Once upon a time, I too held romantic notions of setting out, traipsing through jungles, and crossing cultural boundaries to share the gospel in some remote corner of the world. Oh how small my understanding was!
I love how Ali shared in her post last week
“Service and missions don’t necessarily mean Amazonian jungles (although they may) or traveling to unknown lands (although they may).”
For while God was stirring the fire in my heart for His people and His church, He was developing in me a unique set of skills. As I grew in my faith and maturity, I saw Him cultivating a passion for storytelling through theatre. Though I wasn’t always aware of how He would use me and my enthusiasm for the arts, I realize now He was equipping me to be a part of sharing a Story the world is desperate to hear.
Piercing Word
The roads finally met for me when my actor husband moved us to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to take a job at Sight & Sound. That is a story for another time, but the point is, we found ourselves in a new part of the country, in a place rich with Biblically based, gospel-centered, missions-focused theatre!
Enter Piercing Word, a group of professional actors who seek to “ignite passion for the Word of God in the heart of the church through live Scripture performances.” I was immediately intrigued by the idea, but it still took a few years before I really got involved.
When I finally did attend a Piercing Word performance I was blown away. The script was word for word Scripture! The heart of the story came alive through all the theatrical elements I loved – costumes, set, and acting!
Ambassadors
Piercing Word started small, with an actor who knew Scripture reading didn’t have to be dry and uninspired. It has grown by leaps and bounds, reaching more than 30,000 people with the Word, taking it to churches, festivals, and schools. The ministry focuses on encouraging believers in all stages of faith while also presenting a clear gospel message. Stories and themes all connect back to Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
Over the years I have been blessed to use and develop those skills God gifted to me through my involvement with Piercing Word. They have allowed me to direct, arrange Scripture performances, and teach classes and summer camps to ignite passion for the Word of God in the heart of the next generation. My daughter, a budding young actress who loves all things theatre, started performing with them when she was nine years old. Her work has allowed her to encounter the Scriptures with fresh eyes. In a particularly beautiful rendition of Ruth she learned, in a new way, what it means that Jesus is our Redeemer.
What the Word can Accomplish
This work often reminds me of Isaiah 55:10&11
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Rain falls indiscriminately upon the ground and from that all manner of things are nurtured and grown. Piercing Word uses Scripture performance to send God’s Word out into the world where it can accomplish His purpose and succeed in reconciling people to their Redeemer.
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