Art Ayris, CEO of Kingstone Comics, has transformed his passion for ministry into a global mission of spreading the Bible’s message through visually stunning comic books.
Ayris, who previously served as a children’s pastor, founded Kingstone Comics after realizing comics could be an instrumental evangelism tool in reaching not only children but also countless others for the gospel.
“I used to run a large children’s ministry with hundreds of unchurched kids who had no biblical background,” Ayris told ChurchLeaders. “I started from ground zero with many of them, and I was always looking for ways to connect.”
“That’s when I saw the booming market for comics and thought we could do something meaningful,” he continued. “We started with the Bible because I knew it, and after seven years, we completed the Kingstone Bible, the most complete graphic adaptation of Scripture.”
The Kingstone Bible stands apart due to its contributions from artists who have worked for Marvel, DC, and other leading comic publishers.
RELATED: Stallings of ‘War Room’ Fame Finds Choice Role in First Leesburg’s ‘No Vacancy’
Kingstone Comics has impacted communities worldwide. From prisons to remote villages, the comics have opened doors for evangelism.
“Our comics resonate with people who might not pick up a traditional Bible,” Ayris said. “In prison ministries, where many inmates read at a third-grade level, our comics make the Bible accessible.”
“I’ve seen fathers in tough neighborhoods drawn to the comic materials, and missionaries have used them in places like Papua New Guinea, where entire villages read them together,” Ayris said.
Kingstone’s reach extends further through collaborations with organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, which translates and distributes the comics in multiple languages, including in Muslim-majority countries.
“What I’ve seen as a pastor and an evangelist is that there’s a lot of people that, while they won’t pick up a text Bible, they will pick up a comic Bible,” Ayris shared.
