Page 44 - Empowering Missional Artists - Jim Mills.pdf

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Painter / Sculptor

Bryan Haab, Canadian born painter and sculptor, lives what he

believes: “I was created to be creative.” In 2004, he founded “Soul

Works Foundation,” another classic example of one of God’s

postmodern covert operations. One strategy of this foundation is a

street level gallery for the homeless. Bryan invites street people into
Bryan Haab
his gallery and offers art workshops free to those who do not have the ability or means to pay for

the lessons. Some become Christians who then work out of this street gallery and some even

exhibit their works of art in there. The work is all about loving, serving, nurturing and reaching

people. All are welcome.

The labor pains for this work began in February 2002 when Bryan pulled back and

st
spent time seeking God for His plan for the beginning of the 21 century. The direction was
scary, but clear according to Bryan: “Give away everything, and you will receive more than you

can imagine.” Though he wrestled with these thoughts for a while, finally he was persuaded that

God was speaking to him. So he began to do exactly what he heard. He sold his works of art

and began to invest in other artists who were serving society in Jesus name and also took some

of the funds to birth his vision to establish “Soul Works Foundation.”

Soul Works Foundation aims to support and foster art for the well-being of society and
to the glory of God. To understand the heart beat of this work a few of the objectives
of this non-profit are: 1) To encourage a living relationship to God, the Creator and to
reflect His person and reality through art 2) To set artists free to serve with their
talents, the unfortunates of society and those who are not so unfortunate, all the while
encouraging these artists to pursue standards of excellence in their works 3) To see
broken lives restored 4) To give out of a motivation of genuine love and thereby act as
a catalyst for generosity in society 5) To encourage all forms of creative expression on
all skill levels “This work is based on faith in Jesus Christ, Biblical truth and Christian
principles. A spirit of honesty, purity, respect, unselfishness and love make up the
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core values behind every project and initiative of Soul Works Foundation.”