Background...

In August 2002, God planted a dream into the heart of Joey O'Connor for developing a creative retreat center for artists in the Church for the purpose of seeing Christ in culture through art. As the author of seventeen books for couples, parents and young adults, Joey has sought to creatively present the transforming truths of Jesus Christ through his writing. What could happen if artists of all disciplines across the broad spectrum of Christianity came together on a regular basis to create new ways of presenting the Greatest Story Ever Told? How might lives be transformed for today and all eternity?

See The Grove Story Video Interview

In September 2003, The Grove Center for the Arts & Media was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for the purpose of seeing Christ in culture through art by encouraging creativity within the Christian community. In the past two years, the Grove Center for the Arts has developed a retreat ministry, The Grove Foundation for the Arts, and a free DVD resource that has been given to over 1000 artists and churches across America and overseas.

In our brief history, The Grove Center for the Arts & Media has developed a strong board of directors with proven experience in ministry, business and the arts. The Grove also has a strong team of volunteers, Friends of the Grove, who dedicate their time for retreat planning, fundraising and ministry development. The Grove Center for the Arts & Media has raised over one million dollars in assets and pledges for the purpose of creating a dynamic, creative ministry, where people's lives are transformed through the power of Jesus Christ.

Download The Grove Annual Report (.pdf)

Our Vision

Christ in culture through art.

Our Mission

Encouraging creativity through Christian community.

Our Values

Christ, Community, Creativity, Contribution, Culture

The Need

The power of art has a tremendous influence on every day of your life. Art communicates ideas, values and philosophies that shape our perception of reality and how we live our lives. Art influences you and your family more than you may think. What music is on your teenager's Ipod? What movies do you and your children watch? What books and magazines do you read? Art and creativity touch every aspect of our lives.

Let's face it: There's also a lot of junk out there. Many art forms in our culture reflect a worldview hostile to God and everything important to us. The Grove Center for the Arts & Media is committed to creating positive changes in our culture by equipping artists and educating the Body of Christ to use all of its creative gifts for the kingdom of God.

Not only is there a need to creative positive artistic change in our culture, there is a definite need to creatively equip and empower artists and the Body of Christ. To address these needs, The Grove Center for the Arts & Media is developing:

1) A National Center for the Arts in the Church
In America, there is no national center for arts in the Church where artists from all disciplines can nurture their spiritual growth and creative vision. The Grove Center for the Arts & Media is creating this Center for the Arts on its 12 acre property in Valley Center, CA. (North San Diego County)

2) A National Network of Artists in the Church
The Grove Center for the Arts & Media is developing the first national network of artists to assist in their spiritual and professional growth.

3) The Grove Foundation for the Arts
In America, there are very few Christian foundations and churches that actually fund the arts. Since 2003, The Grove Foundation for the Arts has given over $30,000 in artistic grants, scholarships and international artistic ministry support. Each year, The Grove Center for the Arts & Media issues monetary grants for professional and emerging artists who demonstrate exemplary work reflecting the excellence of our Creator. Artists from all creative disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Our Ministries

Artist Gathering Retreats
The Art of Marriage Retreat
Spiritual Renewal Retreats
Creative Edge Artist Network
Artist Mentoring & Leadership Development
The Grove Foundation for the Arts
Resources for Artists & Churches

Our Opportunity

Located in North San Diego County, The Grove Center for the Arts & Media is developing The Grove Retreat Center, a twelve-acre retreat center for artists and others who wish to get away to connect with God and one another in Christian community. In addition to serving artists, The Grove Retreat Center will be a multi-purpose retreat center open to Christian churches, denominations and organizations for staff getaways, men's and women's retreats, and spiritual renewal retreats. All guests of The Grove will be enriched by the beauty and power of the artistic disciplines given to us by the God. Click here to see plans and renderings of The Grove Retreat Center.

Our Board of Directors...

The Grove Ministry for the Arts has developed a strong team of gifted and competent leaders to guide the development of this ministry. The Grove is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Board members include:

Rick Dunn, Pastor, Coast Hills Community Church

Christene Sloan, Visual Artist and Businesswoman

Wayne Forte, Fine Artist

Monty Kelso, Worship Leader

Bob Murphy, Businessman/Artist

Joey O'Connor, Pastor/Author, Executive Director - Read Joey's Blog