Instructors

Howi C. Tiller is the founder of, “The Word Alive Christian Drama Ministries”, an anointed and timely ministry that effectively reaches this generation. For over 24 years he has written, directed, produced and acted in Christian dramas from coast to coast. He has taught and ministered in conferences across the U.S., Canada, the Philippines and Australia. You may have seen some of his dramas at music, drama, youth conferences, camps or other conventions throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is part of our mission to see Christian drama used as an anointed tool for end-time evangelism. Howi also uses comedy as a bridge to the heart of the hearer. Proverbs tells us that a laughing heart does good like a medicine.

Having learned the techniques of mime the university theater department asked him to teach an accredited class in mime. In 1972 it was suggested that he use drama for the glory of God. Shunning that avenue he began touring secularly full time in 1974; performing and teaching. This activity pulled him away from church. After being married with two children he ended up divorced and in prison. He rededicated his life to Jesus and promised never to do drama again, unless it was FOR Him. After release he enjoying the blessings of sitting on the pew. He married the beautiful lady, Desiree, adopted her two children, Candace and Christian, and they had one together - Kyle. In 1993 he was encouraged to start doing drama work for the local church. 2001 he entered full time in the ministry of Drama Evangelism. His oldest sons live in Milwaukee, WI. Tim and his wife Armendena have one child, Annabella with another on the way. Andy and his wife Brandy have one child, Aliva!

Nathan is a full time family evangelist and motivational speaker. With comedy, illusions, drama and music, Nathan spreads THE Message with fun, excitement, and encouragement nearly 250 times per year. Nathan J. takes his program to schools, churches, civic organizations, festivals, and church camps. I married the pastor’s daughter and Deborah directed the choir, and I the music and praise team. At 21 I felt God calling me into the ministry. I tried preaching like our pastor, our assistant pastor, I tried to be Carman, David Huff, nothing really worked until I decided to become myself. Upon the advice of my pastor, I started using magical illusions, comedy, and drama in my preaching. When I used what talents God gave me doors opened. In 1995 we felt the need to be in the ministry full time. Using comedy, drama, illusions, dowel ministry, sign language, we present the Gospel. Deborah and I have four children, Natalie, Nate, Bethany, and Brionna.

Each local conference has unique instructors that offer a variety of talent and abilities. The people listed below, though not necessarily at every CODE, are teachers that when available are brought in because of their extraordinary gifts and understanding of the use of drama as an evangelistic tool!

Lisa Davis is minister of music for The Pentecostals in Pasadena, TX. She and her husband, Justin, are graduates of Indiana Bible College and have a precious boy named Micah. Since the age of 16 Lisa has felt a call to drama . In 1999, she played Esther in the IBC drama, “For Such A Time As This”. She has written and directed several sketches and one full length drama. Although no formal training, she knows that drama is a major part of the ministry that God has given her and continues to further her education. She has been signing since the age of eight. In 2001, she taught her very first sign team, “Holy Thou Art God”, and all 75 of them ministered at the IBC 2001 Music festival. Since then, she has taught sign classes at several conferences and workshops and lead dozens of sign teams.

Gaylen Cantrell currently serves as pastor of the First Pentecostal Church in Hanford, CA.. As a child he was involved in Sunday School and children's presentations around the church. At age 15 he wrote, directed and acted in his first full-length play. With a love for Christian drama, eventually he became director of the church drama ministry in Hanford, CA, the Parable Players. In 1990 he and his wife Doreen founded the Western District Drama Tour of which they directed for 10 years. In 2001 He and his wife joined with Rev. Howi Tiller and Bro.Terry Vik in becoming sponsors of the annual C.O.D.E. WEST. To date, pastor Cantrell and his wife are still actively involved in the drama ministry directing plays for the Parable Players and reaching out to the community through the ministry of Drama.

Kelly Ventura began his ministry in 1991 as a youth pastor. He continued to minister in this capacity for seven years. In 1992 he received his local ministerial license with the United Pentecostal Church International. In 1998 he and his wife Shay began travelling on weekends from their home in Visalia while both were working full time jobs. In June 2000, Kelly Ventura launched into full time ministry. He received his General License in 2002, and was Ordained with the UPCI in the spring of 2005. He is now a full time evangelist travelling throughout California, South East Texas, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, West Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Louisiana. Kelly Ventura lives in Central California with Shay--his lovely wife of twelve years--and his four year old "Drama Queen" Lauren. The Lord has blessed his ministry, as hundreds have received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Your prayers and support make it possible for Kelly Ventura to continue to bring God's love and power to hundreds of souls throughout our Nation.