Everything is possible, the apostle Mark writes, to him who believes.

In the eye of digital artist Kevin Carden, that’s a Bible and Word of God whose truth is like a powerful electric charge kinetically coursing from God to believer to make the impossible possible and change lives.

That Carden image is one of six new framed artworks recently placed around the campus of Triad Baptist to convey Biblical truths through imagery.

“I love to tell stories with my artwork,” Carden says. “Almost all of my images are created with a spiritual concept or a Biblical theme in mind, and I think it’s wonderful to be able to use modern technology to tell ancient truths.

“The great thing about pictures is that they last a really long time. So if I spend five hours creating one simple picture, there’s a possibility it can have an impact on people several years into the future.”

Part of the KNOWName Media team, Carden’s photography and Photoshop design skills have been featured in everything from logos to video graphics, T-shirt designs, conference promotions, TBC road signage, and the sermon illustrations flashed onscreen during Lead Pastor Rob Decker’s Sunday messages.

Commercially, Carden shares the same talents with Christian publishers and media through his Carden’s Design Photography Services business, including artwork for the covers of several Christian books.

Carden, who joined Triad after he and his wife, Amanda, were married in 2011, counts it a blessing that his work is in perfect synch with his faith — and a natural extension of his faith.

And illustrating the power of God he features regularly as a theme, Carden’s business isn’t even in his degree. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, he earned his batchelor’s degree in business management from N.C. State University in 2005.

“I've never studied photography or graphic arts, so it’s all pretty much been self-taught,” Carden says. “I have been taking pictures in some form or another for the past 10 years. It has evolved from nature photography, to family photography, to wedding photography, to graphic design, and concept art.”

While the gospel message — that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin through his death on the cross so that, through belief in Him, we can have eternal life with Him in Heaven — remains the church’s life-changing truth, Carden believes art too has a place in telling that story along with words and text.

Especially, he adds, in a culture increasingly saturated with some of the most sophisticated media ever produced to take people away from God.

“Photography, music, video and other forms of art have a unique way of speaking to individuals that words could never do on their own,” he says. “In the digital age of photography, we now have the ability to create realistic pieces of artwork that do not have to follow any particular set of rules.

“Many of my images have some sort of unusual or surreal element that would never be possible in the natural world. That comes in handy though, especially when trying to express the concept of a supernatural God. Let’s face it: the world loves entertainment, especially with expensive special effects and high-quality productions.

“As a Christian, I’m simply embarrassed by the low quality pieces of artwork that Christians are able to produce, whether its low-budget movies with horrible acting, or Christian clip art that looks like a toddler threw it together.”

Carden hopes his work for KNOWName and for his clients in Christian media is part of remedying that situation.

“We cannot just stamp a Bible verse on something and think we are exempt from creating anything with high quality,” he says. “God has given us talents and unique capabilities that come directly from heaven, and I think the church should combine our gifts with the latest technology to reach this lost world in a creative way. We should never abandon the preaching of the Word or stop using written text, but I think we have an opportunity to use artwork alongside the preaching to reach the world in a powerful way.”

Many of Carden’s images feature Amanda whose influence, he says, looms large in his success. Even with her job as a school counselor, Carden says she finds time to offer creative ideas and model for projects.

In addition to Kevin’s work with KNOWName, the couple is active at Triad in a host of ways. They attend the SALT Sunday School class, serve in the Kids Street Children’s Ministry, and take pictures at baptisms, events, and for other ministries. Amanda also counsels two to three people weekly for Triad's Life Support Counseling Ministry.

“Any day that I can take pictures for the cause of Christ, it’s a good day. So whether it’s Triad needing some pictures of baptism or the World Fest Missions Conference, or if it’s Amanda and I creating some unique artwork to proclaim the gospel, I love it all the same. I do believe God has blessed me with the spiritual gift of Photoshop design, and I'm honored to use it for His glory.”

Glorifying God through digital design: Art by Kevin Carden