CTS alumnus Rev. Milton J. Keys (MDiv ’17) is a maestro of many talents. He has served as a pastor, preacher, producer, professor, sound engineer, composer, and coach. Now he can add documentary star to that list.
On August 27th, the documentary film Masterpiece about Keys’ life premiered at the Tobias Theater at Newfields Museum in Indianapolis. Complete with a red carpet experience, the event included a special screening of the film and a question and answer session with Keys and producer Marc Bessiake. The full crowd included numerous CTS alumni, faculty, and community members who have been blessed by Milton’s gifts, ministry, and friendship.
Masterpiece follows Keys as he makes music and ministers with a disability, showing how living with cerebral palsy has affected his faith and life. It explores his perseverance past the limits ableism has tried to place on him, highlighting the ways he advocates not only for himself but also for the generations who will come after him. The film’s title comes from a song Keys wrote, played every instrument for, edited, and produced. The song can be found wherever you stream music – iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, etc. While the film is not yet available for home viewing, it continues to be featured at film festivals and special events. You can view the documentary trailer below.
Keys’ current job is serving as Chief Technical Officer for Indy Urban Youth Music Academy and as the Chapel Sound Engineer for CTS. Milton is also a student in CTS’ Doctor of Ministry program writing a dissertation about training people to empower people with disabilities. He can be heard saying in the documentary’s trailer: “I have something inside of me… a sound… that I know if I get the opportunity to share it, my life will never be the same.” Milton hopes his work will continue to inspire others to look beyond stereotypes of people with disabilities to find their innate, God-given gifts.