Faith Baptist Church has produced the Lafayette Passion Play for the Lafayette community since 1991. The play is a dramatic presentation that depicts and discusses the final events of Christ’s life and ministry. Why do we do this event?
1. It’s a Great Opportunity
For many in our culture, Easter is nothing more than a time to hunt for plastic eggs and consume chocolate bunnies. However, for Christians, Easter is a special time to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.
This season also presents us with unique opportunities to share our faith in Christ. At this time of year, sharing the gospel can be a very natural extension of the season. For more than two decades, our church family has chosen to corporately communicate this message to our community through the presentation of The Lafayette Passion Play.
2. It Reaches Thousands
The Passion Play has proven to be a very effective method of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Over the years, its presentation has been a clear and visible demonstration of our love for the Lafayette community.
Since 2000, over thirty-three thousand people have attended the Passion Play. And following last year’s presentation alone, nineteen individuals trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, eleven requested more information on becoming a Christian, and sixty-seven others asked for help in growing spiritually.
The response to this ministry has been overwhelming. But our motivation for this year’s outreach doesn’t end with the positive results we’ve seen in the past.
3. It Fulfills Our Calling
The Passion Play helps our church fulfill the great commission. Scripture commands us to “make disciples of all the nations,” and the first step in disciple-making involves sharing the message.
Romans 10:13-14
“Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
God has given us the awesome responsibility of speaking the truth about Christ to others, and we want every individual in our community to know that eternal life is theirs for the asking if they will only respond in faith to the message.
4. It Confronts Lies and Tears Down Obstacles
According to the Barna Research Group, 85% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. 51% believe that if a person is generally good, they will earn a place in Heaven. And only 39% believe that people who do not consciously accept Jesus Christ as their Savior will be condemned to hell.
There are a great number of people in our community who hold these beliefs. Many wrongly assume that they are Christians who will one day be in heaven when, in fact, quite the opposite may be true.
The Passion Play allows us to confront many of the faulty notions people hold about God and the life to come. Throughout the presentation, we address many of the objections and obstacles that commonly prevent people from exercising faith in Christ. Many who attend may confront the reality that they are not Christians for the first time. Because the Passion Play is a dramatic presentation, it provides us the unique opportunity to reach people who might not otherwise attend an event conducted by a Bible-teaching church.
Doing Your Part
The Passion Play also creates opportunities for believers to grow in Christ’s likeness through service to His church. Every person attending our church is encouraged to get involved. There are service opportunities in the nursery, the cast, and the choir. You can help in hanging lights, moving sets, working on props, greeting visitors, and more.
You can also serve by praying for the production and inviting others to attend. In the coming weeks, we will be making invitation cards available to our church family. We would encourage you to pick up a handful of these and begin putting them in the hands of the people God has placed around you. Ask some friends to have dinner with you before the presentation. Take your neighbors out for dessert afterwards. Who knows? This may be just the tool He uses to draw them to Himself.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see you good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Your service this year can be a testimony of God’s goodness to believers and unbelievers alike. We strongly urge you to “let your light shine” through your involvement in this outreach. Our hope is that many will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior through this ministry.
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The 2011 Lafayette Passion Play takes place April 21-23. All presentations take place in downtown at The Long Center for the Performing Arts, located at 111 N. 6th Street, Lafayette, Indiana. Admission is free, but tickets are required to reserve seating. Reserve yours today.
