FOREWORD BY JEFF DEYO
When you think of creating, what comes to mind?Â
Art is creativity in one of its most loved forms; however, the arts are just one way to be creative. Creativity, in fact, isn’t reserved for only the artists. All humans create. And this creativity is a spiritual weapon given to us by God Himself for such a time as this. Our creative expression has the capacity to release Heaven or unleash hell. We’re either altar-builders or idol-makers. We’re either creating space for the Lord or for the enemy.Â
In this powerful, revelation-packed book, you will:
Be activated in your identity, authority, and power as a creative who is made in the image of Creator God and is filled with His Spirit.
Learn to recognize and remove idols from your life and replace them with altars of pure worship to the Lord.
Discover how your creative expression can dismantle the darkness and release the presence and power of Jesus into the world.Â
Chaos is all around. Now more than ever, we need revival. We need it to be on earth as it is in Heaven. God has invited you to co-create with Him. Will you be His partner in changing the world?
Cheryl Salem, Miss America 1980, Evangelist, Author, Musician, Salem Family Ministries
Wow! Marissa Coloma has outdone herself with this writing! I am super impressed with the revelations she has shown within these pages and also the heart of the true creative worshiper that she is in every sentence. I have known Marissa for many years and have admired her heart of obedience to the Father, her love of worship, her creative mind and spirit, and most of all, her walk of pure and holy love before our Father God.Â
Each word in this amazing book, When Creatives Create, will bring delight and clarity to the reader. I truly believe the revelations within these pages will help the reader define their own identity rooted in the powerful revelation that our Father is first and foremost a CREATIVE and has made us in His image.
Realizing the power of the creative force already within us as God’s image-bearers made me want to jump up and down as I read page after page. Yes, my spirit continued to shout in agreement as I read these insights filled with wisdom beyond the natural years of this beautiful young woman of God. She is a powerhouse for the Kingdom of God! When creatives create, the Kingdom of God is furthered and the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached in new ways to a new generation of creatives!
Yvonne Senat Jones, Award-Winning Actor
As someone walking out my calling in the entertainment industry, I know firsthand the lack of resources equipping creatives to integrate faith with vocation. When Creatives Create is both a gracious reminder and a compelling call to action: that our creative gifts are not just relevant—they’re urgent. Through Scripture, history, and an often humorous recounting of her own personal experiences, Marissa reminds us that God has always used artists to bring light into darkness, and that He is still doing that today. This book poses thought-provoking questions that, when prayerfully answered, became a guiding light in discerning what God is calling me to create next. When Creatives Create is essential reading for anyone who knows God is calling them to use their gifts to create something the world desperately needs.
Roger Heuser, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Vanguard University
In this time of increasing uncertainty, complexity, and anxiety, we need a clear voice to help us claim our “imago Dei" (divine image-bearing) that enable us to live our calling and giftedness in today’s world. I am grateful that Marissa Coloma has given us practical wisdom and helpful guidelines for this adventure.
Kelly Beckert, President & CEO, Heights Christian Schools
With clarity and wisdom, Marissa shares that creativity isn’t reserved for a few; it’s a calling for all who dare to step into the God-sized callings that He puts in our hearts. When Creatives Create is a powerful reminder that each of us is uniquely designed by God for a divine purpose. As I read this book, I was challenged and inspired to create boldly, trusting that as we move, God not only equips us, but He also does what only He can do. In that sacred space, our faith grows, others are drawn to Him, and Heaven is released on the earth. A must-read for every believer ready to build with God.
Laron Christopher, Musician
Wow, Marissa—what a powerful, timely book! First, thank you for choosing me to read and endorse this work. As a fellow creative, I know this book is needed on the planet right now. You’ve written with divine clarity and purpose—God has truly anointed you for this moment. When Creatives Create is structured in three parts: The Craftsmen, The Counterfeit, and The Commission. I read one part each day from August 13–15, 2025. Part Two, The Counterfeit, shook me—it’s deep, and I had to read it again. On Part Three, as I read “His Instrument,” the Holy Spirit told me to stop and go create. I obeyed, and a new song—“Our Creator”—was born right then. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there’s a time for everything. That time is now. Let this book transform you and awaken the Creator within. Blessings and peace.
Laura Luna, Prophetic Voice, Author, Co-Pastor, New Creation Church
This book is a clarion call to every image-bearer, awakening us to the mandate from Heaven to use our gifts, talents, and creativity for God’s glory. With great clarity, deep revelation, and practical application, Marissa takes the reader on a journey that is both convicting and inspiring.
As I read When Creatives Create, I felt stirred, challenged, and compelled to rise up “for such a time as this.” There is an urgency in this hour. A charge from the Father’s heart that the Church must not miss. God is breathing on creativity as a means to reach the next generation, and through Marissa’s writing, you can hear His heartbeat unfold with every word. Her candid yet humorous style will keep you engaged, hungry for more, and motivated to take action. Each page carries the weight of God’s heart. Every sentence has an anointing to break down idols, stir holy hunger, and ignite a passion to go deeper. Marissa’s writing is both piercing and refreshing. It’s like a hammer that breaks off idolatry, yet sweet like honey, drawing you into intimacy with Him while propelling you into action.
I have had the honor of knowing Marissa since she was just seventeen years old. Marissa doesn’t just write about creativity; she lives it. I have watched her dedicate herself to the Lord with diligence. Her life is a testimony of surrender, holiness, and faithfulness. She is a true preacher of righteousness and a powerful example of what it means to release Heaven on earth as His image-bearer.
This is more than a book—it’s a prophetic charge, a guide, and an invitation to rise up as creators who carry the presence of God into the world. Don’t just read this book; let it transform you.
Angel Menchaca, Lead Pastor, Christian Worship Center
When Creatives Create is a book that is both inspiring and instructive. It is inspirational because it reminds us that the Creator has made us in His image and thus equipped us with creative ability. It is instructional, teaching that through creativity we can either release Heaven or unleash hell. Marissa has done the Church a favor in providing the pathway by which to glorify God through our creative giftings. And her book reveals how we can partner with God to create space for His glory—the manifestation of who He is and what He does—to be experienced on earth as it is in Heaven.
Fredy Romero, Pastor of Leadership, Eastside Christian Church
I’ve spent years leading and learning from pastors, and I can tell you this with certainty: the future of the Church belongs to leaders who know how to empower creatives. When Creatives Create is the roadmap we’ve been waiting for. Marissa combines biblical wisdom, personal experience, and a sweeping vision of what’s possible when we truly see creatives as part of God’s redemptive plan. From the earliest pages of Scripture to the present day, God has always used creativity to reveal His glory. Marissa masterfully connects that story to the moment we’re living in now. When Creatives Create offers both the depth of theology and the clarity of practice that leaders need to shepherd well in this cultural season. Leaders who ignore this moment will miss an entire movement of the Spirit. Leaders who embrace it will find their churches thriving in fresh and powerful ways. If you’re serious about leading your church into the future with clarity, courage, and vision, this book belongs in your hands.
Louie & Sandra Trevino, Lead Pastors, Harbor Christian Center
I met Marissa in 2003, and we made an instant connection because we share the same birthday (2/6), only twenty-four years apart. At that time, she was twelve years old and her creative gift was quickly on display. For our birthdays, she gave me a handmade card and I gave her a LEGO set.Â
A few years after that, I would start picking Marissa up for church staff meetings, then later we would journey through leadership transition together, and Marissa would help create what our church is today. It has been an amazing adventure. Seeing Marissa step fully into her divine creative calling from God by Holy Spirit in 2021 was a God-moment I will never forget. My wife, Sandra, and I are grateful that she is part of our team!
When Creatives Create is written from a position, a passion, a reality, and much experience with a creative gift. This book is a recommended read for every team ready to advance understanding and direction for what God-given creativity is.
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