Pastor Art A Ayris is founder and chairman of Florida-based comic book company Kingstone Media. He spoke with KRIS BATHER…
Pastor Art A Ayris is founder and chairman of Florida-based comic book company Kingstone Media which, as well asproducing the award-winning feature film The Touch and publishing books including Pastor Ayris’ own novel, Sudan, has published comic books focusing on stories such as those of Exodus, Moses and Revelation, sci-fi tales such as the two volume series 2048, in which the future of genetic engineering takes a dark turn, and a true tale, fittingly called The Last Convert of John Harper.
Pastor Art A Ayris.
“We do many different stories, such as sci-fi, action-adventure, Biblical epics, historical fiction, and biographical. Some are positioned so as to expose people to Biblical truth and stories and others are genre stories framed within a Christian worldview.”
Firstly, how about some background. How long have you been a pastor and when did you start Kingstone Media?
“I have been a pastor for 20 years and serve as a leader in a very entrepreneurial church that is not afraid to take risks. The comics wobbled at first but got started in 2009 in earnest.”
I understand you were initially somewhat hesitant about moving into the arts. What happened to change your mind?
“My wife is an outstanding television director and producer and we had done some things together, but I began having this overwhelming feeling that God was calling me into film and media. I of course at the time had no clue about comic books. I did a 40 day fast and said, ‘God, if you don’t speak to me I am dropping this and never picking it up again’. The sixth day after the fast God dropped to my knees the way He spoke to me and answered me. What a very transcendent moment and seminal event in my life. Then I began getting a lot of corroborating things affirming I was heading in the right direction. Our story Babylon was best TV movie in Hollywood’s Next Success and was requested by Warner Bros. Television and Intermedia. My story on Sudan was optioned for a major motion picture and began attracting A-list talent and directors. Kingstone has since received the rights back and now are developing it into a film with a film fund in LA.”
What was the reasoning behind embracing comic books as an evangelistic tool?
“‘The truth is like a lion, just let it out of its cage and it will do its work.’ (John MacArthur) We do many different stories, such as sci-fi, action-adventure, Biblical epics, historical fiction, and biographical. Some are positioned so as to expose people to Biblical truth and stories and others are genre stories framed within a Christian worldview. We just signed well-known writer Dr Marvin Olasky to a 15 comic, three graphic novel deal and his stories are imagination-expanding tales that I think will have a big impact. We should have about 30 to 35 books out by the end of this year. The goal is to have 75 plus by the end of 2011.
“The power and authority are already there in God’s Word in His story and the way the Spirit takes those stories and then reaches into the human heart with them. We are simply setting the table and giving people reasons to believe. CS Lewis viewed reason as the natural ‘organ of truth’ and imagination as the ‘organ of meaning’. He believed that the only way we grasp any idea with clarity is if we have an image associated with it. Newly appointed Vatican archaeologist Fabristo Bisconti was recently asked on why art in Italy’s ancient catacombs repeatedly depicts the same Biblical stories of salvation. His response was, ‘It was catechetical art. They were advertisements to convince people to convert’.
“Comics (are) simply a colloquial or vernacular vehicle. Our comics are presently available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and going into Portuguese next month, with other languages in the works.”
What comic book projects are you most pleased with?
“Maybe The Last Convert of John Harper – an incredible Baptist pastor aboard the Titanic. While so many were being selfish and looking out for their own necks, he was being completely selfless. When the Titanic started tilting up about 1500 people jumped in the water and he was one of these. Of the 1500 in the water, only 6 survived. Later at a Titanic survivor’s meeting a young man stood up and told how John Harper led him to Christ while he was dying.”
What have been the main obstacles for Kingstone?
“Like any new start up – raising capital. However, having raised a fair amount of capital in the non-profit sector for ministry I didn’t come into it dead cold. My sister is an MBA and she helped me in crafting the business plan. We started attracting investors and raising capital and have gotten about 75 per cent there. Actually had two investment bankers invested in us so I felt somewhat justified that we had put together a strong publishing plan. Also we were able to bring on some strong people from publishing and film for board spots and management positions.
“Looks like we now have our first Christian chain bookstore on board and another large one looking at us. We are beginning to get into churches and Christian retail stores. Interestingly, the secular press has shown interest too. Tomorrow the Orlando CBS affiliate is coming over to do a story. The Orlando Sentinel did a big front page on the front of their business section last month. Guess a Baptist pastor making comic books is not an every day event.”
And what has surprised you most about the journey thus far?
“One pleasant surprise has been all the gifted artists out there. Almost all of our artists are Marvel, DC, CrossGen etc. Their talents blow me away.”
As a pastor, have you always encouraged the use of creativity as a gift and do you believe other churches embrace the arts enough?
“Definitely, though I do not think the church as a whole embraces the arts enough. If we came together we could have a film studio more powerful than any one on earth. It could be the same with theatrical distribution, or a comics company or a television network. Instead much of our Christian television is more akin to a comedy show than serious art or dialogue.
“I can say this because I am one. Baptists are like cats. Throw them in a room and they fight and multiply. We should be looking for ways to link arms instead of bickering. I have endured a fair amount of criticism for The Touchfilm I did. I have run into some incredibly gifted people out there, they need our support.
“Media has an impact. I doubt hardly anyone in the congregation can remember less than two per cent of a sermon I might have preached. But they could tell you specific lines and scenes from our movie.”
What inspires you?
“The vision that all of us blood-purchased creatures will one day all be together on this wondrous new earth with the Lord and each other and that every day will be filled with awe, perfection, and new adventures. I have a deep responsibility and trust from the Lord to tell this incredible meta-narrative to as many people as possible.”
For more information on Kingstone’s comics, novels and films, you can check out their website at www.kingstonemedia.com.
