How This World-Class Artist—an Atheist—Followed God's Direction in a Park, and was Moved to Worship in a Port-a-Potty

Aimee Herd : Apr 26, 2016
CBN News

The artist was standing on top of the seat to avoid the overflow of the filthy restroom, completely overcome and "bawling" as the song reached the powerful chorus. 

(United Kingdom)—CBN's John Jessup interviews British artist, sculptor and evangelist, Charlie Mackesy, in a video where he describes some of the first encounters the artist had with Jesus Christ. (Screengrab via CBN News)

"Jesus quietly introduced me to a journey into finding people really beautiful, which is how my art really began," explains Mackesy. "I felt He was beside me going 'Look how beautiful is that guy sitting on that bench,' and I would never have noticed him before."
 
Mackesy's artwork carries such emotion, whether a painting, a drawing or his beautiful bronze sculpture called, "The Return of the Prodigal Son," which is on display at Holy Trinity Brompton.
 
But the way God uses this former atheist doesn't end there; he is also an effective and well-loved speaker and evangelist. (Screengrab via CBN News)
 
In the video interview, Mackesy describes the first time he was moved by a worship song: he was at an outdoor concert, using the portable 'loo' when a group began playing "Oh Happy Day."
 
The atheist-artist was standing on top of the seat to avoid the overflow of the filthy restroom, completely overcome and "bawling" as the song reached the powerful chorus. 
 
Describing that moment his atheism gave way to faith there in the port-a-potty, to an audience at Holy Trinity Brompton, Charlie says, "I didn't really know what happened to me... but as I was feeling it, my left foot slipped..." [Laughter]
 
Charlie told the people at Holy Trinity, "I thought Christianity was 'be clean, come to church, be nice, don't use the f-word, and you'll be accepted in life... it's a meritocracy.' And [God] says, 'You're loved, you're loved as you are.'" (Screengrab via CBN News)
 
Holy Trinity Brompton Vicar, Nicky Gumbel said of Mackesy, "I think he's the finest evangelist in the UK at the moment. People outside the Church, I would rather take them to hear Charlie than anybody else in the UK."
 
To that, Mackesy laughs saying, "That's completely ridiculous!"
 
Watch this entertaining video interview, which contains footage of Charlie's beautiful artwork by clicking here.