05/17/2025
“IMAGO: A Spirit-Filled Celebration of Worship, Art, and Community”
Fincastle, VA — On a quiet Friday evening, while many were caught in the usual rhythms of winding down their week, something extraordinary was stirring at Fincastle Baptist Church. On the evening of May 16, with a light rain drifting through the air, the atmosphere was calm and welcoming as guests began to arrive, a community gathered not just for an event, but for a movement of worship, creativity, and connection. The night was called IMAGO—Latin for "image"—a title that beautifully captures its heartbeat: a night where artists, made in the image of a creative God, brought their worship to life through song, paint, spoken word, laughter, and prayer.
From the moment the doors opened at 6 p.m., the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and warmth. Guests were welcomed with the comforting aroma of coffee from a pop-up coffee house, set with a refined, cozy ambiance—soft lighting, elegant decor, and subtle instrumental music humming in the background. Conversations buzzed gently around the tables as people met the artists, viewed their work, and exchanged stories. Four visual artists displayed their work: Cheyanne Arredondo’s whimsical acrylic and watercolor pieces, Scott Maynard’s striking canvas paintings, Sharron Vass’s repurposed window-frame artwork, and a vibrant mural piece by Cheyenne Renee.
But the visual beauty was only the beginning.
Worship Through the Heart of the Artist
The main event space—bathed in a wash of LED lighting and dramatic cross projections—quieted to a reverent hush as the lights dimmed and the platform came to life at 6:30 p.m. The word “IMAGO” illuminated the walls, an ever-present reminder of the divine reflection woven into each artistic expression that night.
Rob Smith, founder of IMAGO and a worship artist himself, welcomed the crowd. This was his fifth event—but his passion for connecting worship and artistry had not waned. Partnering with producer Johnny Arredondo (Production Director at Fincastle Baptist Church), and co-producers Sharron Vass and David Merritt, Smith has cultivated something unique—a night where the sacred meets the creative in deeply personal and communal ways.
“We believe God gave each of us a creative gift—not to be hidden, but to be offered as worship,” Smith shared, voice steady with conviction. “Tonight is not about performance. It’s about offering. It’s about Jesus.”
What followed was nothing short of a holy experience.
Testimonies That Transformed
Each performance, whether musical, theatrical, or visual, was preceded by heartfelt testimony. These weren’t rehearsed anecdotes—they were sacred stories. Raw. Honest. Uplifting.
Josh Gittens, a worship leader from Hyland Heights Baptist in Lynchburg, offered a stirring set of worship songs, his rich voice echoing with truth and humility. “These songs were written in my darkest hours,” he said, “but God was still there—still singing over me.”
Chris McQuistion, with his award-winning song “Seasons”, invited the room into a vulnerable journey of grief and hope. His gentle demeanor and soulful performance brought tears to many eyes.
Cheyanne Arredondo shared how her time growing up in the performing arts in Los Angeles was redirected by God into storytelling for His glory. “My art used to be for approval. Now, it’s an offering.”
Taylor Zielke—a poet and worship leader—stood quietly before the crowd before delivering a spoken word piece that felt more like a psalm than a performance. Drawing inspiration from King David’s “Miktam” songs, his rhythmic verses reverberated in the room with the ache and glory of honest worship.
Henry Brickey, joined by members of his musical ministry team, turned the room into a revival service with his hip hop, gospel-infused worship. His testimony about launching Celebrate Recovery in Roanoke this year was both convicting and encouraging.
Cheyenne Renee, muralist on a “50 in 50” mission. “Every state needs beauty. Every wall needs light. Every person needs Jesus.”
Sharron Vass, one of the producers and an exhibiting artist, reflected, “This night wasn’t just about displaying our gifts—it was about giving them back to God, together. The Spirit was here.”
Scott Maynard described the experience of live painting during the worship as "a divine dialogue.” His brush strokes, made in rhythm with worship music, seemed to dance on the canvas.
Even the youngest presenters left a powerful impact.
Will Frankie, only 14, courageously stepped into the spotlight to deliver his first professional monologue. His voice quivered at first, but as the room held him in grace and prayer, he found his footing. The applause he received was not for performance—but for obedience.
Sophia Fisher, the 11-year-old ball of light, shared her dream of becoming a special education teacher before taking the stage with a delightful ventriloquist act that mixed comedy with charm, sparking laughter throughout the room. “God made me to love others with art,” she said, smiling. “I just want them to feel His love.”
Art That Spoke Louder Than Words
Perhaps the most quietly profound moment came when multiple artists—independently of one another—left the stage and joined guests in worship during another artist’s segment. It was a clear picture of mutual encouragement, not competition.
Between each performance, guests were encouraged to mingle, to meet the artists, to ask questions and pray. And they did. In corners of the church, people were seen laughing together, praying over one another, and encouraging the artists in deeply personal ways.
An Atmosphere of Grace and Unity
There was no green room. No velvet rope. The platform was not a pedestal, and the artists weren’t inaccessible personalities. They were friends, brothers, sisters, worshippers. One guest put it best: “I came to see an art show. I left knowing I’d just experienced a taste of heaven.”
The immersive lighting, the powerful testimonies, the warmth of the coffee house—all these elements contributed to the beauty of the evening. But the real power of IMAGO was in its heart: to remind us that God is a creative God, and that every creative expression surrendered to Him becomes worship.
The Legacy of IMAGO
IMAGO has become more than just a one-night event. It's becoming a community, a movement, and a spiritual invitation. Rob Smith’s vision, carried out with the partnership of Johnny Arredondo, Sharron Vass, and David Merritt, has grown into a sacred space for artists and attendees alike.
When asked what’s next, Rob simply said, “We listen to the Spirit. And we keep creating.”
Johnny Arredondo added, “This is the kind of event that reminds you why you got into ministry in the first place. It’s real. It’s raw. And it’s all about Jesus.”
In Closing
Whether you’re a lifelong artist, a closet poet, or someone who simply appreciates the beauty of creative expression, IMAGO was a vivid reminder that worship can wear many colors, sound many tones, and touch many hearts. On this special night in Fincastle, VA, heaven felt a little closer. Not because of the talent on display, but because of the humility, the prayers, the testimonies, and the unified voice that resounded in every brushstroke, lyric, and laugh:
“We are made in His image. And our worship is our offering.”
