VeggieTales is the brand name for a lineup of animated videos and products featuring a lovable cast of characters that run counter to contemporary Hollywood anti-heroes. They are, well, vegetables. They champion biblical morality for today’s children through creative media. It’s a responsibility that VeggieTales’ parent company, Big Idea, takes seriously.

“We are story tellers,” said Terry Pefanis, Big Idea’s chief operating officer. “That is where our focus is.”
From biblical venues to Colonial America, to contemporary settings in Australia’s Outback, VeggieTales’ characters successfully communicate biblical truths and values by using tongue-and-cheek humor with millions of children.
However, they are more than story tellers. They are innovators and savvy entertainment professionals committed to maintaining relevancy. They do so by employing leading edge technology to insure that their biblical message is communicated in an engaging fashion.

In 1993, a year and a half before the first and immensely successful Toy Story movie appeared, VeggieTales co-founders Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki developed the first computer generated long form video. Created in an obscure storefront near Chicago’s north shore, Where’s God When I’m S-Scared? sold 130,000 copies during its first two years, mainly through word-of-mouth. Four years later, however, it had sold a startling 3,000,000 copies. VeggieTales was fast becoming one of the most popular selling children’s video series in the world.

The company’s first-ever feature film, Jonah - A VeggieTales Movie, in 2002 grossed over $25 million at the domestic box office. Big Idea became recognized as the leading producer and creator of values-based products reflecting a Judeo-Christian world view in the family entertainment industry.

According to Becky Wilson, a buyer for LifeWay Christian Stores, VeggieTales’ has had an enormous impact on the sales of children’s products. “VeggieTales has opened the door for many publishers and entertainment companies,” said Wilson. “So little was available for children in the CBA (Christian Bookseller Association) market before VeggieTales. VeggieTales has spawned so much demand (for these type products). CBA kid’s products sales have more than quadrupled in the last six years because of the influence of Big Idea.”

All totaled, nearly 40 million VeggieTales videos have been sold. Other VeggieTales products include plush toys, toys sets, books, apparel, music and a host of licensed products. VeggieTales Sunday School curriculum will be released later this year.

Vegetables became the main characters primarily for pragmatic reasons. “Computer animation then was very limited,” said Pefanis. “It was hard to draw arms and legs and animated limbs in the early 90’s.” “So we used simple characters to tell our story,” added Nawrocki. “Their eyes and mouths and basic body movements get the attention (of viewers). The environments have become more elaborate while the characters have remained the same.” Nawrocki is also a writer and director plus the voice of Larry the Cucumber and six other characters. Characters have evolved from individuals encountered by co-founders Vischer and Nawrocki. “The first character was Larry the Cucumber,” said Nawrocki. “He needed a friend, so we created Bob the Tomato. They’re both based on the personalities of Phil and me. This made it easy, relying on our own friendship and humor.

“Jimmy and Jerry the Gourds came from landlords of ours,” continued Nawrocki. “Madame Blue Berry was my mother and Junior the Asparagus is Phil’s wife, Lisa. Some characters were Monty Python inspired.”

In time, new characters were added for specific shows, only to return for encore performances in subsequent videos.
Vischer, who still resides and works out of Chicago, and Nawrocki have been friends since 1984. They met serving on a puppet team at St. Paul Bible College in Minnesota (now Crown College). The chemistry between the two was both instantaneous combustion and enduring.

Big Idea has been able to maintain its technological edge through a partnership with DKP Effects in Toronto, Canada. “They really have the most advanced state-of-the art animation tools,” said Pefanis. Being Christian parents with young children also helps keep the VeggieTales brand, and its videos in particular, relevant to today’s families. “Trying to teach our own kids what it means to love their family was a big inspiration for the lesson in Duke and the Great Pie War," said Nawrocki.

As important as remaining technologically innovative, maintaining biblical integrity is equally critical. “For us, (reinforcing a Judeo/ Christian world view) is why we got into it in the first place as Christians and Christian parents; to make shows for our kids and other’s kids,” said Nawrocki. “I am committed to seeing that happen.”

For instance, the Jonah movie was based on a study of the book of Jonah by a North Carolina pastor. Nawrocki and Pefanis are steadfast in remaining biblically sound in the lessons Big Idea products teach.


Big Idea moved to Tennessee after the company came up for sale. “The Christian entertainment industry is headquartered in Nashville,” said Pefanis. “A lot of companies, creative song writers, authors, and musicians live in the Nashville area. (We moved here) to become more closely connected with the industry.” About 30 people work at the company’s headquarters.

Will there be a noticeable Southern flavor to VeggieTales? “In Minnesota Cuke, The Search for Samson’s Hairbrush there is a map of the world and one of the first stops is Franklin, Tennessee,” recalled Nawrocki. “We’ve talked about doing a third Larry Boy (video) and using a scene of downtown Franklin.” They’ve also used a Tennessee license plate on a car in one video scene.

Southerners can look to see more of their region’s influence in subsequent VeggieTales projects. With its commitment to great stories, leading edge technology and biblical integrity, Big Idea’s multi-million dollar ‘creative alternative’ will provide family entertainment with a Judeo/Christian world view for years to come.

VeggieTales products are sold at local Christian stores and many national retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart. For more information about VeggieTales, including safe, online games, visit the web site www.bigidea.com.
– Hamp Morrison

Christus Gardens
Family vacations are often filled with roller coasters and sunburns. In fact, as the old saying goes, we often need a vacation to recuperate from vacation. Recently our family found a couple of hours of solitude and reflection while visiting Christus Gardens in Gatlinburg, Tennessee amidst vacation time.

The Southeast Tourism Society dubbed Christus Gardens “Travel Attraction of the Year” in 2001 and it is considered to be America’s #1 religious attraction. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to see if all the fuss was worthy. As it turned out, my family was captivated by this attraction and it created a quiet, family event in the middle of a hectic vacation. We experienced, as a family, this powerful story featuring a journey through life-size scenes depicting the life of Christ. Each scene was filled with life-like Biblical figures dramatically surrounded by special effects and lighting, narrations, and choral music. My children were mesmerized…their eyes never moved from the scenes.

The tour ends in the meditation garden which is also home to the world famous face of Christ sculpture carved in a six ton block of rare Italian Carrara Marble. As the most photographed object in Gatlinburg, the face of Christ seems to follow you across the garden, not in an eerie way, but in a subtle “I’m watching over you” kind of way.

Christus Gardens also offers a rare Biblical coin collection and an Heirloom Bible collection. In the main rotunda oil paintings silently communicate nine of the 39 parables of Christ – a beautiful collection. In 2003, Christus Gardens unveiled a diorama: Christ at Prayer in the Garden, based upon the beloved painting by Heinrich Hofmann. This diorama is brought to three dimensional life by Gems of London and Christus Gardens Art Director Mark Pedro. “We hope you find the Diorama to be a reminder and reinforcement of the incredible power of prayer,” says Ronald S. Ligon, founder of Christus Gardens.

Mr. Ligon brought his dream to life in August of 1960 with the opening of the gardens. His inspiration was very personal. Ronald suffered from tuberculosis during his second year of college at Vanderbilt University in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. He endured an extended hospital confinement and had several experiences in which this illness almost took his life. Christus Gardens serves as a memorial expressing his gratefulness to divine providence for his recovery.

Much thought and time went into the preparation and selections at the gardens. For instance, the wax figures were created by world renowned Gems, Ltd., of London and the costume assignment went to B.J. Simmons, Ltd., of London, the company responsible for the wardrobes in epic motion pictures such as Ben Hur and Quo Vadis.

Situated in downtown Gatlinburg on River Road, Christus Gardens is open daily (except for Christmas Day) rain or shine. Hours: (April – October) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the last tour at 8:15 p.m. and (November – March) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last tour at 4:15 p.m. The gardens offer free parking and have handicap accessibility. Call for group rates at 865-436-5155 or visit them on the web at www.christusgardens.com.

– Becky J. Beall

Responding to the widespread devastation caused by the recent hurricanes, people all over the country have their checkbooks out, ready to give. But will your money go where you want it? Who should you make your check out to? Renata Rafferty, an expert and author on charitable giving, offers the following advice:

WAIT! When disaster strikes, Americans get generous. But with the recent hurricanes’ full effects slowly becoming apparent, few charities have completely defined their relief action plan. Once these are in place, they will let you know how you can best help.

FOLLOW! With tens of thousands of victims being moved to outlying areas, local charities will need help supporting and sustaining relocated families. Direct your donations to these areas and charities outside the immediate disaster zone.

ANTICIPATE! The full effects of water-borne illness, contaminated food supplies, long-term unemployment and regional recession/depression will not be apparent for some time. The need for support will shift from immediate disaster relief to the rebuilding of lives, infrastructures and economies.

Lessons learned from giving to previous disasters apply to Katrina and Rita donations as well:

• Never respond to telephone or e-mail solicitations for donations.
• Always specify on your check how you want your donation to be used.
• When in doubt, verify a charity’s legal status at www.guidestar.org or with the local Better Business Bureau.
• Refrain from collecting clothing, bedding or household items until a charity has agreed to accept such articles.
• Ensure any donations via the Internet are made over a secure, encrypted connection.

Finally, remember the charities in your home community. With so much attention focused on Katrina and Rita relief, local organizations will no doubt face their own fundraising challenges as they continue to meet the ongoing needs of every community.Long-Term Grant Support for Faith-Based Organizations

Providing Hurricane Katrina Relief
In the aftermath of the mounting devastation left along the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, faith-based organizations, both large and small leapt into action. Their vast armies of volunteers were mobilized and their network of financial support galvanized.
Some of these organizations do not have the support of seemingly limitless financing and volunteer troops to go national or even regional. However, this has not stopped their commitment to serve the community and help those in need.
The question now is, “How long can these faith-based organizations with limited financial resources continue to provide support to people who will need it for the long haul?” The answer is, “Not long enough without local or Federal financial assistance.” So what can faith-based organizations do when their money runs out?
Finding Grant Support
At the writing of this article, the U.S. Congress had budgeted $51.8 billion in addition to $10.5 billion it had already earmarked for Katrina relief. Some estimates put the total Federal dollars budgeted for Katrina at around $200 billion over the next two to three years.
What does this mean to local faith-based organizations that have stepped up to the plate and become their brothers’ keepers? This means that, with careful planning and decisive action, these organizations can continue to provide much needed support to people in the Gulf Coast affected by the hurricane with the help of Federal dollars.
President Bush has made his Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Program a centerpiece of his administration’s domestic agenda. In 2004, over $2 billion was awarded to faith-based organizations to support community efforts. In light of the nation’s recent tragedy, more faith-based organizations should begin to apply for these Federal funds to support their community outreach efforts.
Trinitee Group & Associates, LLC, an Atlanta area grant writing firm with more than 20 years of experience writing successful proposals offers seminars, continuing education classes and customized courses to individuals and churches interested in learning to write grants. Students will learn the basic steps to identifying and writing a successful grant proposal. Trinitee Group also offers contractual services to write grants for faith-based organizations.
In the case of Katrina relief funding, much of the money that has been budgeted by Congress will be funneled to provider organizations through Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Programs. A grant writing firm should know where to find these grant opportunities, how to determine your eligibility and how to apply for the funds.
Local churches should just remember that planning ahead and preparing for expansion of their programs is a way to help our Gulf Coast neighbors over the long term. Don’t be afraid to broaden local outreach and ministry programs by tapping into Federal support. Trinitee Group & Associates will be offering a Faith-Based Grant Writing Seminar, November 19th, 2005. To register or for more information visit their website at www.triniteegroup.com.
Sherry Ballenger & Angela Christopher are co-owners of Trinitee Group & Associates, LLC
Questions or comments regarding this article can be directed to them via the following means:
Phone: 404-429-7099
Fax: 770-322-6306
Email: saballenger@triniteegroup.com, adchristopher@triniteegroup.com or info@triniteegroup.com
Website: www.triniteegroup.com
– Sherry A. Ballenger, MPH, ACHE
& Angela D. Christopher, MS
Trinitee Group & Associates, LLC, Atlanta, GA

Identity Theft. It has become the boogie man of our day. Just as we were powerless against Freddie Kruger invading our dreams, we fear the nameless, faceless scum who sneak into our private credit information and use it for their gain. We dread the resulting financial ruin and the process of picking up the pieces of our shattered lives and restoring what we once had.

The truth is, identity theft is a real issue and we should all take precaution to protect our personal information. It is also true that most of us have never been a victim of identity theft, and most likely never will. However, so much attention has been placed on the theft of our earthly identity that many Christians don’t even realize that millions of us have already given away our true identity.

Consider the person who is so obsessed with money that their identity has become a large home or an exclusive country club. How about the person whose job has actually become their identity? Still others identify themselves as failures due to financial trouble or other money issues. We all suffer in this area to varying degrees. We have given away our eternal identity in favor of some temporary pleasure or problem and have forgotten where we came from and the source of our real identity. Jesus called it two thousand years ago. If you want to see the true heart of a person, watch how they spend their money.

Your true identity, your eternal identity needs to come from something more powerful than a car, clothes or house. Your identity comes from God. We are all creations of God, made in his image. He made us specifically unique and knows each one of us by name. Our identity as Christians comes from living a life that reflects the beliefs and values that God has set before us. Not the beliefs and values of our culture.

So, if you have lost your true identity or given it away in favor of some money related issue, how do you go about getting it back?

Here’s a simple exercise:
1. Make a list of the financial values that are truly important to you. Some examples might be; Living debt free, saving for retirement, tithing or teaching your children responsible money management. Make a list that’s right for you, but try to include some values that relate to debt, saving and giving.

2. Next to each value, rank on a scale from 1-10 the importance of this value in your life. If it’s not so important it might be a five. If it’s very important, it might be a nine or ten.

3. Then, rank on a scale from 1 – 10 the effort you are putting into living these values on a daily basis. For example, if tithing is important and you ranked it a 9, but you only give sporadically you might rank your effort as a 4.

4. Compare the two numbers. Are there gaps between your beliefs and behaviors? We call this difference, ‘interference’.

5. If you are married, compare your answers. Are your values the same? Most likely, there will be some differences. Couples typically spend little time discussing their financial values. There is an assumption that because you are married, you must have my same exact financial values.

If you are like most people we work with, you have some areas of interference in your life. Sadly, most people don’t give this issue much thought. However, if you are ever going to attain real financial freedom and maintain your eternal identity, you should consider examining the interference that gets between your financial beliefs and your financial behaviors.

Sometimes this interference can be big. If you believe that your identity comes from material things, you may have some serious work to do. However, many times interference is due to fatigue, busy schedules, fear, guilt or simply the way your parents raised you to handle money. Sometimes it comes when we move away from God. Whatever it is, and wherever it comes from, the first step to clearing out interference is admitting it. Then you can begin conquering it and reclaiming your real identity.

Read Luke 12: 4 – 7. It will help you gain some perspective on what’s really important in our lives.
The book of Revelation teaches us that we can’t take our wealth with us and it won’t get us into heaven. Take some time to examine your financial beliefs and behaviors before your give away your real identity.

What is causing interference in you life? Drop us a note and tell us what things stop you from realizing your financial beliefs. We will share your observations, but not your name, in a future column. Write us at storingtreasures@hotmail.com.

– Bill Gatewood & Mike Haswell

You have a whole month under your belt, and only 8 more to go! School’s in session and our lives go back to the structure that we have all grown so accustomed to over the years. Up at 6:30 a.m., bus arrives at 7:15 a.m., kids arrive home at 2:45 p.m. Your particular schedule may be different, but the common word in every household for the past few weeks has been “schedule.” Schedules are good, and often offer the structure that the summer doesn’t demand.

Think about it. Twelve years of our children’s lives are spent in school. That is one third of each and every 24-hour day, two-thirds of each and every calendar year, and two-thirds of their 18 years under your roof! Though very important and very beneficial, this is an amazing amount of time, isn’t it? Time well spent, of course.

Some parents love the summer months when life relaxes its demanding pace and offers time for vacations and summer fun. They plan outings, organize day trips and learning adventures, viewing the time as positive involvement in their child’s life – the kind of involvement memories are made of. I love to hear the hearts of parents like this. Donja Groves is one such parent – she is one the best moms in all the world! Her girls are a priority and it shows in the lives of those girls.

Other parents almost loathe the thought of having their kids home for the summer and talk about having to “entertain” them and talk of having to keep them “busy” all summer (8-10 weeks - now less than ever before). Some parents have a concern for finding “childcare” during this time, since school provides this while they are working. Summer is a time when your kids are completely dependant on you for each day’s plan for their care. This can be overwhelming, whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a full-time working mom.

I also understand the party when kids return to school. Some friends of mine go out to lunch together to “celebrate” the first day of school, but these are also moms who have spent the summer (making some of those memories I was talking about) with their kids and deserve the party! I rejoice with them, because I know that they understand the balance between motherhood’s responsibilities and privileges, and the importance of their own womanhood.

When you think about the important role of a parent in the lives of young people, you can’t help but take your investment seriously. It is such a short span of time that we have them, and since you can never get those years back, making the best decisions during that time will make for many future years without regret.

Equally important during the school year would be the partnership between parent and teacher. My daughter-in-law, Annie is a teacher in the Gwinnett school system. I know the kind of time and energy she puts into her class. Let’s don’t forget how much our teachers need our prayers and support. They are hard-working, caring individuals who are extremely committed to your child’s physical, emotional, social, and educational needs.

Teachers do not go into their profession for the money, the prestige, or the power since there is not much of any of these offered to them. They go into the field of teaching because they believe in education, and they believe that their investment in your child’s life will make a difference. Just think of what can be accomplished for your child if you make an equal or greater investment.

Each year you should rejoice with the structure the school year provides you by partnering with your teachers to accomplish their goals. Find out what you can do to assist them with educating your child – it is still YOUR child, you know. Their education is not solely in the hands of the schoolteacher. Your child needs to be ready to go to school physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

You package and send your child to your teacher each and every day. You send them in a willing, polite and respectful package eager to be educated, or you send them in a reluctant, adverse, and disrespectful package indifferent to learning. This “packaging” happens at home.

Parents whose attitude is one of appreciation, trust, and positive reinforcement will send their child to school with the physical and emotional strength to thrive in their educational pursuits! Parents who view their school as a free, 8-hour childcare facility that simply keeps their child busy or entertains them while they work will not see the same positive results. (And all the teachers said. . . “AMEN!”)

Partnering with your child’s teacher is an easy thing if you do it regularly. Know what is happening in your child’s class. Ask them specific questions about their day that require more than a “yes”, “no”, or “fine” answer. Send a note to your child’s teacher once a month encouraging them, appreciating them, or just touching base with them. Be involved in the learning process. Not too involved – I might add – let your child do the work and let them suffer the consequences for their own poor planning, etc.

Your child and your child’s teacher need your attention, your kindnesses, your understanding, and your participation in the process of their school life. No one else can do the positive things that you can do for your children. No one could ever mean as much to them as you could. No one’s love, attention, or forgiveness will ever be as beneficial to their physical, emotional, or spiritual health as yours is. And no one will ever deserve the right to celebrate the outcome or result of your investment in their lives like you will!!

Because Family Matters!
— Stephanie Wolfe

It is surprising how many Christian singles choose to move in with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Satan motivates people to “test drive” their relationship by reasoning, “If we live together, we can see how well we get along. Then, if we don’t like each other, we can easily break up without the entanglements of marriage.” This may sound like wise advice, but I must bluntly state that living together makes no sense whatsoever.

The truth is that if you live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, pay the same bills, and have sex with your boyfriend or girlfriend, you are already married. The difference is that you are too selfish to make your marriage official with a commitment. Remember that sex bonds people together; a paper marriage license doesn’t.

If you move in together and start fooling around, you will bond your hearts together just as a married couple does. Once you bond sexually, there is no turning back. You may think that moving in together is a relationship test, but in reality, you have already joined yourself to someone. Should you decide to break up, you will suffer the same emotional consequences as any divorcing couple does.

On the other hand, some singles, usually women, believe that living together will increase their chances of getting their boyfriends to marry them. They rationalize that a little sex will convince him to get serious. However, moving in together does not encourage anyone to commit. Instead, it discourages people from getting married, because they can have all of the sex, financial support, and companionship they want for free. In their minds, why should they marry when they already have everything they want with no strings attached?

Moving in together indicates that a couple wants all of the positives of marriage (sex, intimacy, security, companionship, etc.) without having to invest in it. Yet, people cannot obtain the benefits of marriage unless they selflessly commit themselves to another person. You cannot have real intimacy without sacrificial love and a commitment. These qualities are absent when a couple lives together.
Cohabitation encourages a relationship to fail because it is founded on selfishness. In essence, pleasure and convenience are more important than the other person’s well-being. Thus, you cannot live with someone and justifiably say, “I love you.” If you really love that person, then you will either get married or date without having sex.

--- Rob Eagar