Founded in 2004, Arts and Entertainment Ministries (AEM) was created in order to bring clarity into the strategic arenas of faith, creativity and culture. AEM is the culmination of over 10 previous years of teaching, equipping, consulting and ministering which Rev. Joel Pelsue, and his wife Michelle have provided to artists in California, New York, and Florida.

Joel and Michelle are both serious about their faith as well as being accomplished artists. Joel is a jazz musician who was classically trained. This served him well when he started playing in orchestra pits at age 14. Michelle is an actress, director and producer. She also started performing young. At age 15 she acted in her first professional film and starred in her first professional theatre gig. For more information please see our staff page.

The Challenge

How does an artist wrestle through the challenge of authentically depicting evil, justice, sexuality, and redemption? What principles should guide an artist in the pursuit of ‘truth-telling’ in such a way that it does not simply become something salacious or gratuitous?

What keeps an artist from the opposite foolishness of creating sentimental art that never truly grapples with the realities of injustice in this world?

Through art and media artists depict their view of the world, presenting ideas and values through a powerfully persuasive medium.

Do artists care about the audience and the effect of their art on the world? Are the artists themselves simply interested in expressing something or enjoying the creative process? Are they aware of the power they possess what they are communicating through their work?

Why AEM?

AEM brings understanding and clarity to these issues. Where there has been an absence of resources for artists who take their faith seriously, now artists are coming to AEM to find practical principles and examples of how they can embrace their faith without compromising their art. They can embrace their art without compromising their faith.

AEM is sought after by professors, teachers and pastors to deliver lectures and provide resources that equip them for training Christians to embrace their faith as they begin to engage the culture around them. Christ did not die for us to retreat from culture, nor to sit on the sidelines as we condemn it, but to be a redemptive force within culture (John 3:17) as we become living metaphors of salt and light( Matt 5:13-16).

Copyright © 2007 Joel & Michelle Pelsue