Creative Services
John Carter, Creative Services Director
As Creative Services Director, John leads a team that uses integrated marketing communications to promote Family Life and build on its reputation. John and his team create, develop, and implement many forms of communications, including audio/video production, print advertising, and Web design/production. John’s most passionate about using fresh and compelling interactive media to speak the language of today’s media culture, bringing people the most important message they’ll ever hear – The Gospel.
John’s world radically turned upside down when Christ found him at the impressionable age of 17. God has grown John’s passion for Christ over the years, creating in him a heart for God’s plan of salvation and spreading that plan through the media arts.
John was raised in the radio business, his father being a well-known radio personality in the Binghamton area. In high school, John discovered his love for music. He often found himself in the guitar or art room, where he felt most at home. John now finds his favorite outlet for musical expression in the exciting realm of sound design. His recording business, Sound Mind Studio, has produced several bands and solo artist since its inception.
Running in different ministry circles as a worship leader and trainer, John eventually crossed paths with Gary Fizzano and Rick Snavely, who offered him a job with Family Life as a PR rep. Sometime later, John transitioned into being the director of a brand new department at Family Life - Creative Services.
John has been married ten years to his wife Amy and has three children - Hannah, Carter, and Madison. John loves to produce and play music, watch sci-fi movies, and play an occasional video game or two … or three. John also enjoys politics, studying Biblical prophecy, and scouring the Web for interesting blogs.
Darcie Schwarz, Publicity Director/Creative Writer
Darcie works with local and national media to get stories in the news about Family Life. Every day she talks with editors and reporters about what’s new with the ministry. Darcie also helps build positive relationships with media and community organizations, working to co-promote mutual causes for Christ.
A wordsmith at heart, Darcie likes to write, especially about the Christian faith and her experiences with God. So along with generating news coverage, she also writes for Creative Services, creating anything from ads, to billboards, to Web copy.
Darcie came to Family Life in 2007 from Rochester, New York. Caught up in corporate-America, Darcie joined the marketing world after college, doing public relations work for companies like Kodak, Johnson & Johnson, and Citizens Bank. After four years in the business, little job satisfaction and no real happiness, Darcie hit the brakes. Is this it?
One evening a friend invited her to church. The worship there stirred her heart for God for the first time. The experience was life-changing and Darcie went in search of ministries in need of marketing people. As God would have it, Family Life was the place. The ministry decided to hire a Publicity Director the very same day Darcie called about a job – God’s perfect timing. It's mindblowing how God works in our lives, even before you know Him personally.
A true arts fanatic, Darcie got her undergraduate in theatre from Ithaca College. She’s played baseball most of her life, usually first or second base, and enjoys community theatre and cuddling her pet turtle, Toby. (Yes, people do cuddle turtles). Darcie also loves summer-time, however short-lived, for biking along the hilly and scenic streets of downtown Corning.