Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellis (el) Maryland. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ellis (EL), thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I get my work ethic from my father. He worked tirelessly to provide for our family, and his dedication to his job taught me the value of hard work and responsibility. Growing up, I watched him put in long hours and make sacrifices, and it instilled in me the belief that success comes from consistent effort and determination.
But it was more than just his hard work that inspired me; it was the reasons behind it. My father wasn’t just working for a paycheck; he was motivated by a deep love for our family. He wanted to ensure that we had everything we needed—food on the table, a roof over our heads, and opportunities for a better future. This sense of purpose fueled his relentless drive, showing me that hard work isn’t just about the grind; it’s about the impact it has on the people you love.
His example motivates me to strive for excellence in everything I do, whether it’s in my career or personal projects. I’ve learned that true success isn’t just about achieving goals for myself; it’s about how my efforts can positively affect others. I aim to honor his legacy by applying that same level of commitment to my own endeavors, always keeping in mind the values of dedication and purpose that he instilled in me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Ellis Maryland, and my journey has been all about stepping out in faith and trusting God’s plan. In 2015, I left my career in the mortgage industry to focus on church media and creative ministry. It wasn’t easy, but I felt called to something bigger. Now, I’m the founder of Atlanta Church Creatives, a growing community of church media professionals. We started this in 2021, and it has grown into a network that supports hundreds of creatives across 400-500 churches in the Atlanta area.
What excites me most about this community is seeing how church creatives come together, support each other, and grow in their craft. We’ve built a space where people can share their work, get inspired, and find real connection. We don’t just focus on the technical side of media production, but also on personal growth and collaboration.
There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening! In 2023, we successfully launched Phoenix Church Creatives, expanding our community to Arizona. The response has been incredible, and we’re working on starting similar groups in other cities like Odessa, Nashville, Chicago, and Raleigh. In October 2023, we launched Cameras and Coffee, an exciting opportunity for videographers and cinematographers to connect. The idea behind it was to create a casual and welcoming environment where individuals passionate about video production could gather, share insights, and learn from one another.
Another big highlight was our Film Fest Challenge, which turned out to be a huge success. We were blown away by the level of creativity, and we’re definitely planning to do more of those in the future.
We’ve also launched a YouTube channel to showcase tutorials, creative projects, and behind-the-scenes content from our community. It’s a platform where creatives can continue learning, connect with others, and gain inspiration for their church media work.
We’ve got some major events lined up as well. In January, we’re hosting Let’s Talk About Production and Worship, which will focus on the intersection of creative arts, worship, and church production. This follows up on the success of our previous events like Let’s Talk About LIVE PRODUCTION and our mini-conferences that have brought church creatives together to learn and collaborate.
f you’re a creative in the church space, I want you to know that you don’t have to do this alone. Our community is all about supporting each other, and we’ve built this network to encourage creatives to grow both professionally and personally. We’re planning more workshops and events to help creatives sharpen their skills and connect with others. Plus, we’re expanding our merch line to include more items specifically for church creatives—check it out at borntocreate.store.
There’s so much more to come, and I’m excited to see how God continues to use this community to impact lives!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I think the three most impactful qualities or skills in my journey were consistency, community-building, and adaptability.
Consistency: When I first started Atlanta Church Creatives, I committed to posting regularly, sharing valuable content, and being present in the community. It wasn’t just about starting something, but about staying consistent over time. This helped build trust and engagement in the community. My advice for those just starting out is to show up consistently, even when it feels like no one’s watching. Keep putting in the work and sharing your passion—it will pay off.
Community-Building: I quickly realized that people crave connection, especially creatives who often feel isolated. Building a community where people feel supported and encouraged has been central to everything we do. For anyone beginning their journey, I’d say focus on relationships. Find ways to bring people together and highlight their strengths. It’s not just about your work—it’s about lifting others up and creating a space where everyone can thrive.
Adaptability: The creative and church media space is constantly evolving, and I’ve had to learn to adapt to new trends, technologies, and challenges. Whether it’s launching a YouTube channel, organizing conferences, or expanding to new cities, being open to change has been crucial. My advice is to stay curious and flexible. Learn new skills, pivot when necessary, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Success often comes from being able to adjust and grow with the times.
For those early in their journey, I’d encourage developing these qualities by staying committed to your vision, actively seeking out community, and embracing change. Keep learning and stay open to new opportunities—you never know where they’ll lead!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, we are definitely looking for folks to partner and collaborate with! At Atlanta Church Creatives, we’re passionate about expanding our community and collaborating with people who share a similar vision of using creativity for ministry. We welcome anyone who’s involved in church media, production, worship, storytelling, or anything that enhances the worship experience. Whether you’re a creative director, videographer, sound technician, graphic designer, musician, or part of any ministry team, we’d love to connect.
We’re also open to partnering with other organizations or individuals who are passionate about building creative communities. If you’re interested in hosting workshops, conferences, or collaborative projects, or even joining forces for future events like our Let’s Talk About Worship conference or Film Fest Challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
To get involved, you can connect with us through our Facebook group Atlanta Church Creatives or send us a message through Instagram. You can also reach out via email or visit our website for more info. We’re always excited to grow our network and work together to elevate church media and creative ministry across different cities. Let’s create something amazing together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atlchurchcreatives.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlchurchcreatives
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/groups/atlchurchcreatives
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@atlantachurchcreatives/
Image Credits
Corban Lundborg
Erica Fields
Matthew Choe
Debbie Garrett
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
