The Next Chapter

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4And let endurance have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4


Hello everyone,
As many of you know, I was not able to finish the full two years of the internship program I engaged in at the Center for Creative Media due to Financial issues. I wish that I could have stayed for the rest of the term
and completed what I had started, but God has something else in mind. Not to say that I did not complete what I was intended to complete, God knows and I am fully trusting in Him.
I had been in Texas for about 15 months and I had the experience of a lifetime. I received valuable training, both professionally and spiritually, irreplaceable tools that I will be able to use in the entertainment business
and to be a missionary and spread the light of the gospel in Hollywood.

The opportunities that I had we're not only training and hands-on experience, but were at the same time fulfilling the great commission given to us by the King, (Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). I was a part of producing and broadcasting several youth events that brought the truth and love of Jesus to the teens that attended. Two of these events usually get broadcasted live around the world, one from New York, and the other from Hamilton, Ontario. I was given the position of camera 2 on both of these events, now I have to be honest, doing camera for live TV is not something I enjoy. If your camera is on sticks than you just stand there panning and tilting the camera around shooting the guy talking on stage, not really exciting! There are times, if the event calls for it, where you are shooting a band or drama, and those allow you to be more creative with your shots but you are still limited to one spot, and let me tell you after 20 hours of this it can get very boring... but I realized two things from this: Creatively, it is definitely a big challenge to you as an artist, to train your eye to find those interesting, beautiful shots even when you think you've used them all! Biblically, I was part of broadcasting the message of Jesus all over the WORLD! This alone is HUGE!! It was an epiphany to me.

I guess growing up I always thought that "ends of the earth" meant that you had to go be a missionary and give up all your dreams and go live in africa with the wildebeests and tell people about Jesus! and man, telling people I knew about Jesus was scary enough, telling people who don't even speak the same language, and might possibly kill me!!? that's insane! but here I was behind a camera capturing an event, that has changed the hearts and lives of millions of people for Jesus, and bringing it to the world, I was fulfilling the great commission and living my dreams at the same time! You see, God has given me this dream, this desire in my heart(Psalm 37:4), for media and cinematography and he was using it to further His Kingdom. God IS glorious!

Another aspect of my training was just simply living. Living the lifestyle of someone in the entertainment industry(working a lot of crazy hours and sometimes weekends and exhausting yourself creatively), while still maintaining a healthy spiritual life,(i.e. Spending time with Jesus, fellowship with believers, accountability..etc.) This was all a part of the internship and something now more than ever I am grateful for. This of course would be impossible without other believers to work and live along side. God brought into my life amazing people. The friendships that I formed could never be replaced and I would never want to. Together we brought strength and unity into our workplace and our daily lives. We learned how important it is to be open and honest with each other, to keep each other on track and accountable. The Body of Christ needs to work together in order
to work correctly and efficiently. I am so thankful for the friends that I have made at CCM.

I am thankful to you for your prayers and support in this chapter of my life, it was invaluable and greatly appreciated. This is just a small bit of my experience over the past year and a half, I have learned so much in my time
at CCM, and I know I have so much to learn. I appreciate your continued prayers and support as I move on to the next chapter in my life. As I start my career and follow God as He guides me in that area. As I apply what I have been instructed with wisdom and the Holy spirit.
I am going to work freelance for the production company that I worked for before I went to CCM. I also want to work toward starting my own production co. doing work on the side. We're planning another Blood and Water music video for their new album they are working on, and we have some other projects in the concepting stage that I am really excited about! Also I am looking to do some Photography work(Family portraits, Weddings, business...etc.) so if you know of anybody in the market for some photos, let them know that I am available for hire.

Again I appreciate your prayers, encouragement and support as I pursue God's plan and direction for my life. You are on my heart as well and I lift you all up in prayer as you continue down the road of life seeking God
in all things.

Stay Frosty.

Ben Figueiredo