Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Winfield Bevins is an internationally recognized author, teacher, and artist. As an ordained minister and an artist, he has been working at the intersection of art, faith, and the church for more than two decades. He is the founding director of Creo Arts and he is also artist in residence and an affiliate professor at Asbury Theological Seminary. Over the past decade, he has helped train leaders around the world and has helped start several non-profit organizations, including a non-profit art gallery and studio. He is the author of several books including Liturgical Mission (InterVarsity Press, 2022) and Ever Ancient Ever New (Zondervan, 2019). Winfield’s work has been featured in various outlets such as Christianity Today, Publishers Weekly, Outreach Magazine, and Religious News Service. In 2021, he was commissioned to paint an icon for the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in honor of his visit to New York City.

Director of Operations

Carson Daniel is a native Kentuckian, a devoted lover of the arts, and follower of Jesus. He graduated with honors from Asbury University, earning a Bachelor's of Arts degree in History, and is set to complete a Master's of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary in the Spring of 2025. With over a decade of rich experience working in various non-profit and ministry contexts, Carson has cultivated a deep understanding of organizations and God's heart. His passions extend beyond his professional life; they also encompass doing life joyfully with his beautiful wife, Dora, and their two wonderful children, faithfully serving God within the local Church, and enjoying prayer walks in the beauty of God's creation.

Gallery and Events Manager

Victoria Butler grew up in Kansas around artists and musicians and has always expressed herself creatively. She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Art and currently lives in Wilmore, KY with her husband, Jordan, while she works on her MA in Theological Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. She is passionate about showing the love of God through hospitality and bringing people together. Victoria enjoys graphic design, music, painting, and photography. She’s seen God move through community and art, and longs to see others awakened to the beauty of God.

Journal Editor

John Michael Heard was born in London, England, and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan. A graduate of Asbury University’s film program, he currently lives in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he is pursuing an M.A. in Theological Studies (Aesthetics and Applied Arts) from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is passionate about storytelling, with a focus on middle grade fiction and film. He publishes regularly on his Substack, Not Yet Home, about issues relevant to faith, story, and community. Michael writes with the hope of seeing the church awakened to the reality of Christ’s beauty.

Scholar in Residence

Linda Stratford, Ph.D., is a historian, writer, and educator dedicated to fostering thoughtful discussions about art. Initially trained as a studio artist, she has become a teacher-scholar and mentor, notably as the Director of the Asbury University Paris Semester. She served as board president of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) and co-founded The Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art (ASCHA). Stratford co-edited ReVisioning and has contributed to various publications, including Religion and Contemporary Art (Routledge, 2023) and God in the Modern Wing (IVP, 2021). At Asbury University, she teaches Art History, French History, Art Theory, and Aesthetics and actively participates in College Art Association meetings.

Song Writing and Worship Arts

Jordan Butler grew up in the small town of Arkansas City, Kansas. With his dad being a worship pastor, Jordan learned how to play music in the church, specifically drums, guitar, and vocals. In college as a percussion performance major, Jordan fell in love with songwriting which eventually led him to spend two years traveling and playing shows while also being a worship leader at his local church. Jordan and his wife Victoria felt a call to Asbury Theological Seminary and moved to Wilmore, KY in 2020. After recently graduating in May of 2023, Jordan is continuing to study the role of music in both art and worship. He is passionate about where art and worship intersect and where they differ. Jordan is interested in teaching on what worship is and the role that music has for the Church as well as teaching on songwriting and the importance of beautiful songs for the Kingdom and the world.

Artist in Residence

Chris Segre-Lewis was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1976.  After immigrating to the United States, he lived for many years on the east coast of Florida and now resides in central Kentucky.  He received his BA from Asbury College in 1998 and MFA from the University of Kentucky in 2005.  His paintings have been shown nationally in many solo and group exhibitions.  His paintings explore the subject of landscape as a vehicle for expressing the divine, the spiritual, immortal, and sublime truths inherent within the context of creation.  Chris is an Associate professor of Art and Design here at Asbury University and teaches drawing, painting, and design.   Chris is represented by New Editions Gallery in Lexington, KY, Tew Galleries in Atlanta, GA, The Marshall Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ, Horizon Gallery in Jackson Hole, WY, Bennett Gallery in Nashville, TN,  and the Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM.

Chief Curator/Conservator

Jeff was born and raised in Wilmore, KY.  In 2002, he became director of Ichthus Ministries/Music Festival that served tens of thousands of attendees annually. In 2009, Jeff returned to the design/art/décor field with commercial projects such as “The Barn” in The Summit at Fritz Farm, Maker’s Mark Distillery (the historic Samuels House among others), institutional work including The Joe Pitts Center for Public Policy, executive office suites, residential interiors, and furniture design. He is the contract curator and conservator for the John DeCuir Collection (100’s Hollywood set design illustrations). He also manages and displays Asbury’s extensive collection of movie/TV props and print materials. He has worked with and consulted for dozens of private collections, art galleries, and public showings.

Theatre and Prayer Support

Carol Anderson MFA is a professional actress, director, and playwright. With husband Jim Shores, she performs internationally as Acts of Renewal. Their faith and art projects have ranged from theatres to performing at arena marriage events to performing at biblical sites in Israel. Carol’s start -performing her one-woman show on eating disorders, tour and PBS film. Favorite roles include Hildegard of Bingen in A Feather on the Breath of God, and Edith Tolkien in Tolkien’s Marriage written by Jim Shores, commissioned by the International Inklings Conference. While on staff at St John the Divine- Houston, Carol developed an arts-based worship service incorporating theatre, dance, music, and visual arts that drew artists from across the city. Carol says, “People visited because of the arts, but they stayed because of the Holy Spirit.”  Carol now teaches acting at Asbury University investing in the next generation of believer artists.

Film and Production

David Whitaker received his Masters in Creative Enterprise from the University of Reading in England, and his Master of Fine Arts in Film and TV Production from Asbury University. Before receiving his degrees he worked in the film industry in Hollywood in both a production capacity and as a digital rights manager; serving clients from major studios such as 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Lionsgate, MGM, and others. He has also worked on numerous television shows, commercials, and feature films and continues to do so in his free time.

Spiritual and Prayer Director

Cheryl diligently intercedes in prayer and intercession on behalf of various pioneering mission and leadership multiplication initiatives and key missional movement leaders. Offering Transforming Prayer Sessions she employs over 30 years of intercessory prayer experience to support pastors and pioneers throughout North America and globally. Alongside her husband, Bill, they have ministered in multiple church plants for over three decades through prayer and worship ministry that began at Truro Anglican Church in Fairfax, VA, in 1991. Cheryl co-founded and served as Executive Director of The SEEDS Ministry in New Bern, NC, for six years, driving Kingdom Transformation across denominational lines through Prayer, Connection, and Empowerment, thus fostering a community ignited by the Holy Spirit. Leading Prayer Retreats and facilitating Encounter Prayer Rooms for National Gatherings, Cheryl and Bill exemplify spiritual leadership. They continue their journey from their home in New Bern, NC as almost empty nesters to five beautiful young adult children.