Sharing her voice

Ventriloquist Dawn Getley of Mutley Baptist Church and her little friends are popular with young and old alike

Everyone wants to voice their comments effectively enough to influence others. Dawn Getley does this in a creative way with ventriloquism and illustrated messages that touch thousands of lives.

An evangelist with OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners), she helps youngsters – and the not so young – to think through spiritual issues and make the right choices.
 
‘On Wednesday we welcomed Dawn Getley, our local talented ventriloquist preacher, to lead worship,’ one head teacher posted on a Plymouth school website. ‘The children always enjoy Dawn’s visits and as usual she had us all in stitches of laughter at the silly antics of Horace, her little friend…
 
Although all over the city children recognise Dawn as Horace’s Mum, she uses a range of puppets with her illustrated teaching.

One is Aquaduck who also appeals to adults when she speaks at churches and events such as Messy Church.

Dawn said, ‘I've been doing this for almost 30 years now, so we think, conservatively, that over the years about 100,000 children have come to know Horace and the Bible accounts through the schools work.
 
‘My puppets and I are often part of the service on a Sunday morning at Mutley Baptist Church, taking the children's slot.

'I do try to make sure it communicates with the adults as well! One of the most popular is Aquaduck, who has everyone in his fan club from the very youngest to the very oldest in the church.

'My opening line, just to introduce myself to those who may be new to the church is always, “Hello! I'm Dawn and I'm part of the church family here at Mutley”.’
 
Dawn’s OAC ministry draws heavily on her gifts of ventriloquism and sketchboard painting. A qualified teacher and author, her book Child’s Play enables others to reach children with 66 New Testament messages accompanied by sketchboard illustrations.
 
Recently, one person suggested another means of expanding her work.

After a children’s slot in church, the mother of a two-and-a-half year old daughter Rosie sent this message.  ‘I came into the front room as I heard Rosie apparently chatting to herself...turns out she was actually chatting to her toy duck and she said, “Hello, I'm Dawn!” when she saw me. Well…how would you like an apprentice?’

With a view to the future, Dawn happily agrees that another voice to present others with spiritual choice would be welcome.