Meet the Team!

     Ode to the Forgotten began as an idea three years ago (2008) when I (Sarah) was 14- as merely a book that would profit and be donated to organizations that help eradicate poverty. As of summer of 2011, though,  God turned it into something much bigger than we ever imagined. God gave us the words to a CD, which became an event, which is becoming a not-for-profit organization and a movement. And we invite you to join us!


Jesus Christ- Know that Jesus Christ makes our team work. Without him, we'd be doing all of this in vain.


Sarah Hensley: Executive Director

Hey! You may not know this, but Ode to the Forgotten was started when God woke me up in the middle of the night (when i was 14) and gave me the idea to write letters to Africa (from central Indiana), encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ in another nation. That was three years ago. Over that time, God developed my love for poetry. The real kick-off to Ode to the Forgotten as a movement rather than just a book, though, came last summer. Sitting at Starbucks, God let the words to a CD of poetry flow out of our mouths. We wanted a way to creatively show people what Ode to the Forgotten was about and what we wanted them to do with it. Praise the Lord! The CD is being released on August 14th this year at the first Ode to the Forgotten event- "Hearts and Pockets". I'm so excited!

     At 17 God has called me to help people understand that they can use the gifts that God gave them- whatever they may be- to make a difference in someone's life- to eradicate both emotional and physical poverty. Poverty is in our backyard and it's time to invite it in for dinner.  It's the small, day-to-day things that count, that redefine this world into something more beautiful than it was yesterday. Honestly, i cannot tell you exactly where God is taking Ode, because i don't know. Currently, I know we are having an event. We are inspiring people to shake the dust off their hearts and open them up to someone else. We are getting involved in our communities and creating works of art from those experiences. But further than that, God is still revealing. We will see what He does. It'll be a blast and for His good!

Joseph Spaulding: Creative Technologies Director

Hey, everyone! My name name is Joe Spaulding and I will be the Creative Technologies Director for Ode! I'm currently 19 years old and attending IUPUI as a Mechanical Engineering major. I'm excited to see what God is going to do through Ode - especially at events we put on. One phrase has been sticking in my head for a while: Kinetic performances. OOH! I'm excited to see what that is going to look like! God has blessed this organization so much! And we are just following His lead! Glory to God! 

 

Rebekah Whiteman: Spiritual Director

Greetings, brothers and sisters! My name is Rebekah and I am blessed to say that I am the Spiritual Director of Ode to the Forgotten! I currently attend Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri. Some of my many passions include singing/writing music for Ode, ministering to middle school students, laughing, giraffes, my one pair of TOMS shoes, and occasionally rocking out to Ke$ha.

Basically, the role I play in Ode is rad because I work with some of my best friends. I am blessed that God has given us this opportunity to work together to further His Kingdom. I grew up with these guys, and I wouldn't want to work with anyone else! Jesus rocks, and my job is to make sure that the people we come in contact with know that through the materials that you give us! So show us what God has been teaching you. You never know when someone else may need to learn the same lessons. Grace and peace to you all in Jesus' name. 


Tyler Sapp: Music Arts Director

Oi!

My name is Tyler Sapp and I am the Music Director for Ode. I record the voices you hear on the CD and also lend a hand in writing some of music that Ode puts out. I’m currently attending University of Southern Indiana as a Communication major. We’ll see how long that last sentence stays in there... I am ridiculously pumped about what God is doing through Ode, and I’m excited for whatever the future holds!
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:25

and yourself...
with every moment your submissions and involvement help define what Ode is. Thank you:)