KEN CASTOR

John Michael has collected in these pages ideas for your life that are both practical and winsome. He takes you on a delightful ride using relatable stories about real life and real faith. You are really going to enjoy this book.
Bob Goff  

Author, New York Times bestsellers Love Does, Everybody Always, and Dream Big

John Michael has been a friend of ours for several years, and we’ve been huge fans of everything he does. imaginateinspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can do creatively together. You’ve got to devour this book.
Tommy Woodard and Eddie James
The SkitGuys

John Michael’s themes of purposeful creativity and art speak to me deeply, and I’m inspired by his urge toward collaboration and community. The openness with which he shared sacred moments from his life to illustrate these ideas is moving. I can’t wait to take these thoughts and apply them to my own life’s work!
Mario “The Maker Magician” Marchese Performer, Author, Creator

My experience is that all-too-often, people overcomplicate creativity, making it into something they can either claim or distance themselves from. But John Michael and Ken reminded me (over and over again, actually) of truths about God, myself and creativity that are quite literally woven into my design (and yours, by the way). At its heart, this encouraging book is an invitation, not only to Collab and Imaginate with God and others, but to see yourself how God sees you. 

Mark Oestreicher Founder and Partner, The Youth Cartel

These two dudes are the real deal! I’ve loved working with John Michael Hinton and Ken Castor at nextgen conferences all over the U.S. And now I’m pumped that they’ve written a really fun, refreshing book that sparks the creative process in all of us. Imaginate is the inspirational collision of two resilient creatives who encourage people to thrive even when difficulties get in the way. I can’t wait to see what good things God is going to do when people Imaginate!

Josh Griffin Speaker, Youth Pastor and co-founder of DownloadYouthMinistry.com

What are the first five words of the Bible? “In the beginning God ________.” Copy-write-infringed? Plagiarize? Duplicated?  Nope… “In the beginning God CREATED!” Imagine you could imitate an artist like that. The first of the firsts. Imaginate will put the path in-front of you and some very practical tools in your hands. This is a must -read for anyone who makes anything from spreadsheets to suspension bridges to spit wads. 

Eric Samuel Timm Artist, Author, Pastor

Pre-Imaginate, I felt like I had a pretty whole and accurate view of our creative God. Nope. I didn’t. Post-Imaginate, I see a God that laughed while creating and delights in collaborating with me in unique and fun ways! I also now have a new, favorite personal descriptor: “God’s mini-me.” (Look for it on my next personalized license plate!) If I were in charge of coordinating a creative round table, John Michael would be my first pick! (Walt Disney my second.) His take on everyday life and the God that invited us into that everyday life is fresh, fun and fascinating! Every one of my students needs to be shaped and grounded by the perspective on God’s creativity revealed in this book! John Michael’s personal story, told with such humor and detail, intersects masterfully with deep insight into God’s story! Imaginate is more than temporary art– it’s here to stay!

Heather! Flies Junior High Pastor, Wooddale Church – Eden Prairie

 For the creative person, maybe coloring outside the lines is normal. But for all those who have never experienced the wonder of a Broadway show, nor awed at a masterful magician expanding their imagination, this book has enough mystery to make everyone want to run for the crayons. Thank you, John and Ken, for helping all of us never see the creation story, nor a deck of cards, the same way again. Thanks for helping us Imaginate!

Jonathan Meyer Pastor, Founder, Ignite Youth Leadership Conferences

One of my greatest thrills in life is to help people discover the unlimited love and life that God offers to everyone. There’s nothing quite like living in the fullness of life that God has creatively and uniquely set before each of us. Imaginate helps us to tap into the life God is inviting each of us into, a life full of joy, hope, and wonder. This book is an eye-awakening, soul-inspiring, super-fun, deep-dive into the creative work that God has for us. 

Zane Black Evangelist, Founder – wearelovinlife.com

Over the years, I’ve come to see John Michael Hinton as someone who does the incredible in a way I just cannot understand. I love watching him perform, and I have no idea how he does his illusions or what the hidden trick might be. But in Imaginate, he is all about the opposite – he actually breaks open the deep mysteries of life and scripture and, through his personal story, reveals the details of God’s imaginative invitation to create. This is an inspiring and great read for anyone.

Scott Wakely National Director, Alliance Youth, LIFE Conference

As a magician myself, I understand the special gift John Michael Hinton has given us here. Good Magicians want to help people marvel at the world, to expand their sense of wonder, and help them imagine new possibilities. With the help of a trusted voice in Ken Castor, John has crafted a masterpiece for the soul that changes how we approach our lives. Imaginate is an entertaining invitation into a secret world… a world as it was meant to be lived… full of wisdom and humor and awe.

Mark Matlock Author, Consultant, Founder and Principal, WisdomWorks

When John and Ken, two of my most creative and cool friends, get together to write a book, you know something amazing is going to happen. They’ve taken the best of their passions and stories and mashed them into fun adventures and deep discoveries about the very essence of life. John and Ken know that people truly thrive when they connect with God and others. I’m excited to see how Imaginate will spark movements of creativity that change the world.”

Brad Mock High School Pastor, Christ Community Church – Omaha

My experience is that all-too-often, people overcomplicate creativity, making it into something they can either claim or distance themselves from. But John-Michael and Ken reminded me (over and over again, actually) of truths about God, myself and creativity that are quite literally woven into my design (and yours, by the way). At its heart, this encouraging book is an invitation, not only to Collab and Imaginate with God and others, but to see yourself how God sees you.

Mark Oestreicher Founder and Partner, The Youth Cartel