadership Development Coordinator for the City Church Network where she coordinates the training of leaders, and dreams of ways to integrate oral strategies into all learning and training. God graciously brought them a daughter who loves to tell stories. (citychurchar.org)
As a little girl, Lauren dreamed of a career where she could serve God’s people. She worked hard to receive her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and Master’s in Leadership and Ethics from John Brown University. Amidst the hard work, Lauren fell in love with telling and training other’s to tell God’s story orally. She told the Great Story to friends, family, residents and interns alike from Guatemala and India to central Arkansas. As she was telling stories, she met a man, Adam, who loved the Lord and desired to grow in Him together. Adam and Lauren prayed diligently for a job where Lauren’s gifts could be maximized and God delivered. Lauren now works as the Leadership Development Coordinator for the City Church Network where she coordinates the training of leaders, and dreams of ways to integrate oral strategies into all learning and training. God graciously brought them a daughter who loves to tell stories. (citychurchar.org)
Dr. Mark Overstreet
Mark serves as founder and president of SRV, an international organization dedicated to developing fourth world leaders among people groups who live in Bibleless and unreached cultures. For over a decade, he has developed oral strategies for leadership development and programs for communities who have no access to the Bible or church planting tools in their language. Previously, he served as professor and vice president at Criswell College in Dallas, Texas. Prior to his service in Dallas, he taught at Southern Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Mark serves as a pastor in his local church, and he loves time with his family, serving others, adventure, reading, sports, good food, travel, fitness, and learning. He and his wife Tiffanie have three sons and currently live outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
Mark serves as founder and president of SRV, an international organization dedicated to developing fourth world leaders among people groups who live in Bibleless and unreached cultures. For over a decade, he has developed oral strategies for leadership development and programs for communities who have no access to the Bible or church planting tools in their language. Previously, he served as professor and vice president at Criswell College in Dallas, Texas. Prior to his service in Dallas, he taught at Southern Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Mark serves as a pastor in his local church, and he loves time with his family, serving others, adventure, reading, sports, good food, travel, fitness, and learning. He and his wife Tiffanie have three sons and currently live outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
Rev. Dr. Byron Spradlin
Once upon a time, a boy was born near Berkeley, Calif., right after World War II. He smiled a lot, loved people and loved to encourage people, even from an early age. It turned out he was quite musical, learning to play four instruments, singing a lot, and even directing choirs.
He surrendered his life to Jesus at 19, at the beginning of the Jesus Movement, and dove right into ministry. Fueled by his love for Jesus, he started writing songs and sharing his faith on the street, in coffee houses, churches and schools, and eventually all over Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and North America.
Thankful for God’s mercy and grace, his passion for Jesus moved him into creative and artistic ministry. He began to discover that many Church leaders were suspicious of artistic ministries, and some were even against them. But as he continued to do ministry, he heard the LORD say, “Whatever ministry roles you have, always be discipling people out of a music and arts background towards working them into the fabric of Church and Missions Ministry all over the world.”
The LORD guided him at age 24 to launch a ministry to creatives called Artists in Christian Testimony Intl (A.C.T. Intl)—which 45 years later, is a missions and ministry sending board with more than 600 staff in 47 nations. He also helped organize the first board for Jews for Jesus and still volunteers with that board of directors.
Once upon a time, a boy was born near Berkeley, Calif., right after World War II. He smiled a lot, loved people and loved to encourage people, even from an early age. It turned out he was quite musical, learning to play four instruments, singing a lot, and even directing choirs.
He surrendered his life to Jesus at 19, at the beginning of the Jesus Movement, and dove right into ministry. Fueled by his love for Jesus, he started writing songs and sharing his faith on the street, in coffee houses, churches and schools, and eventually all over Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and North America.
Thankful for God’s mercy and grace, his passion for Jesus moved him into creative and artistic ministry. He began to discover that many Church leaders were suspicious of artistic ministries, and some were even against them. But as he continued to do ministry, he heard the LORD say, “Whatever ministry roles you have, always be discipling people out of a music and arts background towards working them into the fabric of Church and Missions Ministry all over the world.”
The LORD guided him at age 24 to launch a ministry to creatives called Artists in Christian Testimony Intl (A.C.T. Intl)—which 45 years later, is a missions and ministry sending board with more than 600 staff in 47 nations. He also helped organize the first board for Jews for Jesus and still volunteers with that board of directors.
Danna Swartz
Danna is an objective reporter … much more comfortable with facts and figures than emotion or creative thought. Her profession is paring down and perfecting writing to communicate clearly and concisely. But during a storytelling trip to Israel and Palestine, she saw how the facts of the Bible come to life through storytelling and how lives are touched in extraordinary ways … listener and teller alike. Through some providential doors being slammed, she has been able to walk beside an amazing Bible storyteller and learn how to minister to women in crisis, refugees, and children … next door and around the world … forever changing her story and how she reports His.
Danna is an objective reporter … much more comfortable with facts and figures than emotion or creative thought. Her profession is paring down and perfecting writing to communicate clearly and concisely. But during a storytelling trip to Israel and Palestine, she saw how the facts of the Bible come to life through storytelling and how lives are touched in extraordinary ways … listener and teller alike. Through some providential doors being slammed, she has been able to walk beside an amazing Bible storyteller and learn how to minister to women in crisis, refugees, and children … next door and around the world … forever changing her story and how she reports His.
Jonathan Williams
For 35 years, I worked within the confines of my boat. I learned to sail it well and become a good fisherman. It became a secure place, and I believed I would finish my life in that boat. Then, one day, I was startled to see Jesus walking on the water. I was more astonished when he said, “Jonathan, get out of that boat, and walk on the water with me.” I hesitated, but a friend said, “Jonathan, go for it.” I jumped out and to my astonishment, my feet were firm on the water! Now, I am going places with Jesus that I only dreamed about for those 35 years. I fish with Jesus in the exotic waters of the oceans of the world. I teach others how to fish, and I tell stories about the Greatest Fisherman of all whose kingdom is like a great net hauling in fish of every kind. If you want to hear some of my fish stories (all true!), contact me at [email protected].
For WGS Ministries Resources, please visit www.WGSministries.org (main website), www.StoriesoftheMaster.com (focuses on my narratives of the life of Christ from His birth to His enthronement at the right hand of God), www.TheWomenJesusLoved.com (twelve stories of Jesus' interaction with women in the Gospels showing God's love, His respect, and His redemption in a world that often treated women as second-class citizens at best and as property as worst), and www.TheRenewalofAllThings.com (a 16-minute video that dramatically visualizes and tells the Biblical story from creation to Christ in 27 languages).
For 35 years, I worked within the confines of my boat. I learned to sail it well and become a good fisherman. It became a secure place, and I believed I would finish my life in that boat. Then, one day, I was startled to see Jesus walking on the water. I was more astonished when he said, “Jonathan, get out of that boat, and walk on the water with me.” I hesitated, but a friend said, “Jonathan, go for it.” I jumped out and to my astonishment, my feet were firm on the water! Now, I am going places with Jesus that I only dreamed about for those 35 years. I fish with Jesus in the exotic waters of the oceans of the world. I teach others how to fish, and I tell stories about the Greatest Fisherman of all whose kingdom is like a great net hauling in fish of every kind. If you want to hear some of my fish stories (all true!), contact me at [email protected].
For WGS Ministries Resources, please visit www.WGSministries.org (main website), www.StoriesoftheMaster.com (focuses on my narratives of the life of Christ from His birth to His enthronement at the right hand of God), www.TheWomenJesusLoved.com (twelve stories of Jesus' interaction with women in the Gospels showing God's love, His respect, and His redemption in a world that often treated women as second-class citizens at best and as property as worst), and www.TheRenewalofAllThings.com (a 16-minute video that dramatically visualizes and tells the Biblical story from creation to Christ in 27 languages).
Rick Brekelbaum, NARION Senior Leadership Team Advisor
From 2009 - 2016, Rick served as the Executive Associate to the Executive Director of NARION. Since that time, he has faithfully served as a senior advisor to the NARION team.
From 2009 - 2016, Rick served as the Executive Associate to the Executive Director of NARION. Since that time, he has faithfully served as a senior advisor to the NARION team.