As Christians around the world observe Easter today, the congregation of one local church took time to reflect on not only what it means to be a believer, but also on the way an annual tradition has deepened their spiritual journey.
This is the 26th year Fairview Baptist Church has presented its “Living Pictures” drama — a sweeping theatrical production which requires more than three months of practice and nearly 400 cast members and crew.
Joe Godfrey has portrayed a disciple for most of those years. He said his role has not only helped him become a better Christian, but it has also helped him become a better person.
Because of the intensity of the drama, which reenacts scenes from Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, it can be an equally intense, emotional experience for the actors and actresses, as well as the audience.
David Perry first saw “Living Pictures” back in 1994, before he was a member of Fairview. Two years later, he dedicated his life to God and joined the church. It took him nearly a week of deep thought and prayer before he agreed to participate in the drama.
That first year, Perry portrayed a leper. For the past 16 years, he has portrayed a soldier — a role which he said is hard to perform, because actors are challenged to get in character and play their part as realistically as possible.
“Kids come up and tap me on the leg after, look up at me and say, ‘You’re the one who beat Jesus,'” he said. “Then they’ll kick me in the leg.”
“It’s overwhelming,” said Melissa Holley, who plays Mary, the mother of Jesus.
She has always tried to teach her two children, Tanner, 11, and Alex, 14, that Easter is more than just history, but even she was surprised by the emotions she experienced last year, the first time she took the stage as Mary.
As she saw Jesus’ battered, bloody body lifted up, she became so unexpectedly emotional that she broke script and snatched his crown of thorns from the stage and flung it at the soldiers.
But there is a measure of comfort she has found also — one she attributes to “Living Pictures.” She has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, but she said she isn’t afraid now. By living the crucifixion and resurrection through her part in “Living Pictures,” she said she now realizes that for Christians who believe in the resurrection, there is no reason to worry.
That understanding just hit home for Jennifer Middlebrooks as well. She and her husband, Steve Middlebrooks, are in the drama with five of their six children, Taylor, 18; Bobby, 13; Sam, 11; David, 9; and Jack, 8. Their oldest child, Sarah, 20, watched from the audience.
This was the first year for the whole family to take part, and Jennifer Middlebrooks said it made her more aware of what she was doing during the day, trying to live a life that was in accordance with the role she was about to play.
As for her children, they’ve started to ask questions that have given the young couple the opportunity to move beyond the fun and games of the Easter Bunny and keep their family focus on Christianity.
Rehearsing together has brought a deeper perspective to both Easter and their connection as a family. On the first night, she was moved to tears, and in trying to recount the story, she began crying again.
“It does become real,” she said. “I saw my children raise their candles, and I knew we’ll all be in heaven together one day.”
The timeless story never grows old, said Chris Crowley, who portrays Jesus and has been a “Living Pictures” cast member for more than 23 years.
“Each year, the gospel’s just fresh,” he explained while waiting in the hallway to be called onstage. “Every year, it’s a good time of renewal, a time to get refocused on your priorities.”
It’s also a good time for the congregation to come together in an act of fellowship and worship, said Vickie Kimbrell, who has directed the drama for more than two decades.
“It just makes it come alive,” she said. “You study scripture, you act it out and it just comes alive. It is the body of Christ working together to bring this to our community.”
The last performance of the year will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at Fairview Baptist Church, which is located at 127 Airline Road. Free tickets are available at the church office. For more information, call 662-328-2924.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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