Hume Creative Arts Conference
MUSIC ・ VISUAL ARTS ・WRITING
October 26-29, 2023
Cultivating the arts and supporting artists who are putting their hands to work for the glory of God
A place for artists, musicians, storytellers, and creators to gather together and cultivate their creative gifts, to encourage one another, and be newly equipped to illuminate the world with the goodness, truth, and beauty of Jesus.
2023 Speakers
2023 Keynote Speakers
2023 Worship Leaders

Mikey and Susan Portis
Mikey and Susan are a couple that love the Lord deeply and desire to make His name known. They serve on full-time staff at Hume Lake Christian Camps where Mikey works as a camp director and Susan works seasonally as a head lead counselor. Worship through music is something both Mikey and Susan are passionate about and desire to live out what the Word says in Ephesians 5:19, “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”
2023 Workshop Presenters
2023 Workshops
Presented by Scott “Fuzzy” Joseph
From every tree to every leaf, to the creatures that inhabit them, this workshop focuses on taking the time to appreciate the tiniest of details. God took the time to design and place every leaf, blade of grass, and grain of sand. All these things add to the objective beauty that is in nature. Who we are is in the details. How we live our lives and what we produce is a reflection of those details. Matthew 10:29-31 mentions how important we are to Him and that He even knows the numbers of hair on our head. We are valuable to Him.
Presented by Scott “Fuzzy” Joseph
This workshop involves taking a look at the comic book format and storytelling. We will discuss how the use of visuals and text can work together to teach, and to entertain.
I will also share how I use the Book of Revelation as a starting point in my own graphic novel series and how I’ve been able to share the Word of God with an audience that might otherwise have no interest.
We will focus on 1 Corinthians 10:31 as we set to honor God in all that we do.
Presented by Bob Bennett
Jesus’ public messages were primarily in the form of “stories”. How have we somehow managed to mostly abandon that aspect of artistry in Church? I simply think this ought not to be. So as songwriters, how do we learn and improve? One answer is what I call the “Bank Teller School of Songwriting” … if you handle enough “genuine currency”, it becomes easier to tell the “real” from the “counterfeit”. This session will be a listening party of some songs I love (by others) with comments, discussion, and your questions.
Presented by Bob Bennett
Although inspiration is what most often leads us to begin writing a song, ruthless editing and attention to every detail is what usually turns a nice/sincere idea into a great song. In this session, I’ll be asking a few brave souls to trust me with their “creative babies” so we can learn and explore together what seems to be working and what might need to work a little better. Please bring a lyric sheet if you can. We’ll basically unpack my smart-aleck axiom: “When writing about the Sacred, nothing is sacred!”
Presented by Dr. Eric Thoennes
Erik Thoennes believes that play is a unique, God-given, universal, human experience that should be woven into all of life. This is true even in the midst of grief and pain because of the hope we have in Christ. In this session we will explore the biblical basis of play and seek greater discernment about the role of godly play in art, worship, and everyday life.
Presented by Claire Bechert
Some lives well-lived ought to be shared. They bear witness to the fact that God is at work in all times, in all places. Whether on paper or in film, these stories depict the reality of God’s existence, and His masterful use of our experiences and circumstances to show us Himself and make us more like Him. In this workshop, we will explore the process of telling the stories of others: where to begin, how to structure a narrative, how to navigate vulnerable spaces and care for others there, and center all of it on Jesus.
Presented by Dr. Thaddeus Williams
Join Dr. Thaddeus Williams as he discusses how the resurrection of Jesus ought to shape the Christian’s creative endeavors.
Presented by Justin Unger
In this workshop, Justin will unpack the discernment of understanding what IS and what ISN’T our role as worship leaders
Presented by Justin Unger
God’s Purpose and Design for the Gathering of the Saints
Presented by Justin Unger
In this workshop, Justin will teach on the implications of leading musical worship: The battle is real and you are on the front lines! Are you okay with that?
Presented by Joshua Smith
Long before digital cameras, photographers sat in darkrooms, waiting for their creative work to develop. The process was scientific and slow, and tiny errors could ruin the greatest potential. Many modern believers still sit in the dark, waiting…worried about mistakes and struggling to discover their potential. This workshop will shine light upon ideas of faith and creativity, while borrowing insights from the photographic process, to reveal a theology of art that can be applied to everyday challenges for Christian creatives. Our aim will be to develop an image for each artist that reflects the Creator’s hand in their unique work, craft and passions.
Presented by Jerry Root
Why do children say, “Read it again!” after a good bedtime story? Lewis says he thinks it is because the child came to love the world of the book and it awakens in them a longing for other worlds. Ultimately, the child’s heart begins, through the story, to long for the only ‘other’ world they can ever truly know; that is, they long for Heaven! The longing, awakened by the story, then enables the child, and the adult, to see this world is filled with people, places, beauty, and events of all shapes and sizes because God is always, lovingly wooing us to Himself. This breakout session will develop these themes further.
Presented by Ernie Zielsdorf
We will walk through the graphic design process, looking at things like: how to come up with concepts for a design, what are some good practices when choosing design for different products, and utilizing the gifts God gave you to create something for others. You will have the opportunity to be a part of the conceptual process with some “live designing” or just sit back and watch it unfold. And there will be plenty of Q&A time, so ask away!
More Worshops to Come!
- Pricing/Register
- Lodging
- FAQ
Register Now to Lock in Early Bird Pricing
*If registering as an individual, after you click the “Register” button, click the “Register My Family” option on the next page.*
DELUXE

The Hotel Experience
- Similar to a hotel room
- Sleeps 4 guests comfortably
- Linens provided
- Coffee maker, phone, refrigerator
- Full bathroom
Single Occupancy for Added Fee
Standard

The Dorm Experience
- Similar to a large dorm room
- Sleeps 5-10 guests comfortably
- Linens provided
- Full bathroom
minimum of 8 guests required
Economy

The Camp Experience
- Standard cabins and dorms
- Sleeps 5-10 guests comfortably
- Linens provided
- Bathroom attached or within walking distance
minimum Requirement varies depending on cabin size
Event Only

No Housing Cost Added
- Arrange your own lodging at a privately-owned cabin in the area
- Hume will only charge you for the event itself.
IMPORTANT
Some older mapping services will suggest you take the 245. It is a curvy, winding road that will take you at least an additional hour. DO NOT take 245!
Check in starts at 3:00 PM the first day of the retreat.
You need to be checked out of your lodging by 11:00 AM the last day of the retreat.
We provide:
Dinner the first day of the retreat
All meals each full day of the retreat
Breakfast and lunch the last day of the retreat
We do not offer free guest WiFi at this point in time. We do offer Internet for a fee; however, the speeds here are not fast. Purchase at your own risk.
Yes, there is a non-refundable and non-transferrable deposit of $100 per person due at the time of registration.
At the time of cancellation, your non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $100 will be forfeited.
Questions?
Contact our Hume Information team
info@hume.org • 1 (800) 965-4863