Luke Wisner

DRAMA DIRECTOR - This is the second year Luke has been the drama director and the fifth year for his participation in AIC. Every year Luke sees very clearly that God is teaching him and growing him intensely in character during the AIC preparation time and weekend, and he is very excited this year to be working alongside others who are seeking the Lord and growing in Christ.

Luke says, "More and more I see the gospel of Jesus Christ as the most important thing in the world. I hope and pray that I will have the extreme joy to play a part in extending Gods kingdom. I am currently trying to keep up with three part time jobs and working toward a bachelor’s degree in communications through CollegePlus!. Every day is new and magnificent when looking to Him who is the radiance of the glory of God. Oh that I would always set my mind and affection on Him, the Blessed One. Holy, holy, holy is He. Jesus Rocks!!!! And He is worthy of all praise and glory.

“He must increase and I must decrease” John 3:30.

Advisory Committee

RYAN DUNN - Ryan is a junior in high school. He has enjoyed participating in AIC for over five years, as a student, assistant teacher, and a teacher. Ryan enjoys playing sports, being on the homeschool robotics team, and spending time with friends and his two siblings. He loves teaching kids and watching them grow spiritually, and is grateful for the time he has been in AIC.

 

 

 

 

BETHANY GORMAN - Bethany Gorman is the oldest of 5 children, all of whom are adopted. Her father, Jeffrey Gorman, is serving as the current TPA president. She has been involved in AIC since 2001 as a student, staff assistant, drama character, assistant teacher, or teacher. She saw a great need for a special class serving the 3-5 year olds, because many of the TPA board members had young children and were unable to run convention while caring for them. So, in 2009 the first "small" class began! It was an amazing blessing to so many parents, and Bethany loved teaching that class. Last year Bethany was on a yearlong mission trip teaching English in Taiwan, so she did what she could to help online and through prayer. This year she is extremely excited to be coming back to serve as the teacher to the class of little ones again. She has a passion for children, and loves travel. She has been on mission trips to Russia, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand, and has traveled to several other countries. She is currently working on getting her BA in Education, and is teaching English to S Korean students online.

CHANDLER HIEBSCH - Chandler has been involved with AIC since its first year in one way or another. She has served as a teacher, materials coordinator, piano player, prayer partner, song-writer, curriculum writer, drama writer/actress, and stage assistant teaching songs and verses.

She is a 2005 homeschool graduate, a 2009 Manhattan Christian College graduate, and is finishing up her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Wichita State. Chandler loves to work with children, and has had many opportunities to do so here in the states and in other countries. Her dream is to continue to show God's love to kids with her life; whether as a nurse, on the overseas mission field, through her church, or AIC.

 

ABIGAIL MCFARLAND -

HANNAH MCFARLAND -

AMY SHELDEN - "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Luke 18:16, 17) Adventures in Character is a big part of Amy's life. For the past four years, Amy has enjoyed participating in the AIC program and has felt God's call on her life to share the Gospel with children. A two-time student in 2003 and 2004, she returned to the program as an assistant teacher during 2008's "Westward." Amy enjoyed the teaching aspect of the program, but felt that she could better use her gifts in the drama. In 2009's "Escape" and 2010's "Disappearance," she transformed herself into an evil slave driver and a cocky detective. She believes that portraying specific character traits has helped her to identify faults in her own character, and, with God's help alone, change them. Besides loving to participate in the AIC program, Amy also enjoys piano performance, reading classic literature, organizing, singing, and hanging out with her four sisters.

RACHEL SHELDEN - Rachel Shelden has been involved in AIC since 2007 and has served as a teacher, props collector (for lack of a better title), and stage manager for the AIC play. This year she is thrilled to be stage manager again and is also excited to help write the play. Rachel is a senior in high school and can't wait to attend Wichita State University in the fall and start working towards a degree in nursing. She lives at home with her parents and four younger sisters, and laughs every time her dad says that he lives in a sorority. She enjoys doing art projects, cooking for her family (and whoever else might be home), improvising on the piano, and writing. Rachel feels so blessed to have been involved with AIC, because God has used it in her life to teach her how to use her God-given talents for His glory.

"Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love" 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.

STEPHANIE SHELDEN - Stephanie has enjoyed Adventures in Character since she was a student in 2003 and 2004. For the past two years, she has enjoyed teaching and acting in the program. In 2009's "Escape," Stephanie landed a principal role in the drama and loved the close relationships that developed as a result. During 2010's "Disappearance," Stephanie performed on stage and off, acting in a minor role and teaching a large, vibrant class of children. She found that teaching taught her a lot about herself, especially that she liked to teach. Along with participating in AIC, Stephanie is an accomplished cellist in the Wichita Youth Symphony and singer in the Wichita Community Children's Choir. She also enjoys art, physical fitness, and hanging out with her loving family. One of her favorite Bible verses is Romans 15:1-3: "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me'."

MICHELLE STOCKTON - Michelle has been involved with AIC as a student, assistant teacher and teacher and is honored to be a part of the advisory committee this year. She was a homeschool graduate in 2010 and is currently pursuing a degree in marketing through online college. Michelle loves working with children and has felt the Lord calling her to the mission field since the age of five. She is greatly anticipating to see how the Lord brings about His plans for her life. Some of the many things she enjoys doing are teaching piano and art, spending time with her wonderful family, and reading.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11.

 

ISAAC THONEN -

JOSEPH WICKHAM - Joey has survived fourteen years of life as the only boy in a family with five older sisters. He is excited to be taking on a bigger role with Adventures in Character this year after attending as a student for eight years and serving last year as an assistant teacher. He is assisting in the drama department with props and set building. Joey appreciates the opportunity to be involved in this ministry with the rest of his family and many of his friends. He enjoys playing cello in the Wichita Youth Symphony program (even if it does mean getting up early on Saturday mornings!) and has been taking piano lessons from his sister, Natalie, since the ripe old age of two. As soon as he's checked practicing off his list, Joey likes to spend time outside playing a variety of different sports, especially football and Frisbee. He is looking forward to this year's theme and hopes he can play a part in showing children the awesome power of Jesus Christ.

 

NAOMI WICKHAM - AIC has been a part of Naomi's life ever since it started in 1999 and she continued to participate every year after that until age eleven. Since then she has been an assistant teacher, actress, music assistant, and in 2010 took on the responsibility (with two other co-laborers) of creating the first original soundtrack for the AIC drama. Naomi has come to realize that the will of God is not just His life calling for her, but that He desires for her to live each day for Him and do everything she does to give Him glory. Over the last several years she has been striving to implement this into her life as she watches little children, writes, studies, gives speeches, composes, plays the piano, works on various design projects, spends time with her sisters and brother…and on occasion when trying to answer as intelligently as possible when people ask her why she's not "in school." She loves being homeschooled and has reaped the wonderful benefits of it all her life! She will graduate in 2012 and plans to continue following the path God sets before her. Naomi is thrilled to be on board with the drama team once again and although she's not coming back to do the music this year, she's super excited to be involved in the other areas of the drama and AIC ministry!

"…with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" 2 Peter 3:8.

NOELLE WICKHAM - Since graduating in 2009, Noelle has continued to serve families through child-care, enjoying the time spent with children of all ages and personalities. She also enjoys playing piano, baking sweets, reading as much as possible, and spending time with family and friends, whether it's talking, playing games, or just having fun together. Noelle has had the opportunity to be involved in AIC from the beginning: as a student, assistant teacher and teacher, and each year has had its own new experiences and fun memories. Although helping in a different capacity this year, Noelle is excited to see the way God will work His will and glory in every part of the adventure that is a part of a new year of Adventures in Character.

 

CHERYL KAYE WISNER - Cheryl Kaye loves people - which is a good thing when you’re number eight of ten kids! She also loves the elderly (especially cute ones!) and children. She stays with an elderly couple a few days a week helping them out, and yes, they are adorable. She is very thankful for the opportunity to express her love for children through various church activities, nieces and nephews, and through AIC. This will be her third year helping with AIC and is she is super excited to be used wherever she is needed, all for the glory of God. A few other interests include being with family and friends, laughing, writing, piano, drama, politics, playing Balderdash and Quelf, and most of all growing to be more like Jesus, her one and only gracious Savior.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" Colossians 2:6-7.