Jim and Anne Mills, founders and international directors of Creative Arts Europe, live in Brussels, Belgium, where they direct the activities of a ministry which spans seven countries.

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Jim is an accomplished guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and bible teacher. Jim's passionate musicality, influenced by the rhythm and blues sounds of his birthplace, is apparent whether you are enjoying his talents by his living room fireplace or in a crowded European concert hall. Jim is also an ordained minister and attended the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he studied for his Master of Divinity, after earning his undergraduate degree (BBA) in marketing advertising from Memphis State University.

Anne, of Shreveport, Louisiana, is a gifted vocalist, photographer and teacher. Her creative vision makes the Brussels Arts House, their centre and home, a warm and inviting place for guests who come from around the world for ministry, projects and times of refreshing. Anne earned her degree in elementary education from Northwestern University.

Jim and Anne met at Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and married in 1975. They were blessed with the birth of their son, James David Mills, in 1981.

The Call to Missions
Jim and Anne began their service together in Hurlach, Germany, in 1976 with Youth with a Mission (YWAM), an international, interdenominational missions organisation. The Mills spent their first 12 years of missionary service in Germany, where YWAM sought innovative ways to reach Europe with the Gospel. The Mills learned from, and contributed to, this pioneering spirit of blending worship with creative evangelism to touch Germany.

On a Musical Note
Jim and Anne recorded their first album, 'At Every Day's Dawning', in 1980. Recorded in German and English, this intimate recording focuses on personal worship to God. Later, in the mid 80's, Jim produced the recording of 'Celebrate His Holiness' (in German 'Feiert Gottes Heiligkeit'), a musical written by Rick and Patty Ridings. With good friends Kirk and Deby Dearman, the Mills co-wrote the musical 'Canticum ad Deum' which toured across Central Europe. This musical production contains the popular chorus 'All Creation Worships You'. Jim's CD, 'Hidden Treasures', a soft rock praise and worship production, was recorded in both German and English in 1990.

Brussels and Beyond
After leaving Youth with a Mission in 1985, Jim and Anne moved to Brussels, Belgium. In 1988, they continued to develop the work that eventually led to the establishment of the arts and culture initiative known today as Creative Arts Europe.

Today the Mills live and work out of the Brussels Arts House, located about 25 minutes south of Brussels in the beautiful Belgian countryside. Jim travels extensively, teaching and speaking at schools, churches and arts events, and performing concerts. Anne manages the international office of CAE and takes care of all those who wander through the Arts House. David is pursuing a degree in journalism and assists with various projects and seminars. "As a family we see ourselves as great grandchildren of Europeans, returning to bless the continent from which our forefathers ventured out".