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We are excited to offer this event at no cost to you. Just show up with your creativity, passion and wonder.

Creativity & Innovation

Saturday, September 19th

4:00PM - AI & Art Forum & Q/A

5:45PM - Worship

6:30PM - Artist Spotlight & Reflection

7:00PM - Creativity Session W/Joelle

8:00PM - Closing Session & Commissioning

Schedule:

A space for creatives to Express, Engage, and Encourage.

We believe we are all creative. Whether you make films, write songs, build businesses, design websites, create visual art, tell stories, lead worship, write poetry, develop technology—or simply find yourself drawn to making and imagining new things—there is a place for you here.

Express your unique perspective through conversation, art, storytelling, poetry, film, music, and more.

Engage with beauty and wrestle with what it means to make things in a world shaped by technology, culture, and AI.

Encourage one another by sharing stories, building community, collaborating across disciplines, and reminding each other that we don't have to create alone.

Outsiders is a free, two-evening conference for Christian creatives and innovators who are looking for a place to belong, connect, learn, and be encouraged.

This year, we'll explore community, collaboration, creativity, and the ethical questions surrounding AI and art. Through keynotes, conversations, creative work, and opportunities to connect with others, we'll ask what creativity is, why it matters that we make things, and what it looks like to reflect the creativity of God in every part of our lives.

Come as you are. Bring your questions, your work, your curiosity, and your perspective.

You don't have to be a professional artist to be a creative. You just have to be willing to make, imagine, explore, and share.

Friday, September 18th

5:30PM - Intro / Fellowship / Coffee

6:30PM - Worship

7:00PM - Community & Collaboration W/Betsy

7:45PM - Short Film Screening

8:00PM - Creativity Session W/ Joelle

There is room for you to roam here on the Outside.

Meet the peeps

Meet the peeps

Betsy Marvin is a writer, speaker, podcast host, and lifelong creative who loves finding fresh ways to connect the truth of God’s Word to everyday life. As the host of Everyday Faith for Her, she combines storytelling, biblical teaching, and practical application to help women experience Scripture in meaningful and relatable ways. With more than 35 years of ministry experience, Betsy believes creativity can be a beautiful tool for communicating timeless truth—and she loves encouraging others to use the gifts God has given them.

Betsy has been married for 39 years to a very creative, artistic guy and they have 2 adult children, a son-in-law, and a grandbaby. They live in Grand Rapids, MI where they enjoy family game nights, grilling out, and butter pecan ice cream.

Betsy - Keynote

Marcus Clarke is a Tejano American artist, curator, and educator whose transdisciplinary practice spans installation, sculpture, video, print, and curation. His work investigates the affective and symbolic language of American Christianity, such as its contradictions, theatricality, and syncretism with consumer culture and the attention economy, through objects and environments that are sentimental, satirical, and playful.

In addition to his studio practice, Clarke has taught at the University of Texas at San Antonio, College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Visual Arts at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He holds an MFA in Sculpture and New Media from UTSA (2025) and has studied at Duke Divinity School, Pratt Institute, and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Marcus - Featured Artist

Yejin Jang (Esther) is a multidisciplinary designer and abstract artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is passionate about creating user-centered work that approaches design with empathy, compassion, and care.

Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Yejin spent 19 years as a Missionary Kid (Third-cultured Kid) and has since lived in and experienced different cities and cultures. These experiences have shaped the way she sees people, communities, and the world, inspiring her to create work that connects across cultures and perspectives.

Believing that creativity and empathy can create meaningful change, Yejin is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of those who encounter her work. She holds a B.Des. in Communication Design from Emily Carr University of Art + Design and is continuing her journey by exploring the intersection of design, art, and ministry. Also with the call to ministry, she is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Calvin Theological Seminary.

Outside of her studies, Yejin embraces a variety of creative and community-centered pursuits, including freelance design, abstract painting, risograph printing, singing, and volunteering. She also enjoys sitting in a café, grabbing an iced vanilla latte, and watching the day go by.

Esther - Featured Artist

Eliza has been singing for as long as she can remember, doing choir and musicals in school and joining her church’s worship team in 2020. She spent 6 months in Europe in 2023 doing a discipleship training school through Youth With a Mission and leading worship in many different environments. In April of 2024 she started to pursue a career in ministry as a worship leader at Encounter church. Currently she works at Encounter church as a worship leader and is getting a degree in biblical studies! The desire of Eliza’s heart is to see people have an encounter with God through the environment of worship and to see people freed from fear and willing to worship God without reservation. There is no greater joy than being in the presence of the Lord and giving Him the glory He is so worthy of!!

Eliza - Worship Leader

Noah is a West Michigan creative who dabbles in various mediums, but his true passion is being behind a camera. Attending Cornerstone University attaining a degree in Film & Video Production, Noah has experience in the corporate and non-profit filmmaking industries with an emphasis in a documentary style. He is extremely passionate about Theology and beauty and is excited for Outsiders to be a space where those two things collide. Noah is currently attending Calvin Theological Seminary pursuing an MDIV with the hopes of becoming a Chaplain.

First getting the idea for Outsiders in 2021, Noah has been prayerfully considering what making a space for Christian Creatives would look like. After many conversations with many people connected to the conference, he is excited to finally see this dream come to life. Without the support of the creative community this event would not be possible and Noah is deeply thankful for all the people who have poured their time and prayers into seeing this vision come together.