Art and Christian Outreach

A story in the St Petersburg Times of 20 February tells of an 87 year old Pasco artist who combines his artistic talent with missionary work to spread the Gospel, particularly among at-risk children, both locally in Florida and through missionary work in South America.

Stan Crookall became a Christian at the age of 17 when he met his wife-to-be at a Salvation Army picnic. The next day he atnded the Salvation Army church where, surrounded by other young men and women who were studying the Bible, he said he “understood plainly, clearly what it meant to be a Christian.”

“That was the thrill of my heart to understand what it’s like to be right with God.”

Stan went on to do missionary work, served in the navy for 4 years during WWll, and was ordained through three different organizations, including the Baptist church.

He realized he could use his art as an outreach tool to make the Bible more interesting to young people.  He uses his Bible-based paintings not only in his local area – he also has missionaries who carry their mesaage to the schools, parks and other places in South America where they can spread the Gospel to large groups of children.

Locally, Stan is highly respected for the work he does with difficult kids.  The full story of Stan Crookall and his Art is well worth reading, because it shows how working with children can affect whole families for the better.

Here is a great man of God, using his unique talents to bring young people to the Lord.  Photos by Brendan Fitterer, St Petersburg Times.