In this episode, I talk about dealing with some of the most uncomfortable moments in our faith journey: being in the "Refiner's Room," stepping out of one's comfort zone in obedience and experiencing supposed silence from God. 

Verses Mentioned

Romans 8:1

2 Timothy 4:2

Judges 6:33-40

Jeremiah 1:2 

Poem Mentioned 

Beyond Water

Joannah Ekoh is an enthusiast for all things creativity, brand building and digital marketing. She started her wellness and lifestyle blog, “The Naturale Club,” in 2018/2019, her first steps in the creative world. She would go on to transform the blog into a program in her secondary school to teach young girls about the beauty of self care and wholeness. As a budding brand strategist, she works with top brands locally and internationally, to bring their blueprints to life. In 2022, she soft launched her agency ‘The Good Atelier,’ a brand building agency which aims to help birth vision, and manifest goodness through creativity and design. She hopes to expand TGA so that it includes an initiative to uplift and educate creatives. 

In this inspiring episode, Joannah talks starting before you are ready, walking an unconventional path and following God’s leading. 

Resources Mentioned 

Creativity in Crisis-Erwin McManus & Jerry Lorenzo (YouTube)

Verses Mentioned

Psalm 19:14

Luke 21:15

Psalm 73:26

In this episode, I share some musings from a week-long period of rest. In this third minisode in the "My Encounters" series, I cover the necessity of recalling, drowning out the noise in the world and seeing life through God's eyes. 

Resources Mentioned

Fear Is Not My Future-Todd Galberth, Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Bible Verses Mentioned 

Romans 8:28

John 12:29

Atinúké Seriki is bubbly, energetic and passionate about healing and restoration through the Gospel. She works as a medical doctor and writes a newsletter for her initiative, “Beauty Beyond Mirrors,” a platform centred on teaching women to behold the beauty of Jesus and reflect him to the world around us. Atinúké  is also a budding singer-songwriter. In July 2022, she released her debut EP ‘It’s Time’ where she shares her own healing experience through songs and spoken word. “Rhythm of Grace,” a fan favourite from her EP, recently received airplay on BBC Radio 1Xtra.

In this episode, Atinúké discusses God speaking through music, navigating pain through honest prayers and refining perspectives.

Resources 

Atinúké's Links 

Verses Mentioned

Psalm 18:33

1 Corinthians 9:27

Job 38-39;42

2 Corinthians 3:13-18

What happens when we prioritize seeking God for what He can do for us at the expense of seeking Him simply for who He is? In this episode, the second minisode in the "My Encounters" series, I talk about the importance of placing the greatest value on hosting God's presence in our lives and work, as creators.

Resources Mentioned 

Open Your Eyes-Stephanie Ike

Bible Verses Mentioned 

Daniel 11:32

Romans 12:2

Matthew 7:22-23

Other Resources & Verses

Nothing Like Your Presence-William McDowell, Travis Greene

Exodus 33:15

Psalm 16:11

Demilade Osunsina is the founder of Skinneeds, a brand at the intersection of God, beauty and wellness, aimed at inspiring young people to live holistically. She is an ordained Minister at The Liberty Church London and the author behind the 2022 book release, “Understanding Why God Loves You,” a story about the redemptive love of God. As the CEO of Key Garden Properties, a Real Estate firm in Lagos, Nigeria, Demi also spends her time transforming spaces into beautiful homes and implementing management systems that allow businesses to thrive.

In this episode, “Spirit & Systems,” Demi delivers a playbook for founders trying to execute vision God’s way. She talks building capacity, measuring impact and the power of prayer.

Welcome to "My Encounters," a series of short solo episodes where I share the things that Holy Spirit is teaching me, so that we can learn and grow together. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by too many opportunities or bogged down by lengthy daily to-do lists? Here is a "minisode" on choosing God's pace over ours and aligning with purpose, starting with our daily rhythm. 

Resources Mentioned

Sermon: What is My Purpose? Purpose vs Calling/The Paradox of Purpose/Charles Metcalf . 

Reach out via [email protected] or Instagram: @mycandleculture. 

lanaire aderemi is an award-winning poet, playwright and PhD researcher committed  to amplifying and archiving untold stories. She is the recipient of the 2019 Shoot Festival Artist Development Award and the 2020 Peter Gutkind Prize. In 2021, her play ‘protests, hymns and caskets’ was shortlisted for the Mustapha Matura Award. Her work on memory has appeared in the BBC, Tate Modern, Warwick Arts Centre and The Republic Journal.

In this episode, we talk about preserving joy, creating from a place of stillness and approaching life with a childlike sense of wonder.

In this first episode, I tell the story of Creative Encounters, where faith meets creativity. Creative Encounters is an extension of Candle Culture, an artistic outlet for the expression of curated sounds of worship and words of wisdom. Influenced by the essence of the podcast, I share the inspiration behind the interview series and what I hope to achieve as we go on this journey together. 

~love, Onyinye-curator of Candle Culture.

candleculture.org