Drama, Outreach and Fun! A Tribute to My Church Home

My kids were blessed to be a part of a great production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at our church a few weeks ago. After two performances, and late nights of fun and stardom and church restoration, they were more than pretty tired. Our school day finally began today at the pace a slug eats a hosta around 9:30 (or maybe 10:00). Star one, age 10, was still not dressed when he ventured

downstairs to make himself an egg. I have to say that, although we had theater jet lag, I still am in awe of how wonderful it was to get behind on schoolwork, lose sleep and have a messy house for the cause. I say this because we are blessed with a church that gives people a voice for their gifts and a place for God see his people bloom into their purpose.

Every church talks about outreach. Some do it better than others. Some wonder how they will accomplish outreach. Some wonder why nobody is coming on Sundays and some wonder how they will keep up with the many needs God’s purposes present to them. I was blessed to see how one woman’s vision has connected people with the love

of God through theater. People from all over our community were needed to fill parts in this amazing play. Kids came from the neighborhoods nearby to be a part of the “Rainbow Kids” children’s choir. Speaking for our family, experience in that area was less important than the mission at hand, and my kids were given the opportunity to grow and perform. (The fact that they actually completed an hour and a half production twice is a miracle of grace I’m still reeling from.)

What our director offered for all those who participated was not just great inspiration and direction, but unconditional love and grace. While there, each kid was prayed over twice from the heart. While the rehersals went on, the “notes” included prayers for those there, and those they knew who were the sick, and teamwork was a must.

The little kids were dismissed on time, whether rehearsal was complete or not, so they could get to bed. That was a true act of faith! Matthew 6:33 says we should put God’s kingdom first and he will meet all our needs. This was surely evident

this weekend, as a row of at least 12 kids, age 7 to 11 sat still when they needed to and performed exceptionally when their time came, with not a mistake to be found. They knew the blessing it was to be a part of such a great project and sought the autographs of the “stars” living in our community.

As I sat in the audience Friday night, I saw how this project gave kids an outlet for their passions, a place for some to escape into a world of music and friendship, where they are loved and where they know God loves them. I talked to someone in the audience who told about how this mission loved her grandson and how it helped him blossom in a world that seemed

against him. Wow! What if we all used our gifts that way? Do you have a passion for your community and a gift to share?

Outreach? It happens naturally when we love others to God. If you have it, people will catch it! So, if you don’t see

the people coming to your church and you wonder what you’re doing wrong, turn your eyes on Him and then on yourself. Every congregation is full of people with strengths and talents, and, if we spend more time listening to God and less time talking to and about him, more unconventional, inspirational, passion-directed love-overflowing ministry will occur.

If people can't see what God is doing,

they stumble all over themselves;

But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed.

Proverbs 29:18 The Message

Thanks to Katlyn Worrell for sharing her great photos with me and to the inspiring woman with the big ideas who makes it all possible - Sara Bartlett Farren.  Special thanks also to Diane Zuber who was blessed to guide the Rainbow Kids into stardom!