K N I T T I N G H E A R T S PRESENTS
Surrendered Drama Team
“Impacting Your Sphere of Influence”
Written by Sue Sanders
August 12, 2017
Peace and excitement pervaded the atmosphere of the fellowship hall as ladies and gentleman chatted together and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. After Neil Dubose opened the meeting in prayer, Judy Tolson sang “Chain Breaker” and Dalana Barnett worshipped alongside with her flags. Judy exalted the fact that if we have pain, He is a Pain taker. If we are lost, He is the Waymaker. If we need freedom or saving, He is the Prison-shaking Savior. After Joyce prayed and Liz gave the announcements, Shelika Daniels danced to the song, “I’m Still Here.” This song testifies that Shelika has endured many battles and been broken, but by His grace and mercy she is standing. This was her comeback song. He lifted her up. Hope is rising in Shelika waking up her soul. She is not broken but continues to turn more beautiful. Her best is yet to come. Following the praise dance, Lizzy led us in proclaiming God’s blessing and favor and then prayed for the offering.
Laura Boyington and the “Surrendered” Drama Team from Lake City, SC., shared the Gospel of God’s Word through testimony, drama, & music. The first drama, “Help,” focused on various individuals who needed help: a man on the street, a single mother of three children, a lawyer ready to commit suicide. The individuals and whole city streets were crying out, “Send me a preacher. Will you preach to me? Help me.” The Lord answers their cries and becomes their Hero.
Cole shared his testimony of brokenness and then healing. He illustrated his thoughts with a picture of an abandoned house, a snapshot that he had taken on one of the team’s trips. The house was beaten up and broken. One of the girls from the team is sitting on a cushion on the porch. She is comfortable in her brokenness. Light is shining on the house, but she is turning away. All she has to do is to look to the Light, just as Matt had to do. The inside of the house is full of junk, a picture of what we look like before Jesus. He offers us salvation and cleansing.
The drama, “Alpha and Omega,” began with creation and then demonstrated sin entering the world, moved through various Bible stories, and then highlighted the crucifixion and resurrection. The drama focused in on His glory, His amazing love, His beauty, and His victory. We, the observers, could sense the longing of the Savior, how great His affections are for us. As Heaven met earth like a sloppy, wet kiss, our hearts turned violently inside our chests when we just thought about how much He loves us.
The third drama exalted the fact that He is high on the throne, and that He was there through history’s darkest hours: David killing Goliath, Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac. When the hardest fight seemed so out of reach, God always had bigger plans. He was there, always there, even in the midst of the unclear and when obedience seemed to not make sense. Yes, He was the Victor and the King, the Risen Lamb of God.
“Are You Ready” began with Satan and his plans of destruction: Apocalypse, Nazis, abortion, same sex marriage, World Trade Center, school shooting, Isis. It seems as if everybody wants to rule the world. However, Jesus unravels us with a melody. We are no longer slaves of fear because we are children of God. Jesus fixed us. We are liberated. The King is among us. He is so near to the broken. He is the Great I Am, the One who was and is to come. The team left us with the question: “Are You Ready?”
Hunter Stone shared his testimony. Although his parents were there, because of their work schedules, he spent more time with his grandparents the first six years of his life. He endured sexual molestation at a young age from a relative. His role model, his great-grandfather, died. Hunter’s family embraced more change as his father went into the ministry. Hunter experienced bullying in school that drove him to contemplate suicide. When his family moved to Pamplico, Hunter started following God. However, it seemed that bad things just kept happening. A favorite uncle died from cancer. His six year-old brother got hit and killed by a car. His brother’s death was devastating to both him and his family. Hunter cannot understand the why behind his brother’s death, but he continues to trust God and knows that He has a plan for his life.
Hunter’s testimony led into the next drama, “In God We Trust.” This drama began with the National Anthem and then shifted to key events in our country’s history: The Revolutionary War, the Statue of Liberty, 9-11, sexual molestation at high schools, abortion, the President’s decreeing that our government was no longer a religious nation, massacre at the African-American church in Charleston. The focus in the drama swayed from the bad to the good, from the devastating to the hopeful. The final scenes had a message for America. The atmosphere is changing now. The evidence is all around. Our God is arising. We cry out for God to forgive our sins and heal our land. Prayers and worshippers are crying out for revival.
Grace sang about God’s mercy. The powerful lyrics reminded us that there’s nothing too dirty that He can’t make worthy. He washes us in mercy. We are clean. We are coming alive with destiny.
“Broken” shares the story of a young girl who is kidnapped and forced into human trafficking. Finally, help comes. Although she is broken, she has been set free. God took her broken pieces and made something new of them. God’s amazing grace allows her to forgive as Jesus forgave. She discovers that on the other side of forgiveness is freedom. The question presented is a challenge to each of us: “What if I forgave?”
The last drama proclaims that all we endure on this earth is “Worth It All.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, shares her story, and we are reminded of Stephen and Saul and others who suffered for the Savior. We see Jesus as He prays, “Not My will but Thine be done.” We witness His scourging, the taunting, the crown of thorns, the nailing to the cross, the gruesome crucifixion. Finally, the message is to all those who suffered for His name. It is going to be worth it all. We share in the mystery of His Gospel. We are this generation.
Karen played the piano and sang “Jesus Is Calling” for the altar call. How appropriate because this song pinpoints themes they emphasized through song and drama.
Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling
Oh what a Savior
Isn’t he wonderful
Sing alleluia, Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia, Christ is risen
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you’ve found
Joyce Sanders’s invitation for this month’s KHM indicated, “God is stirring the lives of His sons & daughters; imparting passion and meaning in our hearts.” We witnessed the passion of a group of young people hungry for more of God and dynamically spreading His message of salvation, deliverance, freedom, and healing.
Hearts United Women's Ministry 