I’ve always taken the logo design an organization uses for granted. Which colors, shapes, and symbols are used, while appreciated subconsciously, was not something I understood. I know what I like and don’t like in design, but I’ve never actually been part of the logo creation process.
Thankfully, like most things I’ve done in ministry, I didn’t have to do it alone. With the help of 99designs.com and our good friend Blake Imeson from LimeCuda, coming up with the logo for MRN was fun – not easy, but enjoyable.
The logo should incorporate a simple mark that can be used as a standalone symbol, like as a site favicon. Possible mark directions… Cross, Connectedness, Africa/Malawi.”
This quote is part of a larger piece that Blake typed up for our design submission. The final logo we went with struck the right balance on all three things we were looking for: Cross, Connectedness, Africa/Malawi. Read each section below, and then look back at the logo; you’re likely to notice some things you would have missed at first glance.
CROSS
It may seem obvious to us with so many great churches in America, but what is sorely missed in Malawi, especially with the mass indoctrination of the prosperity gospel, is the cross of Christ. The call to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Luke 9:23) Pray with us that the cross would be faithfully proclaimed in Malawi.
CONNECTEDNESS
The “N” in MRN is our long-term commitment to the reformation of Malawi via a Network of churches. We believe that the best thing that can happen to Malawi is the healthy multiplication of confessional Reformed churches through sound theological education and pastoral training. Pray with us that over the next 15 years, each of the triangles in our logo would represent these types of churches, to the glory of God.
AFRICA / MALAWI
And of course, it should represent the country itself. One of the things we are most excited about when talking about MRN is that Malawians are being trained up to go home and plant these churches. Pray with us for godly pastors in the years to come, who have a heart for the gospel and a passion for the reformation of their homeland.
One of the things we are most excited about when talking about MRN is that Malawians are being trained up to go home and plant these churches. Tweet itThe vivid colors of the logo are not only an African theme, but inspired by the fish and textiles of Malawi.
So, when you see the logo, remember how you can pray; it truly is a wonderful way to support this work. Thank you for being a part of MRN, we hope you’re as excited as we are to see what the Lord will do.
In Christ,
Barry Peterson
Don’t forget to RSVP for our next event, a free screening of The American Gospel, January 18th: