Selah Story Arts is a creative arts ministry of Christ Church PCA Trussville.
The heart behind our ministry flows from our vision statement,
"We are a people embracing our need for Jesus, delighting in Him, and joining in His work of redemption so that all things reflect the goodness, truth and beauty of our triune God."
We exist to cultivate a people who pause, behold, and are formed by the beauty of the Lord—
and who, in turn, express that beauty through the gifts He has given.
Through storytelling, dance, theatre, music, and diverse artistic expression, we seek to shape hearts and imaginations that are attentive to God’s presence and responsive to His truth. Our aim is not only to create art, but to form worshippers—people who embody the gospel and bear witness to it within the church and into the world.
As image-bearers of a creative God, we believe the arts are a means of discipleship, inviting us to know Him more deeply and to make Him known more faithfully.
The word Selah calls us to pause and dwell in God’s presence. Our vision is rooted in Psalm 27:4: “One thing have I asked of the Lord that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” From this place of beholding, we long to see lives shaped by His beauty—lives that create, not for their own sake, but as an overflow of worship.
Upcoming Class:
Dwell
September 3rd - October 23rd
Music Theatre: Thursdays 11:30 - 12:30 (7yr-5th) | 2:30-3:30 (7yr-5th) | 3:35-4:35 (6th-9th)
Ballet/Lyric: Thursdays 9:30 - 10:20 (3yr-5yr) | 10:30-11:20 (6yr-9yr)
Baking/Hospitality: Fridays from 9:30-11:00 (9yr-13yr)
This semester, we will focus on a beautiful part of Selah's ministry verse from Psalm 27:4:
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may
dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life..."
The psalmist's greatest desire was to dwell in the presence of God—to abide, remain, and make his home with Him. But before we can seek to dwell with God, we must first see His longing to dwell with us.
Throughout this semester, we will explore the theme of DWELL as we discover God's heart woven throughout the story of Scripture. From walking with Adam and Eve in the garden, to dwelling among Israel in the Tabernacle and Temple, to coming to us through Jesus, living within us through the Holy Spirit, and ultimately dwelling with His people forever in the new creation, we will see that God's desire has always been to be with His people.
Mark your calendars for the evening of October 23rd
as we bring this story of Scripture to life through many artistic forms.
Each class will begin with a brief 10-minute devotion centered on our theme, Dwell, taking participants through the Bible and encouraging them to root their hearts in God's Word. Our prayer is that as they grow in their talents and skills, they will also grow in their relationship with Christ, becoming deeply rooted in Him and learning to dwell in His presence each day.
Musical Theatre:
Thursdays: Homeschooling hours are
11:30-12:30 for 7 year-olds to 5th grade
After School hours are
2:30- 3:30 for 7 year-olds to 5th grade and 3:35-4:35 for 6th grade to 9th grade
Note - If you have a High School Student who is interested, please let Traci know. If we have enough interest, we are willing to create a class.
Through acting, storytelling, voice, movement, character development, and scene work, students will discover the power of theatre to communicate truth and inspire others. Whether focusing on musical theatre or straight theatre, students will develop their performance skills while learning to work collaboratively and creatively.
Ballet/ Lyrical:
Thursdays: Homeschooling hours are
9:30- 10:20 for 3 to 5 year-olds and 10:30- 11:20 for 6 to 9 year-olds
Note - Let Traci know if you have a child interested in classes after school hours. We are praying the Lord provides a teacher for this timing and will let you know if a class becomes available.
Through the beauty and discipline of ballet, students will grow in technique, grace, strength, and artistry while discovering how movement can become a beautiful expression of worship. As they prepare for our DWELL Showcase, dancers will learn to tell God's story through movement while growing in confidence, creativity, and community.
The Art of Baking and Hospitality:
Fridays: Homeschooling Hours are
9:30-11:00 at Mathews Manor for 9 to 13 year-olds
Hospitality is one of the beautiful ways we reflect the heart of God. Throughout Scripture, God welcomes, provides, and prepares a place for His people. In this class, students will learn foundational baking skills alongside the art of creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for others. As they bake, decorate, and serve together, they will discover that sharing food can become an act of love, generosity, and worship.
Students will also have the special opportunity to prepare and serve treats to guests before the DWELL Showcase on October 23, using their gifts to extend hospitality and help create a welcoming experience for everyone who attends.
Pop-Up Workshops:
We're exploring the idea of different pop-up workshops throughout the semester! These short classes are a wonderful opportunity to learn a new creative skill, connect with others, and experience the joy of creating in community.
Possible offerings include Creative Writing, Painting (for adults or children), and Hip Hop Dance. Workshops will be scheduled based on interest, so let us know what you'd love to see. Your feedback will help us determine which classes to offer!
Meet Our Team
Traci Creel
Director of Selah Story Arts
Traci serves as the Director of Selah Story Arts at Christ Church PCA, where she provides vision, leadership, and oversight for the ministry.
She has been married to Jason Creel for 16 years and together they have four children: Amelia (15), Carson (14), Sadie (12), and Lyla (10).
Growing up in a family shaped by entrepreneurship, and now married to a business owner, Traci has long enjoyed developing ideas, organizing systems, and helping bring vision to life. She has always been drawn to beauty in its many forms—from painting, home design, cake decorating, floral arranging, photography and time spent in nature.
In recent years, the Lord has grown in her a vision for not only visual arts but also performing arts. Watching her own daughters discover confidence and joy through singing, dancing, and being on stage has deepened her desire to cultivate a space where creativity and faith meet.
In her role, Traci focuses on building and supporting the ministry through hiring and equipping instructors, developing programs, and communicating with families. Her hope is to see Selah Story Arts become a place where students grow in both skill and a deeper awareness of the beauty of the Lord, using their gifts for His glory.
Meet Our Team
Kristy White
Director of Musical Theatre
With a lifelong passion for music and a heart for ministry, Kristy White will serve as the Director of Musical Theatre for Christ Church’s youth program. Raised in a home filled with music, Kristy was deeply influenced by her mother, a vocalist and piano and voice instructor, who nurtured her love for singing and performance from an early age.
Kristy graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in Language Arts. During her time there, she also worked at the School of Music and studied private voice under the head of the voice department further strengthening her vocal training and artistry.
For the past 19 years and presently, Kristy teaches private voice lessons from her home studio, mentoring young singers while raising her two daughters. Earlier in her career, she taught middle school language arts and reading in Charlotte, North Carolina, and served as a summer camp counselor for high school students at Broyhill Leadership Camps in South Carolina.
After returning to Alabama, she became actively involved in the Birmingham theatre community, performing with Virginia Samford Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Company, and Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Lucy in Sweeney Todd, and Sally in Me and My Girl.
In addition to theatre, Kristy is a vocalist and songwriter who recorded a jazz cover album in 2011 featuring several of her own original songs. She has performed at festivals and special events and has also trained in on-camera acting, appearing in commercials, true crime television programs on the ID channel, and a small role on Insatiable.
After adopting her youngest daughter from Shanghai, Kristy stepped back from the stage to focus on her family and expand her voice studio. This season of life allowed her to beautifully combine her love for teaching, music, and mentoring young people.
Kristy is deeply grateful for the opportunity to invest in the next generation through ministry and musical theatre—blending her passion for music, acting, and education with her faith. She considers it a joy and calling to use her gifts in service to the Lord, helping students grow in confidence, creativity, and purpose, all for His honor and glory.
Katelyn Asbury
Lead Instructor of Dance
Katelyn grew up in Trussville and danced at Miss Kelley’s for 16 years, taking jazz, tap, ballet and clogging, was a member of several jazz teams and the national champion clogging team, Dynamic Edition. She was a member of the Hewitt Trussville Middle School Dance Team as well as a Highstepper for all 4 years of high school and served as captain her senior year. Katelyn also choreographed a routine for the middle school dance team, which won an outstanding choreography award and made the team Alabama State Hip Hop Champions. She went on to study accounting at The University of Alabama and took several dance classes as electives. During her college years, Katelyn taught summer courses at Miss Kelley’s, numerous solos and private lessons. Katelyn currently lives in Trussville with her husband, Paul, and 2 daughters, Audrey (5) and Amelia (3) and has enjoyed returning as a dance teacher at Miss Kelley’s. She is looking forward to “flourishing” with the kids at camp this summer and praising the Lord through dance!
Previous Classes
Flourish
June 22-26
Our theme for the week is “Flourish,” inspired by Psalm 92:12: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…” Throughout the week, we will explore what it means to be deeply rooted, growing, and thriving in the gifts God has given each child. Through movement, storytelling, creativity, and time together, we will encourage students to grow in confidence, character, and joy. Each part of the week is designed to help children see how God nurtures both their creativity and their hearts.
Families may choose between two creative experiences or participate in both for a full day of engagement:
Dance Camp: ages 3-14 - Time: 9:00AM -12:00PM
This camp will include story time, games, a hands-on visual art activity, a daily snack, and the opportunity to learn and rehearse a dance throughout the week. This time will focus on joyful movement, creativity, and building confidence as students grow in their abilities.
Theatre Camp: ages 6 and older - Time: 12:30–3:30 PM
Students will explore what it means to flourish in Christ through music, drama, and artistic expression. Guided by the message of Psalm 92 and inspired by the story of, The Three Trees, students will discover how these truths connect to their daily lives. They will have the opportunity to use their imaginations, collaborate with one another for a group performance, and use their voices to tell meaningful stories.
NOTE: This camp will begin at 9:00AM on Friday and conclude after the 12:00PM showcase
The cost is $150 per camp or $250 for both. We are also happy to offer sibling discounts to make it easier for families to participate. A $25 discount is available for a second child (for one camp), or $50 off if they attend both camps. Any additional siblings may attend free of charge.