By Mark H. Hunter, Regional Reporter
[img_assist|nid=8008|title=The Greatest Story Ever Told|desc=Chad Hebert depicting Jesus and John MacDougal depicting Anthony recreate that fateful day when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]MORGAN CITY – Bayou Vista Baptist Church members are praying for a harvest of souls when they present, “Bow the Knee,” an Easter-themed production that last year drew a thousand people and more than 20 reported decisions for salvation.
The dramatic musical portraying the death and resurrection of Jesus, will be presented at the Bayou Vista Civic Center on Friday, March 30, at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 31, at 7 p.m. and a 3 p.m. matinee on Palm Sunday, April 1. It is free but an offering will be accepted.
“Presenting it in a separate place besides the church gives us an opportunity to reach the community – beyond these walls – and that’s the whole point,” said Robert “Bobby” Powell, the church’s music and education minister. “Another point is that it involves a lot of people in our church and gives them an opportunity for ministry, like building props, sewing costumes and painting the sets.”
“Bow the Knee,” created by Chris Machen and distributed by Lillenas Publishing, is the entire Easter story in drama and 10 songs. As Jesus heals the deaf, restores sight to the blind and brings a dead girl back to life, a hardened Roman Centurion finally believes in Him after Jesus restores his own deathly-ill servant to health.
“One of the things we really like about this production, “Bow the Knee,” is that it is a message we need to hear today in the church more than ever before,” Powell said prior to a recent Sunday afternoon rehearsal in the church’s gym. “If we can get people to recognize the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ, and bow their knee, then I promise you God is going to do a mighty work.”
Bayou Vista Baptist is the main presenter. They have been joined by 10 members from First Baptist of Morgan City and several members of Calumet Baptist, including their pastor, Chad Hebert, who portrays Jesus.
This is the second year Bayou Vista Morgan City has produced “Bow the Knee,” Powell said. Repeating it allows the 60 cast and crew members to do different things from last year while already knowing how it all works, he added.
The church’s men built an elaborate set of moveable props including row houses roofed with freshly cut palmetto leaves, a tomb with a rolling stone door, and a Temple scene framed by white columns.
“We’ve been doing musicals like this since I came here in 1995,” Powell said. “We have done about five productions like this.” Powell also oversees an ambitious church music program that includes annual Christmas productions as well as children’s groups.
“We’ve been blessed with a lot of talent as far as singing and drama and making props,” Powell said. “We’ve seen God do a mighty work.”
About 250 people each week participate in Sunday morning worship at Bayou Vista Morgan City.
Senior pastor, Steve Kelly said the church has a local reputation for its musical productions.
“I see [our musical events] as a vital tool for evangelism,” the pastor said.
Prior to last year’s Christmas presentation, church members knocked on doors, gave away 200 Bibles and invited their neighbors to services. They plan a similar outreach this year prior to “Bow the Knee” with invitations and Bibles marked where the Easter story is located.
“It’s like most evangelism you do in a community setting; you are planting seeds,” Kelly said. “It’s been good for our church. I don’t know of any church between Houma and New Iberia that does this. It does get a lot of members involved. It is a good group effort.”
The pastor continued: “What I want is for people to say, ‘you know, there is something going on at that church, that’s a church that’s taken the time and the effort to share the gospel.’”
John MacDougall, who is a firefighter in real life, plays Anthony, the Roman centurion. As much of an impact the musical has on the community, MacDougall said, it also has a powerful impact on him personally. “I never dreamed that God would work in my life the way He did,” MacDougall said. Like singing in public – “I never thought I’d do that!”
For Pastor Chad Hebert, portraying Jesus is a humbling experience, he said, and sometimes his emotions well up even during practice.
“I was a former beer salesman and have done some things in my life I’m not so proud of,” Hebert said in a soft voice. “Knowing how much grace God has had in my own life to forgive me for what I’ve done – to be able to be on that cross is very humbling because I should have been up there to begin with.”
Production Director Jacki Ackel said participants are praying for spiritual results.
“This drama is a tremendous way for our church to witness to the community in a way people will rem