Rev. Joel Pelsue, Founder & President, contact: joel@a-e-m.org

Joel Pelsue started playing in orchestra pits when he was 14, trained first on Clarinet and Oboe; in college, he studied improvisational jazz on both Tenor and Soprano Sax. His first CD, “Windsome Thirst” played on radio stations across the country and is currently in its second printing.

Joel has a B.A in Philosophy from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, and his M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando Campus. He’s been ordained in the P.C.A. (Presbyterian Church in America) for over 8 years, and has been ministering to artists for over 15 years. Joel has taught, lectured and preached all over the country for colleges, arts ministries, churches and seminaries.

Joel believes God has always been a redeemer of individuals and entire cultures. His passion to reunite the church and the arts has led him to teach his series, “Christianity, Culture & Creativity” in New York, Florida and Los Angeles at churches and arts ministries (such as Intermission NY).

Audiences continue to be surprised how well Joel brings clarity to the challenges of integrating their Christian walk with their artistic passions. Joel is inspiring churches to rediscover the Biblical values of beauty, creativity and cultural engagement. Joel has been a pastor in New York and in Los Angeles where he currently lives with his wife and two children. Two years ago Joel launched Arts & Entertainment Ministries (AEM) with his wife Michelle. AEM is a ministry dedicated to educating the church and the artist, mentoring young artists in their faith and craft and providing resources for the artist and the church to change the world through cultural renewal.

Michelle Pelsue, Founder, contact: mich@a-e-m.org

Michelle Pelsue started acting professionally at age 15. At this young age she starred in a professional theatre production and was in her first movie. From studying at a performing arts high school, to majoring in theatre at college, she has enjoyed great success.

Michelle has starred in productions of Shakespeare’s plays to Beaumarchais’ French Farces to Chekov’s Poetic Realism, she loves acting and the theatre! While in college Michelle also produced four Shakespeare festivals entitled “Shakespeare on Location”. Since college, she has done film, television, theatre, print work, industrials, and voiceovers. Michelle has also run events (for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Mid Florida Chapter) such as walkathons, bike tours, fashion shows and art shows. Michelle has also been very involved in serving the church through leading bible studies, women’s ministry and children’s ministry in Florida, New York and California.

Michelle Pelsue has a B.A. in Theatre from Westmont College, and taken Master’s Degree courses in Aesthetics, as well as studying in Jerusalem, Israel. Michelle has served on the board of the Civic Theatre in Orlando, Florida and served on committees for the United Arts of Central Florida.

Erin McLaughlin, Administrator, contact: admin@a-e-m.org

Erin was born and raised in Burbank, California and received her BA in Liberal Studies and Art from Azusa Pacific University. While she grew up cultivating a deep appreciation for the arts and participating in dance, show choir, musical theater, orchestra, and fine art, she has sought to balance that with her gifting in administration and accounting and her passion for the church.

She is currently pursuing an MS in Accountancy at Cal State Los Angeles in an effort to further develop her professional skills. As Erin works with the business side of AEM and provides support for the staff, she feels blessed knowing that God truly hand-picked her to serve in this way and to help advance the mission of integrating faith and art.