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American Bible Society features two local ministries on syndicated TV show and online
By WALLYCE TODD
Staff Writer
When Karl Zorowski and his family moved into a local parsonage, space was at a premium, so his artist’s drafting table wouldn’t quite fit. Now, it’s the table in the dining room or the counter in the kitchen that often provides the prop for Karl’s 2 a.m. art inspirations.
When Spencer and Sheila Baxter got involved in children’s lay ministry over two decades ago, they discovered the little ones often did not have their own Bibles. Now, their vehicle serves as their valet … bringing boxes of Bibles to a variety of locales where God calls them to serve the youngest of their Lord’s human creations.
When the American Bible Society (ABS) asked its researchers to find real-life stories of Christians who had unique ways to bring God’s Word into the world, one came across Karl’s cartoons. When ABS contacted Karl to ask about his “Church Mice” strip, the Methodist minister couldn’t resist sharing the story of his friends who have made as an integral part of their existence the giving out of the Good News.
Now, the trio who live between Whiteville and Tabor City are going to be featured on “ABS Presents” a syndicated cable TV program, scheduled to show April 22. As of April 23, the entire video feature can be found on the ABS website at www.abspresents.com/abspresents/episodes.
Karl’s cartoon career has not always been centered within the Christ-inspired arena. As a college student at North Carolina State University, he developed a following for “Joe Rat,” a mouse co-ed who appeared in the university’s newspaper, The Technician. Seven years ago, he sent his “Rat Race” cartoon strip off to all the comic strip syndicates and was rejected by every one.
Without representation from a syndicate, a cartoonist really has no way for his or her work to appear in newspapers around the country. However, when Karl’s best friend, David, suggested that Karl develop a Christian cartoon strip, neither could foresee how far flung God’s will would take the new ministry.
Like the stars are difficult to count, Karl really doesn’t know in how many countries his cartoons have appeared in print or online.
He estimates the number to be at 150 or above. “I know that they’ve been printed on every continent except Antarctica, but I know there’s someone in Antarctica who reads it (via an electronic newsletter),” states Karl.
When Spencer and Sheila began working with children, they weren’t expecting the youngsters to want to keep the Bibles the Baxters brought, but the duo soon discovered differently.
In order to meet the need they discovered among children whose homes didn’t include a Bible for each child, they purchased Bibles by the boxload.
The money for these Bibles comes out of their own pockets or from the donations of others. Children love having a Bible their own individual Bible.
In fact, the Baxters readily recollect the time with a little boy received a treat bag and a Bible for himself, and then came back to ask for one for his sibling.
The Christian couple automatically assumed he was asking for a treat bag for his brother.
“No, no, no, woman,” the little boy said to Sheila emphatically. “One of them book things,” he continued pointing to the extra Bibles in the box. Sheila and Spencer will never forget the joy they felt at this time. They thank God for giving them the opportunity to share His story.
Karl’s cartoons are an animated way to share the stories of the Bible.
He does not receive a set fee for his work. In fact, the donations he’s received would barely cover the cost of his website each year. Yet, he perseveres because he’s passionate about reaching into the world for Christ.
Dr. Robert “Bob” Hodgson Jr. of the American Bible Society said: “What is unique about Karl’s work is that he is taking us back to the earliest representation of the Bible. He is really part of an ancient tradition that uses visual and performance arts to tell the story of God’s Word.”
Hodgson continues: “There is more than one form of literacy. Karl understands that beautifully. He knows that folks want God’s Word in image and sound as well as text.”
Serving with ABS since 1991, Hodgson states this about the ministry: “Our mission at the ABS is to allow every man, woman and child to experience the life-giving message of the Bible.”
About “ABS Presents,” the multi-media program in which Karl, Sheila and Baxter will be featured, Hodgson acknowledges: “At heart, we’re Bible storytellers and we love to invite others to tell how the Bible has changed people’s lives.”
Hodgson calls Spencer and Sheila the Bible Couple. He highlights how God has used the Baxters in the lives of children, even when they couldn’t have their own.
“The Bible Couple has taken family life to a new spiritual dimension,” Hodgson notes. “They are a family without their own biological children. They have taken that biological deficit to a spiritual surplus by adopting children in their neighborhood (and beyond) and feeding them the Word of God.”
“So many people overlook children,” Sheila says from experience. She and Spencer are committed to continuing to minister to children, even garnering a charter to begin an area-wide Child Evangelism Fellowship organization in coming months. There will be lots of activities for children to experience in their after school hours, built on a foundation from the Bible.
“You need to use the right bait,” Spencer acknowledges, “but you never compromise the Word.”
As often is the case, Sheila’s comments dovetail with Spencer’s, her spouse and declared best friend. She continues: “If you’re going to set out a child on the playground, take a Bible and sit down with them and play.”
Karl loves children, too. In his late 40’s, he and his wife Cheryl (aka Skeedaddle the Clown) are expecting their second child later this year. Their four-year old daughter, Aspen, has a smile that would light up a dark room. It’s as a father, a pastor, a husband, a child of a Redeeming God that Karl gets his inspiration.
His website, www.zorowski.com, links visitors to his weekly sermons. He’s a pastor at two area churches. It also lists the terms and conditions of how to incorporate his comic strips into church bulletins newsletters, onto websites, etc.
Karl asks only for donations; his work is that of a professional artist, though he has continued to develop his strips without guarantee of reimbursement. Faith is a powerful thing. However, money matters.
Yet, even he, like the Baxters who give out of their own budget, said: “I’ve been amazed over the years at what God has done.
“There is one thing that happened with Church Mice that you could not put a money figure on. A man in England read a CM strip and for the first time in his life, he understood what being a Christian was, and he gave his life to the Lord. He spent the rest of his life telling others. When he died, his family placed the comic strip he read in his coffin.”
Karl’s eyes seemed to liquefy for a moment. “I could make a million dollars, but it wouldn’t be worth that one life.”
“It’s very humbling,” the minister and artist concluded.
The American Bible Society considers as part of its mission to be storytellers. Right here in Columbus County, it found two superb stories - examples of how mighty and meaningful is the Word of God.
“It’s a rolling stone,” Dr. Hodgson noted. He, Karl, Spencer, Sheila and the ABS team say they want to see the Bible journey all over the world, in whatever way, shape or form is most effective to reach hearts and change lives.
Editor’s Note: To see more of Karl’s comic strips, to find out how to donate to the Baxters Bible Fund and to link to websites referred to in this article, visit whiteville.com next week and click on Columbus Features ... This will be a new link on whiteville.com – your one online source for Columbus County news and more.