Our Mission & History
Since 1973, ACT International has mobilized and equipped artistic and innovative ministries and missionaries for Christian work around the world.
We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3), interdenominational ministry organization that assists and sends out artistic missionaries and ministers to pursue their unique calling as it fits into the greater Kingdom work of the Christian church worldwide.
We provide artists and innovators the coaching, accountability, organization, non-profit status, and administrative systems they need to move forward in ministry.
We help the church embrace, understand, and facilitate the tremendous value of artists and the arts for Christ’s redemptive work.
Mobilizing & Equipping Innovative Ministries... Around the World
Our Objectives
To creatively evangelize non-Christian people
To edify the Church throughout the world
To mobilize ministers and missionaries who are specialists in worship with creative methods of communicating salvation through Christ Jesus
Why We Exist
We exist to address three Issues that face today’s Church:
Modern culture is oriented more toward artists than to preachers.
The Church has not always adequately understood and embraced artistic people, strategies, and methods so there are few places that integrate innovative and artistic ministry people and projects.
The Church is losing the assets of some of Her most powerful and effective servants.
Our History
ACT International was founded by Dr. Byron Spradlin in 1973. ACT International reflects more than 50 years of Byron’s career as a musician, published songwriter, Bible teacher, church planter, pastor, professor, and international specialist on worship, imagination, and arts leadership. Prior to this, in 1970, Byron wrote down the assignment from God that’s guided his ministry efforts for more than half a century, “to disciple and mentor people out of music and the arts, working them into the fabric of church, missions, and marketplace ministry around the world.”
A husband and wife team, Livingsong, ministering at the Nashville Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter that serves up to 450 nightly.
Preaching to street kids and skaters in urban St. Louis on the Xtreme Tour, a ministry that reaches young people in the USA, Asia, and the UK.
ACT staff member affirming 1 Peter 3:21, that water symbolizes salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Matt and Joanna Black communicate the gospel to the world through their music and disciple others with one-on-one relationships, workshops, and camps.