drive-through Passion Play may not be the first thing that comes to mind for evangelism at Easter, but at least one church has found the effort to be more than worth it.
Riva Trace Baptist Church in Annapolis, Maryland, uses "bridge events" to attract unchurched families to the gospel.
"Its all about making church user-friendly and relevant to everyday living," says Dennis Gray, senior pastor. "We want people to become comfortable with church," Dennis says.
The Scenes of Easter is just such an event presenting a unique drive-through experience depicting seven live, dramatic scenes from Easter week. Drivers and passengers view the chronological scenes on church grounds as they make their way from set to set.
"Its like going to the theater without ever getting out of your car," explains Dr. Bill Bloomquist, minister of music and producer of The Scenes of Easter.
Many people will not step foot in a church, but they will bring their children and out-of-town guests to see a drive-through. It costs nothing, is entertaining, and is a nonthreatening way to celebrate a spiritual holiday. "Our advantage," says Bill, "is that we get to share the gospel story."
The story begins in the first scene with Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Next is the Lords Supper scene where Jesus bids farewell to His beloved disciples. It opens with Jesus predicting His betrayal by Judas and His crucifixion.
Following the Lords Supper is the arrest in the garden and Peters denial.
"People seem stunned," says Carol Thompson, church member and scene director. "They cant believe we go through all this troublefor free. I think many wonder what motivates us to do this."
The answer is staged in the next two scenesJesus before Pilate and the crucifixion. The crucifixion scene is the most dramatic. It features an actual cross, assembled with wooden pegs. Roman soldiers clad with swords and shields thrash Jesus with a flagrum before putting Him on the cross.
The drive-through finale is the resurrection scene. A fog machine and strobe lights are used for special effects as the stone is rolled away from the empty tomb and an angel appears announcing that Jesus has risen.
The Scenes of Easter is consistently a successful community evangelism event for Riva Trace, and it could be adapted to accommodate most communities and churches. But it does require months of advanced planning, volunteer recruitment and hours of preparation.
"Our first year we made 80 costumes," Bill explains. "The following years we added new costumes and upgraded old ones." His wife, MaryAnn, a member of the Screen Actors Guild, directs the cast of 100 actors and the seven scene directors who monitor the scenes during each nights performance.
Meanwhile, the publicity committee is hard at work. A logo was developed the first year and is now used in paid advertising and all printed materials promoting the event. Church leaders encourage members to hang professionally printed posters in public locations. One month prior to the event, they print free tickets that are inserted in the Sunday bulletin for members to hand out to friends and acquaintances. They purchase ad space in the local newspaper.
In April 1999, more than 2,000 people attended The Scenes of Easter, and due to the unexpected influx of people, many were guided through on foot by church staff so no one would be turned away.
"Without proper planning," cautions Bill, "this can be a logistical nightmare." To avoid a disaster and ensure a successful outreach event for a community, Bill offers these tips:
Dont procrastinate. You cant start too early. Your biggest time-buster is the costumes. And dont forget to hone those scripts.
Get support. This is a big project, and success requires the support of your church leaders. Volunteer recruitment is most difficult the first year.
Create authentic scenes. Begin with research and build the scenes from your findings. Each scenes backdrop or flat should be designed and painted by an artist. Use colors from the time period, mostly natural earth tones and jewel tones. For easy set up, build supports that serve as an easel for the flats and that can be assembled and anchored to the ground with ease. Dont forget your props.
Plan your setup and logistical needs. Survey church property and determine the best route for the cars and positioning of the scenes. Determine your electrical needs. Time each scene during a dress rehearsal, determining the total time to complete the drive-through and how best to manage traffic.
Avoid traps that distract from the primary purpose of evangelism. Dont be too ambitious. Be realistic, and dont try to be too big too soon. Pray a lot, and always remember whats really important that people need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Alysia Mathisen is the communications liaison for the Center for Christian Statesmanship in Washington, D.C.
Heres a great idea to involve children in the Easter story in a unique way and to teach them about Jesus sacrifice for our sakes.
This recipe for baking Easter cookies comes with a special message, and you can use them with your family or for a slumber party. The recipe is best used the night before Easter, but the message will come through any time of year.
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
1 large plastic zip bag
wooden spoon
mixing bowl
cookie sheet
wax paper
tape
Bible
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (this is importantdont wait until youre half done with the recipe).
Place the pecans in a large plastic zip bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat Him. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Tell the children that the eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into both hands of each child. Let the children taste it from one hand and brush it from the other hand into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
Say: "So far the ingredients are not very appetizing." Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity God sees in those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Go to bed (Make sure the oven is off). Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow. On the first Easter Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Wed love to give credit to the original author, but we dont know who she (or he) is.
A simple invitation changed Chris Edmonds life. Her daughter and son-in-law invited her to The Scenes of Easter four years ago.
"I was impressed but remember wondering, What would make all these people go through this for free?" she explained.
The enormity of hosting an event like thiswith all the lighting, costumes, props and peopleimpacted Chris the most. "I knew the Easter story; I had gone to church my whole life but was awestruck by the joy on their faces and in their smiles. I knew they had something I didnt have."
Chris says she remembers being moved to tears by the dramatic portrayal, especially the crucifixion scene, and was determined to find some answersthis time. She began attending Riva Trace on Sunday mornings. A few weeks later the pastor and some members from the church visited her home. "Thats when I really learned why these people cared so muchthey have the love of Christ and wanted me to have it, too." Chris accepted Christ that night and later became an active member of Riva Trace Baptist Church.
One year later Chris was participating in The Scenes of Easter. She was now "one of those people" with joy on her face. She played one of the women who accuses Peter of being with Jesus. "By the end of each night, Im hoarse," Chris says. "I just love it!"
At a church dinner for volunteers, Chris told the group, "You just dont know how you are going to impact people. Im a living testimony to that reality; I wasnt here a year ago. Even though you may not see the results right away, The Scenes of Easter does plant seeds."