Welcome to the Renaissance.
To redeem, to rebuild, to restore.
rəˈneɪsəns. rebirth.
The Britannica Dictionary defines the renaissance as “a period marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom.” In the same way, we believe that a new renaissance is happening today — that we are being marked by a revival of beauty, truth, and goodness.
the vision.
To transform and renew the arts by bringing the light, truth, and beauty of Jesus Christ to artists and art communities across Canada.
the mission.
At its core, Renaissance Canada exists to support, inspire, and walk alongside artists as they discover Jesus, equipping them to shine light into the culture through their craft and impact Canada’s arts with the message of hope. Through discipleship, artistic support, and meaningful connections, we empower artists to not only flourish, but be restorers of culture and inspire hope. Our mission is to cultivate a movement where the arts reflect the goodness of God, creating a place where creativity, faith, and truth intersect, bringing life to those who encounter it.
the ethos.
We live in a world that can feel fragmented and chaotic, where beauty is sometimes hard to find amid the noise. Yet, the arts have long been a beacon of light—a way to convey hope, beauty, truth, and goodness. Why does art move us so deeply? Why does it stop us in our tracks and evoke emotions we can't easily express? Humanity has an innate longing for beauty and meaning, and art has the unique power to meet us in this place, saying what words sometimes cannot.
Artists possess an extraordinary gift: the ability to confront brokenness and injustice through their work and to inspire change without uttering a single word. Art can act as both a mirror and a balm, reflecting what is true while offering a vision of what could be. But for the arts to continue as a source of hope and light, we must support artists and nurture the creative spirit.
Renaissance Canada is inspired by the powerful call in Isaiah 61—to bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for captives, and shine light in dark places. We believe that artists play a vital role in this vision. Artisans, creators, and builders have always been set apart to bring beauty into the world. By partnering with this creative calling, we can contribute to restoring and uplifting our culture.
Our mission is clear: to redeem, rebuild, and restore. To help usher in a new renaissance of beauty and hope that speaks to our shared humanity.
Let’s get to work.
what we believe.
Renaissance Canada is a ministry of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). We are aligned with PAOC's Statement of Essential Truths and Positions and Practices. You can find the document here.
our pillars.
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conviction.
We believe that humanity is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). As God, the Creator and Master Artist, has endowed us with this likeness, we hold an inherent responsibility to create.
We affirm that the Holy Spirit empowers and calls us to create. It is not merely a gift but a command—to prepare sacred spaces where the Lord may dwell (Exodus 31).
We embrace and uphold the prophetic vision of Isaiah 61, echoed by Christ in Luke 5, that we are called and anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, to declare freedom for the captives, and to announce the year of the Lord’s favor. We are also called to rebuild ancient ruins, restore devastated places, and renew cities that have long lain in ruin (Isaiah 61:4).
Our task is to partner in liberating creation from its bondage to death and decay, bringing it into the freedom and glory that we, as children of God, experience (Romans 8:18-23). Through the fundamental act of creating, we step into this commission, joining in God’s restorative work through our craft.
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creation.
We believe that the arts are not only biblically endorsed but are also sacred. Throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we witness the sanctity of creating, crafting, and making. In Exodus 31, we encounter Bezalel and Oholiab, who are specifically called to engage in “all kinds of crafts.” Bezalel is filled with the Spirit of God, receiving wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to fulfill the work before him. Remarkably, this is the first recorded instance of the Holy Spirit coming upon a person in Scripture—and it is for an artistic purpose. This underscores that God not only values the arts but sees them as integral to building His kingdom here on earth.
With this in mind, we are reminded that artists carry a unique calling and commission: to restore beauty in the world through their work. They hold a distinct responsibility, echoing the prophetic charge of Isaiah 61, to redeem, restore, and rebuild the ruins. We are entrusted with the stewardship of our gifts and invited to partner with God, the Master Artist, in bringing healing, justice, and transformation to a world in need—through the language of beauty.
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community.
We believe that life was never meant to be lived in isolation; this is a fundamental biblical principle. The arts, however, can often be a lonely and isolating space, a reality that has had tragic consequences throughout history. We are committed to breaking this cycle by creating environments where artists feel safe, seen, known, and loved. Our goal is to support not only your well-being but also the flourishing of your craft.
This begins with community and conversation. As a foundational pillar of Renaissance, we are dedicated to establishing intentional spaces and communities where artists can connect with like-minded individuals and cultivate deeper relationships. We invite artists to dream together, create together, and work towards a brighter future for the arts and artists across Canada.
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commission.
We believe in the equipping and commissioning of the saints—including artists. Our aim is not only to provide resources and support but also to empower artists to be a light in the diverse spaces they inhabit.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians, “We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it” (Ephesians 2:10 TPT).
As masterpieces created by the Master Artist, we are called as saints to partner with His Spirit to bring forth the good works He began on earth. As a core pillar, we are committed to commissioning, supporting, and covering artists as they pursue their calling in the arts. As we send them out, our prayer is that each artist may become a beacon of light to those they encounter along the way.
Get involved!
The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. We’re always looking for people to help out and support our mission in different ways — whether that be financially, physically, or prayerfully, we want you to be part of our team! Click any one of the buttons below to get involved. Become a grower of goodness.
