Sunday, April 4, 2010

Stones: 2010 Easter Production

Once again the Crossroads team has pulled off another highly successful Easter Production. This year the presentation was called "Stones." It was the most unusual telling of the resurrection story the presentation team (under the direction of Richard Gaspard) and I have ever come up with, but I'm very proud of how it turned out. The story takes place on a caving expedition experienced by six vacationers and their guide on the week leading up to Easter. Once inside the cave (that few know exist) the party is trapped by an avalanche that leaves their exit sealed off by a huge stone. Tension runs high as the group attempts to survive for three days in the cave. One by one, their personal struggles are revealed and we discover that the boulder blocking their exit isn't the only 'stone' in their lives. Each of the characters have things standing between them and God's best for them. All our actors did an incredible job bringing the script (brilliantly written by Daphne Gaspard) to life. As each character's struggle was revealed, the music team followed with a song that addressed those issues. (Example - A father and son's struggle to reunite after years apart was followed by a cover of John Mayer's "Say.") Our music team (led by Coy Watson) is so incredibly talented!

The set, designed and built by Crossroads' Property Manager Rhett Wyatt and his team was the biggest and most elaborate we've ever attempted and it looked phenomenal! The stage was transformed into a mammoth cave complete with multiple levels, various sized stones and stalagmites. I kept thinking, "If I were a little kid I could play on this set for hours!" Finally I grabbed an Indiana Jones torch and did just that!

Everyone in attendance was given a stone when they entered the auditorium. I reminded them that the stone that sealed the tomb where Jesus' body lay represented a lot of things to the disciples: Things like disbelief, disappointment, disillusionment. But God rolled that stone away, bringing forth the resurrected Jesus as a redeemer for all mankind. I told them the stone we had given them represents the things standing between them and God's best for their lives. I asked them to write what that is on their stones (fear, anger, addictions) and bring it to the altar. They did - by the HUNDREDS! It was a powerful moment. We plan to use those stones in our landscaping and let them serve as memorial stones. I believe in the years to come, people will see those stones they wrote on this weekend and be reminded how God, on Easter weekend 2010 rolled away the stone in their life that stood between them and His will!

We had five performances this weekend (We should have done six) and had over 4,000 in attendance with nearly 100 decisions for Christ! Thanks to everyone who had a hand in presenting this life-changing production! I plan to post the video soon.

17 comments:

  1. A contemporary presentatrion with an incredible altar call response.

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  2. All i can say is GOD is good to have such talent at church I too am proud to call CROSSROADS my church

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  3. THANKS PASTOR FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL PRODUCTION.

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  4. Thanks for touching so many lives with the Easter Production. What an awesome job. I'm so glad I'm a member of Crossroads.

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  5. Thanks to everyone at Crossroads Church for the hard work you guys did to make the Easter Production such a blessing!!

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  6. The presentation was like watching my life being played out. I have lost 2 family members to cancer. I have nephews and nieces struggling with drug addiction. My ex husband and I never could get passed the infedelity in our marriage. And last but not least, my parents were divorced and I always felt disconnected with my father. I didn't have God in my life like I do now. I was saved over a year ago. My life might have turned out so much different if I had Jesus in my life sooner. But due to the production, I feel so blessed because it gives me hope for the future. I'm no longer working for retirement, I'm working to make it to heaven and see God and Jesus. Great job and well presented.

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  7. Jesus Rolled Our Stones Away! What A Great Easter Production Crossroads! Amazing to see so many people there! Thank you Lord! What a GREAT day with my husband and our Family! Cracker barrell what a great Meal! And Oh My!! I know it will be A GREAT Week! God is Good!

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  8. It was a GREAT PRODUCTION.....everyone did an AWESOME JOB.......

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  9. Hats off to all, GREAT JOB.... The Lord is VERY pleased... Well done my good and faithful

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  10. Awsome set, 3 performances on Sat and 3 on Sun?

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  11. Great production!!! Glad to call Crossroads my church

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  12. Thanks Paster for the Pasion you have for souls
    It's awesome to be a part of mycrossroads.org

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  13. Was one of the Most Spiritually Professional Productions I have seen in a long time! The Spirit of The Lord moved everyone in the Sancutary through this awesome production and ministering Spirit! Well Done Good and Faithful Servants! Jesus rolled our Stones Away! The Altar Call was so moving! Thank You Lord!

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  14. Oh it was a great service and my rock is up there and i was feeling a lot of emotions because of a situation, so my rock was full . I PRAY FOR ALL AND PRAY JESUS TAKES AWAY THE WORRY, ANGER, ANY NEGATIVE EMOTIONS THAT SOME HAVE AND PRAY FOR HEALING FOR ALL FAMILIES. MARRIAGES, ESPECIALLY, AND WORK PLACES. RESTORE, RENEW REBUILD IN JESUS NAME AND EVEN IF WE DO NOT FEEL IT RIGHT AWAY BY FAITH IT IS DONE

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