April 2009 holds some real excitement as we unveil God’s plans for the new Passion Play. It has been three years in the making and songs, cast, crew, and plans are coming together. Please continue to be in prayer for the play and the impact it will have on the Body of Christ here at OFBC, as well as our community and beyond.
Share a bit about what the Passion Play means to you and your involvment. List family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors that you are inviting for prayer support. I look forward to hearing your stories.
4 made decisions to accept Christ
3 redidicated their life to Christ
Following comments were made on cards:
Rev. Fred Astin: Looking back to when we began this ministry I am amazed at how God has used this presentiaton. Sara and I rejoice in your faithfulness and dedication to being used by our Lord to make an impact for the Kingdom.
Connie: I was visiting a friend in NC. We planned a trip to Charleston but she “surprised” me with tickets to the Passion. It was gloriously great! I am a believer and am very inspired! God Bless!
Richard: Beautiful. God bless you all!
Susan: Great!
Sandra: What a joy to be here!
Joyce: Great performance! I ejoyed it very much!
It is a privilege to be a part of this re-enactment. The reminder of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus paid for me, refreshes and renews an ever deepening love for my Savior! I rejoice in the knowledge that “His blood was not just blood, it was precious blood…” shed for me and you! Thank you to our leadership that encourages and prayerfully directs our church through this ministry and so many others! I LOVE OLD FORT BAPTIST CHURCH!!!!
The Passion Play was once again filled with the power and presence of the Lord. Kudos to Craig Mckenzie for once again his wonderful portrayal of Christ.
Enjoyed the humor, made more like everyday life. Would have liked for the Choir to have sung more.
We had friends attend with us and they were very impressed with the performance.
The new set scenes were very good. Enjoyed the interaction between the priests.
The young boy that made a decision for Christ, was especially wonderful for us at Kid’s Fort. We really pushed the passion play with the children and their parents, and all last week talked about them attending. We prayed that if at least one child from kid’s fort made a decision, it would be worth everything that was done, not only this child, but his parents also came forward, and all will be baptized.
Thank you Choir, all those behind the scenes, Ron, Delores of course Eric for all your hours of hard work. To God Be the Glory!
When I responded to Erik’s request for men to volunteer I had no idea the plans God had for me here at OFBC. After joining in August I told Jennifer that we would slowly integrate into this large church- God had other plans. But I have been the recipient of blessings in getting to know so many of the faithful here at Old Fort. Through filling in during Chris’s illness and now with the PP I am thankful for being allowed to serve with my new brothers and sisters in Christ. I always stress to fellow believers that there will be no Worship 101 class in heaven and that God’s children will know how to worship Him before getting there. Let’s all do just that this weekend. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
What a joy it is to worship the great and soon coming king with all of you ! I am filled with anticipation about what our Lord wants to do through you tonight! Y.B.I.C.
I have also been blessed like never before by being a part of this Passion Play – HOPE! It has been a joy to see God do a miracle in bringing this together. I have seen a genuine joy and Godly focus in rehearsals and during the 1st weekend of presentations by all who are taking a part! I, too, love Old Fort Baptist Church and am honored to be a part of this ministry and church, but am even more thankful that I serve a risen Saviour who knows me and loves me personally! I praise you JESUS!
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Passion Play-Hope! It is hard to believe that tomorrow is Easter Sunday, and we will be performing the final PP of 2009. As I look back to the first meetings with Ron and Delores in September 2008, through all the rehearsals and preparations, and finally the last five presentations of Passion Play-Hope!, one word comes to my mind – FAMILY. The family of wonderful brothers and sisters that makes up Old Fort Baptist Church! I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of this ministry. What a joy it is to come together with my bothers and sisters to worship and serve our Saviour in this way!!
I, too, love Old Fort Baptist Church, and I thank my Lord that I have the honor to be part of this wonderful family.
Ron, Delores, Eric, and Randy- Thank you for your leadership in this great ministry.
We Praise You Lord Jesus!!! Because of You, there is always HOPE!
It is bittersweet that this season in the life of OFBC is over for this year – there is a fervency and excitement surrounding Passion Play because not only do we get to proclaim the Truth in song and drama to those He has placed in front of us but we encourage and “refresh the saints” as Paul describes. The Spirit really used this new presentation to bless me and my family. To see Angie and Aaron blessed and encouraged by what their involvement meant was extraordinary. I was again pierced and convicted by the sacrifice He made for us and the true cost of our salvation.
During the last few performances following an increased application of “blood” by the solidiers something so real and literal about His sacrifice convicted me. Lindsay Lewis’ role as Mary was superb and on these two nights before Craig is taken off the cross, the blood from his crown of thorns and his feet was literally dripping onto Lindsay’s hands and arms. Like running the whip through my hand after the scourging, the “blood” literally stained our flesh and covered our “normal” appearance. PRAISE JESUS FOR THE STAINS!! May we NEVER take that for granted or simply respond to that gift with less than our all. He deserves nothing less than all we have. We are no longer our own….Paul tells us we were bought at a price. May we always be painfully aware of His pain that he endured for us. Then be motivated to being “sold out” and giving our ALL for Him.
Rod is SO right… having those blood stains on my skin was overwhelming! I was OVERCOME with both grief and rejoicing for my SAVIOR every night! Oh, how PRECIOUS is the blood of Jesus -now and forevermore!
It must have been late April or early May of last year. I’ll never forget it. Randy Sorrow and I were leaning on the hand rail at the top of the stairs that leads down to the gym. Randy said he may have found a theme for the 2009 Passion Play. He said that he didn’t know of a time when people needed “HOPE” more than now. The next day I received a package from my sister in North Carolina. It was a song book and CD called “I’m Amazed” by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The first song on the CD said, “Thou, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of my head”. The rest is history.
I could write a book on how the script and music came together. Without remembering Ecclesiastes 3:4, but because of the theme, we wanted to include all four elements of the verse that says, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” It was Mark Twain that said, “The secret source of humor itself is not joy but sorrow.” What better time to produce a smile than through someone’s tears? Hope says, “There is more to life than weeping and mourning.” Thank you Randy for our theme!
I’m amazed (no pun intended) at how God uses individuals in the right place at the right time with the right gift. I’m amazed at how he guides each one in this collective effort to produce a moving piece of art that reveals God’s son as servant, healer, suffering savior, and risen Lord. Each one, no mater how small your role, on or off stage, has given me an unforgettable memory of blessing. “Thank you!” is not sufficient.
Ron Burcham
P. S. I wonder if Mark Twain knew Randy “Sorrow”.
As I am reading the responses before mine, I am overcome with emotion as I realize that so many of you had to be STILL and listen as the Lord spoke to you and led you to the amazing place that He put you in regards to this AWE INSPIRING presentation. There is no doubt we have many talented individuals at Old Fort but without the willingness to be quiet and listen as the Holy Spirit moves and leads we would just be another play. Thank you Randy for sharing with Ron what was on your heart that day as you were talking about the theme for PP 2009. Thank you Ron for appreciating what your sister sent to you in the mail and listening to the CD
and building on that theme. Thank you Delores for putting up with Randy and Ron. Just kidding. Thank you for complimenting them and making sure that everyone followed your leadership. And, thank you Erik for preparing the choir so well. I am so proud of you. Again, I am brought to tears when I see how the Lord is using you at Old Fort. So I am prejudice, but everyone will agree with me. I know your heart and the humility that I see is a reflection of the great love you have for our Lord and the people you serve. You not only prepared our voices for the beautiful task of sharing Christ with the community but you accepted the challenge of preparing our hearts before each performance as you and others led in devotionals and song and prayer. I know our Lord was glorified and I am so thankful and honored to have played a small part. Thank you Randy, Ron, Delores and Erik for LISTENING to the Holy Spirit and being OBEDIENT to His direction. And, thank you Old Fort Worship friends for the wonderful experience of getting to know you better as we shared together through song and drama. God Bless You.
When the time came to start preparing for the Passion Play, I decided I wasn’t going to do it, knowing that I would be 9 months pregnant. However, at some point I decided to give it a go. I’m so glad I did! What a blessing to be a part of such an amazing act of worship and outreach. This was my second year, and even thought it’s a huge commitment, it’s so worth it! It is a privilege to be a part of something like this. Paul and I are moving sometime this summer, so unfortunately we won’t be a part of it again, but will always remember and cherish our memories here. We will miss Old Fort so much!
3 made decisions to accept Christ
3 redidicated their life to Christ
Following comments were made on cards:
Diane: Excellent!
Viola: The close I get to God, the more alive he is. I know that there is hope in the midst of the trials and tribulation that I’m going through now. Please pray for me. The play has given me more hope. God bless your ministry.
Sandra: One of the best plays I’ve ever seen. It really touched my heart. Keep up the good work. God bless you.
Linda: Wonderful, Wonderful! Praise the Wonderful Name of Jesus!
Ray & Bethany: What a wonderful presentation. Our 1st time ever witnessing this. We look forward to next year.
Michelle: You always put on a wonderful play. May God Bless you!
Aliza: The play was wonderful. It has brought hope and purpose to my relocation. Thank you!
Genia: Awesome! Wonderful! Terrific! Thank you!
Eloise: I enjoyed it very much. It was great.
Carolyn: I really enjoyed the play.
Carlton & Rose: Great Job Done! May God Bless you all!
Regina: Then you for sharing Passion & Hope. Amen
Latonia: The play really ministered to my spirit.
DeeDee & Billy: It was great. Thank you.
Bryan & Susan: Awesome!
Rita: Great!
Hope: Awesome job.
Michelle: My family and I attended your passion play on Fri,April 3. This was our first time attending, we had heard so many great things about it but had never attended. We did not have tickets and we were welcomed by your staff to come on in!! We were truly blessed by the wonderful presentation of Jesus crucifixtion. The theme of HOPE was meant for this program. This was such a wonderful program to see at Easter. I am in hopes that my family and I will attend this program in the future. I pray your church will continue to do!! I am a Christian and to see Jesus being whipped brought tears to my eyes at your play but to know and understand that he did this for me as well as others is so overwhelming at times! He is truly my HOPE. THANKS AGAIN FOR A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION!!
Denise: Just wanted you to know- you guys did an excellent job again this year. My little ones enjoy the play and ask to go every year. This year, my littlest one- Josh (7)- got saved during the invitation. Praise God! Thank you so much for all of your sacrifice put into the production and making yourselves a vessel for the Holy Spirit to move and forever change people’s lives!