PASSION PLAY IN THE SMOKIES

Passion Play 2008

Events Schedule

Though not included in the schedule below, please note that Mourning Glory Ministries will be offering a
FREE Messianic Dance Workshop
On the afternoon of June 7, between 2:00-5:30 pm
just prior to the, "Pursue His Purpose," Praise and Worship Event that evening.
This will be an introductory workshop, and everyone is invited to attend! 
 
 

     During the Spring of 2006, I was introduced to Mark Pedro, the director of the Passion Play in the Smokies, and was honored to be asked to play several parts, including that of John the Baptist, Judas, and one of the thieves on the cross. I'd never done any acting before, but it really seemed that for some reason, the Lord wanted me to stretch myself and accept Mark's invitation.  Of the three roles I was asked to play, by far, my favorite was John the Baptist! I guess this is because I've always related to John. Though I've certainly at times taken things to inappropriate extremes, John and I share a similar mandate from God, which is to call people to repent of their sin and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. Another way in which I relate to John, is that John, when he was persecuted for his faith, seriously questioned Jesus  saying, "Are you the one who was to come, or should  we be looking for someone else,"(Luke 7:20). I too, in times of great persecution and stress, have done the same thing! In fact, I've just finished uploading a page where I share a personal testimony of one such struggle, where I told God, "Unless I see you face to face, I just can't believe anymore!" The short version of this story, is that the next day, the Lord revealed a blood red image of Jesus on the cross, which I found inside a tree that had been struck by lightning, and had been cut down the evening following my above statement!! To read the full testimony and view this tangible miracle, click here! 

 

    Next on my list of favorite rolls was that of the thief on the cross. Though at most I was on the cross for no more then 10-15 minutes each evening, this was enough to get a very small, but realistic taste of what it must have been like for our savior on that Passover so long ago. Of course, the weight of all the sins of mankind was not on my shoulders, and I didn't have actual nails in my hands and feet, and I hadn't been horribly beaten before taking my position on the cross, yet it's amazing how quickly a carpenter's arms can get tired and sore in that position! I'm so glad I was the theif who stood up for Jesus rather then the one who didn't repent and recognize who it was that was hanging beside him! It was such a blessing to be able to so openly and publicly proclaim my faith to those in attendance each evening.
 
    Finally, the most difficult role for me was that of Judas,  yet even doing this role I found to be a tremendous blessing as well. Some of you may be asking at this point, "Why?" Well, the answer is that it gave me an opportunity to see what may very well have been motivating Judas to do what he did. In the beginning, like the other 11 Apostles, Judas was an eager Disciple of Jesus, who had many questions running through his mind. He'd seen countless miracles, and knew God was among them, yet somehow, something happened that caused Judas to go off the deep end. Was it just greed for the thirty pieces of silver that Judas betrayed Jesus? Well, I'm not certain we will know for sure until that day when we meet Jesus face to face, but just maybe, Judas had some more pressing motivation? Even now, I'm finding it hard to wrap my mind around this, but is  it possible that Judas felt that it was his responsibility to bring Jesus to a point where He would be forced into establishing the Kingdom of God on earth?

Below are some photos from the 2006 Passion Play season

 

Jesus Heals The Blind Man

 

 

Jesus With The Children 

 

After Supper, He Took The Cup and said...

"This Is The New Covenant In My Blood..."

 
 
 

 

 Jesus Manhandled 

 

Pilate Washes His Hands Of The, "Blood Of This Just Man." 

 

This site will be under construction for some time. The delay in it's completion is because I hope to upload a few video clips from last year, and it will take some time to research how to do this, as well as to edit the clips. In the mean time, please click on the link below, which will take you to the Passion Play's main web site, where you will see photos from numerous seasons, taken at different venues where the Passion Play has been performed over the years. Please check back here from time to time to see how this site is progressing! Also, if you sense the Lord prompting you to be involved in the Passion Play for the 2007  season, we are starting to gear up for that, so please be sure to contact Mark via the information provided on the main Passion Play site linked below.