The One Way story…
By Liz Vonseggen and Kristofer Sommerfeld
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
Dale and Liz Vonseggen
In the beginning, there were two young high school teachers (Dale and Liz VonSeggen) who loved God and believed strongly in God’s promise: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6. NLT
There never was a big “plan” to build a large ministry…just a strong desire to connect God-called people with creative, Bible-based resources to impact the spiritual journey of “God’s Kids.” What began as 3 homemade puppets and 16 original puppet scripts, written by Dale and Liz VonSeggen and used at a district camp meeting, was such a tiny start with no great expectations. One Way Street, Inc. happened so gradually…local church leadership, starting a small puppet team to hold junior high kids in the church, teaching at conferences, sharing experiences through a monthly newsletter, following God’s call to Denver, teaming with talented and dedicated staff, saying “yes” to ministry invitations from cities across the USA and then across the world. Below are the major milestones in the journey of Dale and Liz VonSeggen through One Way Street, Inc.
1974 - “Puppets from One Way Street”
The VonSeggens attend the Fellowship of Christian Magicians convention in Winona Lake, IN. Dale sells puppets made by a parent of one of Liz’s high school students. “Puppets from One Way Street” is born. The original 16 scripts are offered for sale.
1978
Dale and Liz move to Denver, Colorado, where Dale becomes a full-time children’s pastor. They begin 19 years of leadership of the “Victory in Puppetry” Puppet Team and use that team to teach spiritual truths and train many other youth puppet teams across the country.
1980-1985 - “One Way Street, INC."
“Puppets from One Way Street” incorporates and becomes “One Way Street, Inc.” A monthly newsletter is used to share training ideas, creative resources, and announce training events where Dale and Liz share their experiences and resources for children and youth, largely through the use of puppets, music, and other creative tools. By 1985 the newsletter has 1,200 paid subscribers.
1987
Dale and Liz began an annual training event for children’s ministry workers called Children’s Ministry University. This event lasted 13 years and inspired youth and adults alike to reach children for God through puppets and other creative tools. Through this event, Dale and Liz established friendships and working relationships with others who later assisted Dale and Liz in the many One Way Street festivals and training events
1990-1995
The first full-length book “Puppets: Ministry Magic” written by Dale and Liz is published by Group Publishing. Taffy the Duck, created by Dave Privett in 1991 is introduced and Liz is voted “Ventriloquist of the Year” at the 17th annual international Vent Haven ConVention in KY. Regional Festivals have been established in 17 major cities across the United States. Total attendance reaches 7,015 by 1993. The same year the largest festival occurs in Chicago with an attendance of 1,254.
1996-2001
With the success of the regional festivals, Dale makes the decision to launch an International Festival to be held at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois.
The first “International Festival of Puppetry and Ventriloquism” had 700 registrants and featured the full-length original musical “Outer Space…Inner Space” written by Liz VonSeggen, Todd Liebenow, and Dave Privett with all original music by Mark Bradford. In 1999 One Way Street celebrated its 25th anniversary and in 2001 Children’s Ministry Magazine named Dale and Liz as one of the top ten “Pioneers of the Decade” that made the most impact on the world of children’s ministry.
Dale and Liz VonSeggen continued to reach and teach youth and their leaders to serve God through creative tools. One Way Street originated and published many resources including music products, teaching units, object lessons, and of course puppets. Mark Bradford was the creator of the very popular Righteous Pop Music series that many puppet teams performed around the country. Internships were established and several summers young college-age students travelled with One Way Street staff to further inspire their audiences to follow Jesus as well as learn creative tools to use in their own ministries.
October 1, 2006
Dale and Liz VonSeggen sold One Way Street, Inc. to long-time employees Todd and Amie Liebenow. Dale remained one year in an advisory role, but Todd and Amie stepped up to lead the creative ministries outreach of this company that God had blessed for so many years. Todd continued to direct the creation of new products and led many training events across the country while Amie shouldered the business side of One Way Street.
The International Festival of Christian Puppetry and Ventriloquism (I-Fest) continued to be held annually at Olivet Nazarene University.
Todd and Amie Liebenow
August 8, 2011 - “Creative Ministry Solutions”
A major change in the company occurred with the resolution of One Way Street, Inc. and the birth of a new entity called Creative Ministries Solutions. The general economy in the nation was struggling and churches pulled back on funding for creative ministry conferences and tools. Todd and Amie stepped back from ownership but continued to work in the business as before. Dale and Liz again became owners and directors of the new company. God was still at work to use the VonSeggens in creative ministry.
January 1, 2015
As Dale and Liz looked toward their future and the future of the company, other long-time employees offered to purchase the Creative Ministries Solutions. Keir (KJ) Schmidt, Kristi (Schmidt) Stewart, and Susan & Keith Schmidt became the new owners and worked hard to create even more new products and continue the training festivals which had become so important to the growth and impact of One Way Street from the beginning.
The Schmidts and the Stewarts inspired hundreds of teens and adults in creative ministry across the United States. They continued the International Festival, which had changed over the years to include other creative arts such as clowning, magic, balloons, stick ministry, drama, and more. The conference name was shortened to become the “International Creative Arts Festival.” (I-Fest)
2015-2021
Keir Schmidt served as CEO at Creative Ministries Solutions with his sister Kristi Stewart in the office and Susan Schmidt as Events Director. For over 25 years they had been strong staff contributors to the total success of One Way Street, Inc. and continued to take the company to the next level. The Schmidts and Stewarts led the 20th anniversary of I-Fest on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in July of 2021. The pandemic of 2020-2021 took a huge toll on the many scheduled events of CMS, so the company faced many obstacles, but continued to serve God as He had called them to do.
The biggest challenge came when CEO Keir Schmidt contracted COVID in the fall of 202l and passed from this life to Heaven on December 6, 2021.
Keir “KJ” Schmidt
2022-Present - “The Birth of One Way Squared”
In the following February of 2022, the decision was made by the Schmidts to dissolve Creative Ministries Solutions. Susan called Kristofer Sommerfeld, owner of Kristofer Sommerfeld Productions and it’s brands Puppedcation™, PlaySoup, and the Creative Arts Store. In March of 2022 he met with Keith, Susan, and Kristi and purchased many of the original One Way Street products and assets. On March 15, 2023, a new company was launched called “One Way Squared”
Kristofer desires to honor the legacy of One Way Street and Creative Ministries Solutions as he seeks to follow God’s plans for his life of service in the creative arts!
