A seven-performance Louisiana Baptist showcase of “Experiencing God
… the Musical” is set to begin this week.
The first presentation of the new musical in the statewide
tour is set for October 12 at First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. The performance
is free and set to begin at 7 p.m.
A seven-performance Louisiana Baptist showcase of “Experiencing God
… the Musical” is set to begin this week.
The first presentation of the new musical in the statewide
tour is set for October 12 at First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. The performance
is free and set to begin at 7 p.m.
The musical is to be presented by a 250-voice choir that
includes the Louisiana Baptist Singing Women, Singing Ministers and a 100-voice
childrens choir.
Written by Claire Cloninger and Gary Rhodes, the 70-minute
musical work features narration, original songs, along with some classic hymns,
praise choruses and contemporary Christian songs made popular by current artists.
The presentation also includes sound effects, special lighting
and drama segments.
The musical is based on the popular discipleship study “Experiencing
God,” by Henry Blackaby. In its 10-year history, “Experiencing God”
has been translated into more than 45 languages, and the workbook has sold
more than 3.4 million copies worldwide, crossing denominational boundaries.
Blackaby said he is pleased with how the musical maintains
the message of his work. “I was very pleased when I heard the soundtrack,”
he said. “The lyrics and music matched the message, so the message isnt
changed.”
Mark Blankenship said he hopes the musical not only will
lead to a revival of the workbook but also usher in revival in churches. Blankenship
is director of music ministries for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern
Baptist Convention, publisher of “Experiencing God” materials.
“I see the musical used not only as a worship tool,
encountering God and causing revival, but also as a catalyst to inspire churches
to study the book,” he said. “We really feel this is anointed, and
God has got his hand on it.”
Gary Rhodes agreed. “It is our hope that God would use
this musical to bring people into his presence (and) that each person would
know that they are face-to-face with the living God,” said Rhodes, co-creator
of the musical.
In addition to the October 12 presentation, six other performances
are set for Louisiana one a month through next spring. All are scheduled
to begin at 7 p.m. and are free.
Performances are scheduled for:
November 9 at Louisiana College in Pineville.
January 18 at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston.
February 15 at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport.
March 13 at First Baptist Church of Covington.
April 26 at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles.
May 17 at First Baptist Church of West Monroe.
(For details on the musical or scheduled performances, call
state convention offices at 800-622-6549 or 318-448-3402)