Terry Whaples comes to the creative arts industry from a nearly 30-year career in hospitality. She previously served as partner and president of Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, where she not only managed overall hotel operations, but also transformed Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort into the first-ever Nickelodeon hotel and pioneered the widely adapted revolutionary KidSuitesŪ concept. This concept, which provides kids with their own private space, bedding and amenities, can now be found in more than 100 Holiday Inns and has been adopted by several international hotel chains.

During her tenure with Holiday Inn, Whaples simultaneously balanced her many hospitality endeavors while attending Clown College and Vent Performer School. Her interest in creative arts led to the establishment of Cooker T. Ministries, a nonprofit foundation committed to clown and ventriloquist performances for children and families.

In 2006, Whaples sold her share of Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn with plans for retirement. However, God inspired Whaples with a vision to fuse her passion for children and ministry with her creative expertise for the purpose of winning souls for Christ, which led to the birth of a new direction for Whaples & Associates. Whaples brought talented pastors and other ministry professionals – leaders in the faith-based creative arts community – together to provide teaching tools to teachers through creative arts in the inaugural CARAT Conference.

Terry uses visual performing arts to teach God’s Truths. Our shows take the form of creative storytelling utilizing gospel illusions, music, ventriloquism, balloon sculptures, cartoon drawings, face painting, clowning, comedy , stilt walking and paper cutting object lessons. Although our program varies based on ages of the audience, subject matter, or themed events. The message of Jesus Christ is always the same.

“...Terry is creative and innovative in teaching workshops at church and teaches us how to reach children on their level. I have never met a person who has such a wonderful heart for Christ. Her workshop will make a difference in your church and children’s ministry.”
                                                                                                                                                                            Keith Nicholson, Children’s Pastor

“First Baptist of Windermere has been privileged to have Cooker T. Ministries perform for several of our events from entertaining our senior adults to teaching great Bible lessons to our children and families. Their creativity and professionalism bring a dynamic show that can be enjoyed by all ages. The heart of each program is always teaching God’s truth in an easy and fun way that everyone can understand.”
                                                                                                                                            Gail Hatmaker, Director of Adult and Family Ministries

“Your presentation was one of the favorites... It helps one feel good about laughing, even with an asymmetrical face, when a message about the benefits of laughter is presented in such a relaxed and pleasant way.”
                                                                                                                                                                     Celia Santini, Ph. D., Florida Hospital
                                                                                                                                                                             Facial Neuromuscular Retraining

 

To Book Terry Whaples call 407.903.0240