Art with a Mission

My name is Esther-Anastasiia Franchuk.

I am 22 and I am an artist. I live in Ukraine and love painting. This is my voice and the way I express my love towards God.

The Lord made very clear to me the talent he gave me is supposed to bring glory to Him. I believe this generation has a strong voice and this voice, for me, is art. Art doesn't have language barriers and is a great tool to make a difference in this world. These days, God is doing a lot in the creative hearts of people in His Family around the globe. He is teaching us how to use creativity to encourage the Body of Christ and draw people to Himself and even showing examples of it in scripture. Art is proving to be a mighty Kingdom tool in the hands of creative believers.

Last fall I seriously started to think how can I use my gift of creativity for God's glory not just making prophetic paintings but doing some practical stuff as well. I knew that time the next step in my walk with God will be to attend the YWAM DTS (Youth With A Mission Discipleship Training School) in Sarasota, Florida. I did MOTA "Marriage of the Arts" program there, which was the great opportunity for me to follow the Great Commission and to learn how to advance the Kingdom of God through my art. After the lecture phase I went on outreach to Nepal. At the very beginning of our trip we already saw God move in incredible ways through our art! We went from village to village sharing the gospel & the love of our Father, helping churches with their ministry, working with kids and of course doing our art. I can say that ART opens the doors for the Good news. You just go to the streets, start playing music and create something with colors & people immediately start gathering around because they want to know why are we doing all this stuff. And there is a place for testimonies. We were able to share stories of God's faithfulness in our lives, and so many people have been touched. God creates all things new & He wants to redeem art for His glory.

God has given me a vision to disciple young people and continue to use art in missions. I never imagined that I would be a missionary, but if I've learned anything in the last 6 months, it's that God has far bigger plans for my life than I could have imagined!

I'd like to share with you about where God is leading me next. I'm happy to announce that I'm joining staff at YWAM Sarasota! The ministry vision of YWAM it to mobilize, equip, and send the next generation of world missionaries, bringing the gospel to the most unreached peoples. My ministry vision is to reach out to artists and creatives as a people group; To disciple artists, emboldening them to stand in their identities as creators, to believe in their inherent worth as created beings; To communicate the Gospel through art to this visual and creative world.

I'm so excited for this wild adventure with Jesus and that I get to do art and missions together with my life. Right now, I am back home in Ukraine for couple of months, and then I'm moving to Florida around January 18th to join staff with YWAM.

It is a walk of faith to be a missionary, and I can't do it alone. The work I will do in Youth With A Mission is as a volunteer missionary and I will not receive a salary. But I believe that God uses the Body of Christ to fund His work in the world and support raising is a biblical concept. I am building a team of partners to invest in God's kingdom with me, and I am looking for people who will stand with me. I need both prayer partners, and people who will give monthly or annually. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me?

How you can be praying for me:

-That I will be a blessing to my family,friends and church at home.

-That I will use my time at home well.

-That I could renew my US Visa soon.

-Please pray that God will raise up a strong partnership team to walk with me as I serve the Lord!

-For the finances I need to move to Florida.

I am so thankful for you all. Please let me know if there are ways I can be praying for you!!

How will the money be spent? ($900-1200 Suggested monthly support)

$75-125 Transport

$50 Phone

$200 Food (groceries)

$500 Housing (rent & utilities)

Other costs to consider:

-Health insurance

-Clothing
-Personal care
-Ministry/Fundraising costs (outreaches)

Extra for the first month:

$150- US Travel Insurance
$160- US VISA Application Fee
$650- Airfare Ukraine-Florida

YWAM Sarasota- MOTA
1121 Lewis Ave.
Sarasota, Florida 34237