This episode of To All the Dreamers takes you on an inspiring journey alongside Jim and Cindy MacMahel, who have merged their faith and creative gifts to create impactful ministries. From childhood seeds of creativity to the influence of mentorship, they reveal the steps they took to realize their dreams. Delve into their powerful testimony of overcoming personal giants, and glean insights on how to harness courage to pursue one’s divine calling. Learn about The Revelation Collective and how they are transforming creatives’ lives around the world through their faith-infused community.
Welcome, everyone, to The Calling’s radio show to all the dreamers. I’m your radio host, Chrysandra Brunson, founder and CEO of The Calling, and it is such an honor to be with all of you today. You know, at The Calling, we have realized that so many people are afraid to go after Jesus’ calling on their lives because they are afraid to fail, and that is just plain wrong because if God has given us The Calling and we’re not living it out, we are wasting it, and we do not want you or anyone else to die with regret. That’s why we love to inspire, empower to go after Jesus is calling the best kind of eternal have immediate impact on their families. We love to different avenues from custom tools, programs, s through this radio show w on world renowned guests how they’re going after t calling and how you can d is no exception. We have dreamers that you could e are so welcome. We’re so you Jim and Cindy Michael a
JIM MCMAHEL :
Thank you so much.
CHRYSANDRA :
Thank you so much. Did I say your last name correctly?
JIM MCMAHEL :
No, I’m glad you said that. It’s MacMail. MacMail.
CHRYSANDRA :
we had to get on here pre was actually one of my qu that was um the wrong pro we’re so honored to have You know, so many people have heard of you guys and your background. Can you just share with our listeners, though, just to recall some of the leadership positions that you’ve held in the past and that you’re in currently? And we’ll start with either of you.
JIM MCMAHEL :
Yeah, yeah, sure. Why don’t you go first?
CINDY MCMAHEL :
Well, actually, I was in education for many years, so graduated from UCF with a master’s in theater, performing arts, acting. So I ended up going into the teaching profession in a preparatory school, teaching theater for many, many years, directing shows, doing that kind of thing. and actually i will say before that i was actually full-time ministry um and i was a director of drama ministry at a mega church so creating original productions and um directing and building a team and doing all the things that come with that amazing creative role um but yeah that’s that’s kind of like my my history i will say the last few years have been very different i was an entrepreneur solo for a little while as a performing arts coach um then i was on staff um and kids ministry as a you know kids director so now we’re running multiple businesses another ministry for creatives and um we’re super busy but we love all that we’re doing yeah incredible cindy
JIM MCMAHEL :
Yeah, so mine, I’ve always been, I guess, called to be a leader even from a young age. And so from being the, you know, the vice president of an international fraternity on our campus to management at Disney, you know, in my early, early years, then I was a Disney creative, which was amazing. And then I worked for Disney. uh, in management for the Marriott, uh, in design. And then also, uh, for evangelists, Ryan Harbonkey and Daniel Colenda for eight and a half years, uh, creating content for television, for TBN, for God TV, and a lot of design and production and, and everything. And then we’ve had a, we’ve owned a production studio and, and, uh, a painting business, essentially the, the art business is, um, uh, It’s a missional business. It’s called bluecatfineart.com. And that is using the creative gifts and talents that God has given me as a visual artist to help support orphans because I was an orphan growing up. And so now we’re using that to give back and support orphans. And we love it. And then we have the Revelation Collective, which is a group of like-minded creatives coming together to celebrate how good God is. And it’s a creative discipleship meeting that we meet every Monday on Zoom and in person here in downtown Orlando. So we have people from all over the world join, from Bogota, San Francisco, all over the place. So it’s a really super diverse group of high-level creatives very high level creatives. It’s really amazing. X Disney animators and different, you know, whatever, but it’s all the way down to 20 year old creatives that are pursuing God’s dream. And so it’s been, it’s so incredible. It’s so incredible. We love it so much. We’re, we’re in our lane and we’re in this divine flow with God and just celebrating how good he is. And God just keeps opening doors. That’s amazing.
CHRYSANDRA :
It is so amazing. And I am thankful for the invite of just having a little bit of a taste of all of, especially that Bible study and that Creatives group. And it really is world-renowned, which is just a testament, Jim, to you and Cindy, of how the Lord has allowed you guys be a magnet to heaven’s greatness and being able to continue to keep Jesus at the center and know that that’s where the most creativity flows from. So you guys have both been, I’m just so, so thankful for more of the world to be able to hear your stories today. And we, we always love to know a good love story. First off, how did you guys meet each other? Okay.
CINDY MCMAHEL :
Well, actually, we met initially a number of years ago. Jim was he was in a ministry with one of his friends called Evoke Ministries that was for creatives. It was just, you know, creative discipleship. And I came in, attended a few of those meetings and I met him. And the process of that, one of my other friends had invited me. So we connected there. And we weren’t, you know, we didn’t know each other super, super well. But then we reconnected kind of at the end of the pandemic at another creative meeting. His friend that was running Evoke Ministries was now the creative arts director. minister, like a pastor at the new church. And so he was running some meetings and invited Jim. And so I was already at that church on board for launching. And so that’s where we reconnected. And then, you know, from there, we just became absolute best friends. And it was really fast. It was just a few months and we were engaged. And then
JIM MCMAHEL :
So my side of the story is… Yes.
CHRYSANDRA :
My side of the story is… Yeah, we like both sides. But always the lady’s side is the truth, right?
JIM MCMAHEL :
Yeah. So just take mine with a grain of salt.
JIM MCMAHEL :
So I had been married previously for most of my adult life and pandemic divorce. And so I just prayed that God would send me the one that I was supposed to run with in this next season. Because I wasn’t interested in dating or pursuing or any of that. I’m too old for that. I know exactly what I want. And I just surrendered it to God. I’m like, this is what I’m asking for. But I want who you want for me. And so then we reconnected quickly after that prayer. And then I proposed to her on stage at church in front of everyone. And praise God, she said yes. And then we got married a couple months, seven months later. And we just, you know, we’re in the season. We know what we want. And God was very clear with what he said and how he said it. So now we’re just running in ministry together. And it’s amazing.
CHRYSANDRA :
that is so powerful. I th special about the shows t of people going after the but there is nothing like running after the same go and you guys are such a t and it gives me just goop that with everyone. But you after and I love Jim that of someone to run with an and and just that visual that it gives. Can you guys just share when you guys were little, what kind of seeds was Jesus dropping into your heart and your mind as little kids to now be doing what you’re doing today? Can you guys look back and see how the Lord was threading that fabric together?
JIM MCMAHEL :
Yeah, I think for me, My grandfather, someone asked me this recently and it really brought back a lot of like powerful emotions because I really, I wasn’t sure, but I remember my grandfather was planting those seeds and he was a believer. And he encouraged me in two areas of my life when I was probably maybe in elementary school, middle school. And one was to read the word. and and start memorizing the word and really just digging in and the other was to draw and which was i mean at the time i had no idea but i would draw and he’s like okay now draw it again now draw it again i’m like what are you doing and he was He was, but not to the capacity of where God has taken me in that role. He was not very educated and he was a World War II veteran. And so his path was very different, but he was super creative. He was a musician and played guitar. But he saw the gift in me. And so he encouraged me to do those two things. And now… those are the two biggest things in my life is the arts and my faith. So he planted those seeds early on and watered them often. And then that’s exactly what happened. So yeah, what about you?
CINDY MCMAHEL :
Gosh, I’m literally going as a kid. Like, what was I like as a kid? Yeah, I mean, little Cindy was definitely not a stranger to the stage. And I think that my parents kind of recognized that. I think I was like eight years old. I remember one time my parents were like, it was some kind of a Christmas play at church. And they saw me just kind of take the stage and were like, huh okay so maybe this is something that we need to encourage you know um and then I like I think one time in elementary school I like was like the emcee at like nine years old for some big musical production or something like for the whole entire thing and they were like wow this is uh this is we’re gonna keep encouraging this and so I mean I think I just always I just loved um being on the stage and creating characters and stepping into, you know, my imagination, basically, to create characters that I could really relate to that had a great story, you know, a great story to tell. I’ve always loved telling stories through acting and singing and musical theater and all those things. So I came to really love musical theater, you know, in high school and and just, and then kind of continued, you know, through college, just like, again, I just love, I always have loved that, that ability to tell stories through creating a character. So, yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
Well, and I see both of you now, and you guys are tuning in, so you’re hearing this, but go to our socials. You’ll be able to see Cindy, knowing that she was born to be an actress. And then, Jim, for you to be born as an artist, with Jesus planted just that firm foundation of faith as a youth. uh both of you there’s so much here we cannot wait to hear um how you’ve been able to push through to go after jesus is calling on your lives we do need to go to a short break but you’re listening to all the dreamers radio show we’ll be right back Hi guys, this is Chrysandra Brunson, host of To All The Dreamers. I am so happy to introduce personal training, nutritional guidance, and behavioral change coaching. Healthy, happy, and heavenly for your wellness, spirit, soul, and body. Contact Mimi Kroger at healthyhappyandheavenly.com.
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CHRYSANDRA :
We are back. Thank you for listening to all the dreamers radio show. I’m your radio host, Dr. Chrysandra Brunson, founder and CEO of the calling. And we have the one and only Jim and Cindy Nicole. Did I say it correctly? Make mail. You cannot be the only one. You guys, does this happen?
CINDY MCMAHEL :
It happens all the time. People have no idea.
JIM MCMAHEL :
So I’m adopted, but it is Irish. But a quick funny story. I did a national interview in Columbia, South America, on the national news. And I wrote down my name, and they typed out on the broadcast, Jim McHead. And I was like, what? So everyone made fun for years and years. Oh, it’s McHead. Whatever. Not just the glory. I don’t care.
CHRYSANDRA :
Okay, so I didn’t butcher it maybe as bad as that one. I mean, it’s pretty high up there. But, no, we’re so honored to have you guys on. And thank you so much for sharing about your guys’ childhood and these seeds that Jesus had planted in your heart to be the dreamers you are today. And world-renowned dreamers, matter of fact. Would you guys be able to share in this journey of pursuing God’s calling the different giants that you guys have had to overcome either separately or together that you’ve been able to by faith overcome? But tell us that process and how you didn’t stop.
CINDY MCMAHEL :
Gosh, the first giant that comes to my mind is just the giant of fear. I mean, the giant, you know, the fear of failure, you know, the fear of, you know, not making it. I think that’s really huge. And I mean, I would say that if I had to, you know, tell younger people that are pursuing their dreams, you know, about you know how to pursue your dreams it’s one of those things that’s just really conquering the fear and having the courage to move forward even when you see other people doing things you know maybe in a different timeline than what you’re doing them in maybe they’re doing it things faster or more um i don’t know they’re just getting noticed a lot quicker that god’s still working you know, in our lives with our gifts and talents, if we really want to just glorify him. And I mean, my journey’s been pretty interesting in terms of, you know, like the way that God has had me use my creativity and my acting gifts. And at this point in my life, you know, I’m using a lot more of my communication gifts than I am my acting gifts in terms of, you know, speaking and teaching the Bible to creatives. Yeah. And that’s one of the reasons why we both really, really feel called to work with creatives because I feel like, gosh, if I had me to sneak into me when I was like 12, 16, 18, 22, like what a game changer. Just to, you know, have that courage to pursue things. I might have been a little bit more just I don’t know, just brave, you know, to go after some things that I think I’m just now it’s, you know, not allowing my age to to hold me back from pursuing even, you know, some new character work and those kinds of things. Put myself out there again and, you know, tiptoeing back into that into that market again. But yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
Is there a certain situation that comes to mind that you’re like, oh, if I didn’t walk through that, or if I had turned around, I wouldn’t be who I am today, but I was able to overcome fear?
CINDY MCMAHEL :
I would say, you know, there’s a lot of opportunities to fear when you go into auditions, just generally. There’s a lot of… I’m not going to do that. You know, I don’t think I’m going to get it or whatever. But I think just in the beginning stages of auditioning, you know, you have to kind of learn to just, you know, buckle up to the rejection and those kinds of things. I can’t think of a specific story, but I do know times that, you know, fear was pretty strong. It was pretty heavy. And I, and I can remember the feeling of when I didn’t, you know, when the fight or flight came and I didn’t, I didn’t run, um, follow through and did the auditions. I may not have gotten it the part necessarily in all of those instances that I was hoping for. But what I did feel like is I learned dependence on the Lord. I learned what that means. Like actually go, um, I can defeat these giants because, because I’m strong and courageous in the Lord, you know, and he’s got that within me to overcome that. And that’s something that’s a great takeaway, no matter what, you know, role that anybody gets or achieves. Like when I was coaching actors, I really spoke a lot into them about that. Like, let’s not make our, our version of success equal. I have to be booking this many roles or I have to be getting my name out there and my name, you know, promoted and those kinds of things. And so I think that that’s, that’s a big lesson and a big takeaway, but it’s always a journey, you know, and whatever to overcome that fear to go for it, you know?
CHRYSANDRA :
Right, right, right. Jim, how about, is there a situation that you can think of
JIM MCMAHEL :
Yeah, I would say so. So I was given away at three years old as an orphan, raised in a cornfield in Indiana. And it was, you know, we were dirt poor. I left high school with a 1.6 or 1.8 GPA, filled with rage and chaos. And it’s been incredibly difficult to overcome that and years of counseling. But when I When I had an encounter with the Lord, it’s not like all the angels started singing and dancing and everything was healed and perfect. It was still a process. But in that process of going through the furnace and being refined over and over and over, I tell people, I finally learned to dance in the furnace. So rather than rejecting or complaining or whatever, it’s like, God, show me how to dance. Show me how to embrace. Because I’ve seen over the years of being in the furnace more than once that it’s a character-developing experience and it’s a refining process. And although difficult, it’s beautiful. And so when we walk through that now, it’s like, okay, now I see what you’re doing. This is painful. But you have a way bigger… your sovereignty is so much bigger. And so it’s allowed me to learn how to embrace the challenges and press through or have discernment to say, that’s a red flag from God, turn left and walk away, whatever that is. And so, yeah, so we’ve had, you know, we’ve had, You know, the pandemic for me and divorce and my parents dying and all these things happening at the same time. You know, I was mentoring many people at the time. And I had one person come up to me and say, how are you not dead? yeah i was like well i’ve considered it you know i mean it was re the roughest season of my life and yet in that season of walking in the furnace i learned to dance and submit to god and surrender and then he provided the most amazing gift of my wife that i’d ever like she was everything more that i was praying for you know so it’s the difficult seasons are difficult and and i get that but man press through and submit and surrender and worship your way through that season and we’re like you said we’re walking in freedom we’ve never experienced it’s incredible
CHRYSANDRA :
That is so powerful. And you guys have been, I mean, God has been so faithful to be able to have you guys magnetize these giants in the faith. Can you guys just share a couple of whispers from them to your hearts that have really created momentum and courage to continue to press forward and dream big?
JIM MCMAHEL :
Well, I think for for me, just initially, you know, we have a mentor and we’ve had a number of years and he’s a very high level, creative, mission minded, creative, like orphan supporting. Yeah, it’s unbelievable and a powerhouse. And he pushes hard. But, you know, but we invite that. Because we want to be stronger and wiser and more effective. So from time mastery, not time management, mastery to, you know, the mission behind your business, all of these things are so, so important. So we’ve been very intentional with that. restructuring our life, right? Simplifying our life so that we can streamline what we’re called to do on this planet with the days that we have. So it’s been really amazing.
CHRYSANDRA :
That’s so powerful. You guys are coming up towards the end of our show. It goes by so quickly. We do want to be able to hear your tips and wisdom on from each of you what your tip would be to someone that’s tuning in right now and they know what God has called them to, but they do not have the courage to go after at this moment. What would you tell them? What would be your, what would be your wisdom to their soul right now?
JIM MCMAHEL :
Well, I would say initially I would say find people that are smarter and wiser than you and and lock like get close to them and spend time with them. Surround yourself with wise counsel and like for the rest of your life. Use what God teaches you to actually pass on to the next generation. Don’t hold it for yourself. Be a funnel that God can speak through. So that’s one thing that I’ve been intentional about is, you know, I have one hand holding the older generation for wisdom and respect and the other hand holding Generation Z and so on and mentoring them and bringing unity between because there’s value on both. both sides and I need wha I’m saying. So we can hav this planet if we lock ar agenda and our will to th him famous changer. Power
CINDY MCMAHEL :
I mean, I wholeheartedly agree. Walking with a mentor that is, you know, able to really challenge you and help you align yourself, you know, with the right kind of values and goals and, you know, not lose your character in the process. Just kind of, you know, walk alongside you. I think that’s really huge. And if you don’t have a mentor, maybe it’s a community of people. You know, maybe it’s some people that you get to see regularly that are, you know, I say like, you know, sit at a table with people that are smarter than you. Like, hang out with those people that are doing crazy, amazing, blow your mind things as much as you can. If you ever get invited, sit at that table, you know? Yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
Well, you guys are such a doing that for so many di and for just history at t that everyone wants to be in touch with you guys, way to do that? And how
CINDY MCMAHEL :
Well, therevelationcollective.com is our site where we have our community of creatives, our faith-based community of creatives that meets every single Monday night. And then we have bluecatfineart.com, which is our online art store where we give back part of our proceeds towards orphans and orphan support. So that’s where you can find us.
CHRYSANDRA :
Well, thank you guys so much. Thank you so much, Cindy. Thank you so much, Jim. And challenge everyone. Go pull over. Go look at these websites right now. Be able to follow them. You might be able to find me on a Monday night. It’s been one of the most spectacular things that I’ve been able to be part of. And so I just really thank you guys personally. And challenge everyone. Whether you identify first off of not being a creative, if God has you on this planet, you are. And this group will help pull it out of your heart and mind and soul. But thank you again, Jim and Cindy. Remember that Jesus has a plan and purpose for each one of your lives. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Till next time, dreamer. Keep dreaming big.
