"Jim and Carol put flesh on the truths of God’s call, grace, love and forgiveness in a way that touches lives and changes hearts. Their presentations at Gordon College over the past years have provided some of the most memorable moments in our chapel program. Their drama is always fresh, poignant, anchored in Biblical truth and relevant to the real-life struggles of those seeking to faithfully follow Christ. I look forward to continuing to partner with them in ministering to college students."


Dr. Greg Carmer, Dean of the Chapel, Gordon College

WHAT WE BRING
Acts of Renewal hits the spectrum from hilarity to moving truth in their plays especially designed for college audiences.  Highlighting the realities of hard issues students deal with on a daily basis, JIm and Carol use a lot of humor, heart and an honest style to communicate.

TOPICS WE COVER  
Relationships, community, family issues, struggles with addictions, brokenness, doubt and faith and more.

Jim and Carol can come to campuses for one, two to three days sharing their ministry extensively through morning chapels, evening forums and meetings in the dorms. They always make it a point to hang around after presentations talking to students until there's nobody left.

The following is a sampling of what they offer to meet the needs of your college audience. If there's a burning issue on your campus that you don't see addressed here, let them know and they'll write it. That's how most of these programs were created.

Morning Chapel
The following options of morning chapel programming fits into the typical 40-45 min. chapel time. When some schools have shorter time frames, we adapt the programming we can to fit.

DATING AND RELATIONSHIPS - Carol and Jim blend comedy and drama to explore the poignant and confusing realm of human relationships, whether it be romantic, family or community.  Each of the following comprises a chapel programming.

• LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER CONFUSING THINGS - This very funny one act looks at how in our search for God's will in relationships, we often confuse real love with what Hollywood tells us it is. We follow Chris and Rich's friendship over a ten year period as they each search for "the one" in the jungle of singledom. In the end they find the most solid, real love has been with each other in a relationship founded on friendship and reality.
• DOES GOD MAKE SENSE WHEN MY FAMILY DOESN'T? or Coming from a Broken Family Doesn't Mean a Future of Broken Relationships - Carol and Jim use theater to address the loss of the past and fears of the future of those coming from broken homes. Hopeful, Christ centered perspective on healthy relationships. Jim ends the time by sharing his own story of coming from a divorced home and Christ's healing in his life. A very impacting ministry experience for students.
• COMMUNITY - UMBUNTO - African for "I am fully human when I'm connected to God and connected to you." Chapel Looks at the grist, the humor and the pay off of risking to connect. Three funny powerful theatre pieces.

NEW COLLEGE PROGRAMMING ON STRESS AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY:

STRESS -  How  to Survive it and Help Others Survive as Well - You're overwhelmed and so is everyone around you.  Life can't get any worse and it feels like it will never change.  You're not alone and there's good news. Acts of Renewal provides funny, moving powerful theatre that explores the problem and offers some useful perspective in the midst of the stress.

STRESS -and SABBATH- Finding Balance in the Chaos - Does it all feel like too much, too fast and you can never really get ahead? Are you exhausted, reaching for elusive peace and longing for rest? Come learn some helpful tools to find balance in the chaos. Acts of Renewal presents engaging theatre and explores some spiritual disciplines that give you a way to balance the intensity.  Can the ancient/future use of Sabbath and listening prayer bring restoration to your crazy life? Come find out

We also have a condensed version that brings elements of both chapels together.

BRAND NEW
Surrendering Our False Images of God -  Part of our struggle with doubt and faith is having false images of God that get in our way of experiencing who God really is.  We use theatre to explore some of these concepts that get students laughing, but also thinking. To show more of the biblical breadth of God, we conclude with a contemporary adaptation of The Woman at the Well set in the south during the Depression. Powerful, entertaining, illuminating,  programming.

HEALING AND WHOLENESS

• A SIZE 7 FOREVER - One of our most A frequently requested programming. Carol performs her funny, moving one-woman show exploring the subject of eating disorders. The show is followed by Carol's personal testimony of a 12 year struggle with with anorexia and bulimia. The powerful story of her recovery and God's unconditional love has impacted student audiences across the country.

EVENING FORUM

The following options are theatre & teaching presentations that are great for evening gatherings. Carol and Jim make themselves available to talk with students following the presentation.

• COMMUNICATING WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX - or "What Do You Mean You Can't Understand Me?"  .Carol and Jim use the dynamic tool of interactive theatre to explore some of the problems in communication between the sexes and some basics in healthy communication skills. This has proven to be a hillarious, dynamic, highly successful way for participants to see and experience the difference between healthy and unhealthy choices. This presentation usually packs out the house.
• LSD - The Halluncinogenic Combination of Love, Sex and Dating - Sexual brokenness and sexual wholeness and how do you move towards the latter for a healthy life? Can you get out of what you've gotten into? What if one of you has had sex and the other hasn't - does that effect a marriage? Professional theatre company, Acts of Renewal, explores these issues in an entertaining, thought provoking chapel you won't soon forget.  (offered as co-ed version or Guys only version that gives freedom for guys to talk deeper and with more freedom about these issues).
• LOVE ADDICTION - You Lost that Lovin' Feeling Again - With their trademark of humor and speaking to the real world that students live in, Carol and Jim bring a theatre presentation and discussion on the subject of love addiction. What are the danger signs of unhealthy relationships and how to avoid them? How to know when you are looking for a person to give you what only God can give. How to be alone and make it a valuable healing experience.
• THIRSTING FOR WHOLENESS - Body Image and Self Acceptance (For women only) - Carol offers an engaging interactive presentation that brings a refreshing Biblical perspective on beauty from the inside out. For anyone who looks in the mirror and can not accept what they see. Presentation followed by Carol hanging out for questions and discuss

WHAT COLLEGE CHAPLAINS ARE SAYING...

"Thank you for making the Truth of God's healing power and presence come alive for our campus community. Thanks also for staying after the service and praying with and ministering to our students. Your consistent ministry at Asbury for the past ten years is truly one of the highlights of our chapel program each academic year. Again, blessings to you all. I hope to see you again soon."
Rev. Stuart A. Smith, Campus Chaplain, Asbury College

"Jim and Carol combine their gifts and understanding of theater, human behavior, and spirituality in applying biblical truth to real life. Their heart for ministry is displayed “on stage” and “off stage” as they prepare and present material that is contextualized to the needs of a specific audience. Acts of Renewal tackles difficult issues and hard questions with wisdom and sensitivity, aiming at a redemptive work that ministers to the heart."
Dr. Stephen B. Kellough, Chaplain, Wheaton College

"Acts of Renewal are fabulous! They have been at King College on many occasions and have hit a home run each time. They are relevant, timely, engaging, generous with their time, and theologically sound. They know all the points of contact with students (faculty, too) and use their considerable dramatic skills to draw their audience into the wonderful healing, transforming, challenging adventure of the gospel. I want every student generation at King to have the chance to interact with Jim Shores and Carol Anderson."
Errol G Rohr, Chaplain, King College

"The students voted Acts of Renewal best chapel of the year ."
Terry Michael Newel, Campus Pastor, Campbell University

"What a delight it was to have you on campus for the Staley Series. You contributed a great deal to our students, and many have expressed their appreciation for your ministry. Your sensitive and creative presentations will be remembered for a long time."
Stephen B. Kellough, Chaplain, Wheaton College

"Acts of Renewal is an excellent ministry that communicates to the learning styles of today's students. Jim and Carol's Christian witness, quality acting and relevant plays touch the hearts, challenges the minds and involves the senses of the students. They received an enthusiastic response from Bethel students during their recent visit to our campus."
Eldon Fry, Campus Minister, Bethel College

"Jim and Carol performed on our campus for a three day gender issues lecture series. "Relevant" does not say enough Students were amazed how Jim and Carol had seemingly gotten into their heads and knew exactly what was going on in their lives. More importantly there were willing to talk to students long after the "performance" was over. They are welcome on our campus anytime."
Gary Sivewright, VP for Campus Ministries/Chaplain, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

"Jim and Carol put flesh on the truths of God’s call, grace, love and forgiveness in a way that touches lives and changes hearts. Their presentations at Gordon College over the past years have provided some of the most memorable moments in our chapel program. Their drama is always fresh, poignant, anchored in Biblical truth and relevant to the real-life struggles of those seeking to faithfully follow Christ.  I look forward to continuing to partner with them in ministering to college students."
Dr. Greg Carmer, Dean of the Chapel, Gordon College

"Jim and Carol have a remarkable ministry. Their content is outstanding and their delivery world class. Crown students absolutely loved them and are already clamoring for them to come back. The same thing happened when I was at Gordon where Jim and Carol were our highest rated speakers every time they came."
Gary Stratton, Vice-President for Student Development, former Dean of the Chapel Gordon CollegeCrown College

"I can't thank you enough for the great time our campus had with you when you were with us. The sense of joy. humor and insight that you brought to complex situations was refreshing."
Rev. Jodi Mullen Fondell, Chaplain, North Park College

"Last evening was a grand occasion. You guys are really gifted and expert at communicating with undergraduate students."
James Pitts, Chaplain, Furman University

"It is rare to find actors who are not just the finest actors of our time, but also have real depth to them."
Lawrence Witherspoon, M.Div., Director, Campus Ministries, Azusa Pacific University, CA

"Thank you for making the Truth
of God's healing power and
presence come alive for our
campus community"