Faith Baptist presents realistic Easter story

Pastor Donald Yancey said a special effort has been made to make the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as real as possible in the Faith Baptist Church production of “He’s Alive.”

“We don’t hold anything back,” he said. “It is brutal. I feel like we have done a great job going as far as we can go. We have to make it real so people understand what happened.”

Yancey said that while the show is entertaining, someone with a weak stomach might not be able to handle the blood so the LaGrange, Ga., church recommends anyone under 12 be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Paul Hutchins, director of the show, agreed with Yancey and mentioned whippings so real some in the audience might flinch.

The show is March 18, 19, 20, 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. at the church on Hammett Road.

Faith has produced “Judgment Journey” since 1997.

The show features graphic scenes that represent events from the end of the world as described in the Bible.

It draws audience members from the South and Yancey said about 17,500 attended the show this past October.

Yancey said the Easter show draws from a wide region, but not as many states.

While this show has no people in a lake of fire or tanks blasting as does “Judgment Journey,” the $40,000 production features plenty of special effects.

Much is done with strobe lights and sound.

“As with ‘Judgment Journey,’ the show has progressed through the years because of new technology,” said Hutchins, who serves as children’s director at the church.

Hutchins remarked that 36 individual microphones are used and each performance calls for 650 pounds of dry ice to create fog.

But he said the key to the show is the work of the performers who have been rehearsing for three months.

“There is incredible talent,” Hutchins said. “Our actors bring real passion to their roles.”

All of the music is live.

The church averages about 600 congregants at Sunday services. More than 300 people are connected with the approximately two-hour play.

“Many cast members are needed,” Hutchins said. “We have riot crowds. We have merchants. We have soldiers.”

Matthew Bishop plays Jesus and for the eighth time, Michael Jones is Peter the Apostle.

The play was first done at Faith in 1991 but was skipped for three years.

This is the third production since the restart.

“We always make changes in the show,” Hutchins said. “There is no suspense in a rerun and there is so much material in the life of Jesus Christ to use.”

While “Judgment Journey” is conducted on a wooded trail behind the church, “He’s Alive” is done on a 110 feet wide stage with all of the sets constructed by church members. The sanctuary seats about 970.

At “Judgment Journey,” there is a room where people, who are saved as a result of the show, fill out salvation cards. Yancey said about 4,500 were signed in October.

Yancey said at “He’s Alive,” there will be an altar call for those who have been saved and they will be given a “Seven Steps to Joy” booklet.

While not an interactive show, cast members will be in the aisles during the performance.

On the last two evenings, recording artist, The Talleys will perform. The trio will also be at the church’s Easter service.

Tickets are $10 if purchased online and $12 at the gate. March 18 will be Military Appreciation Night and tickets will be $5 at the gate for active military, veterans and their family members.

For tickets, visit hesalivetickets.com. For information, call 706-884-3100.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Faith Baptist presents realistic Easter story."