The KIT 'n' Kaboodle (September 2018) by Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries

The KIT ‘n’ Kaboodle

All the news that fits the sense and sensibilities of Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries

ENCOURAGING WOMEN THROUGH WORD AND SONG Most early Kingdom Impact Theater productions were solo performances with music created by Vikki J. Myers and musical director Garlan Garner in response to requests for ministry outreach to women. Those requests fed Vikki’s passion for helping women, especially teen women, grow in Christ by embracing Jesus first as the guide to many issues they deal with each day. These ideas have led to two new equipping seminars Vikki will debut at the Iron Sharpens Iron Women's Equipping Conference of Focal Point Ministries, Saturday, Sept. 22, at the River Center in Davenport, IA. Vikki is one of eight equipping seminar presenters as part of a full day of sessions designed to strengthen women in ministry. Keynote speakers are Jesseca Seneca (founder of the More of Him conference) and Shaunti Feldhahn (author of "The Kindness Challenge").

Running for God ............... 3 Meet A.C.T. & CPYD ......... 4 Resources for Action .......... 6

Vikki performs excepts of her one-woman monologue shows, including "Faith, Hope, and Love," and "Journey to Joy," interspersed with practical activities to help teaching women how to write their own stories, in order to witness to others, and to draw closer to God in times of challenge.

KIT Photo Album ............... 7 The World of KIT .............. 8 BUT WAIT...

NAME-CALLIN’: WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE! From her experience as a mom, youth leader, small group counselor and producer of educational video, Vikki is acquainted with labels that misidentify us with seriously IMproper nouns. Thus, she has crafted an uplifting process of helping teen women discover whole new identity -- the beautiful names and identity you receive when you become part of the family of God. Either seminar is available for conferences. Visit the ISI Women’s Conference for first-hand experience.

A department of Artists in Christian Testimony Intl

2-Minute Testimony .......... 2

Gospel & Social Media …….5

THE HEALING ART OF TELLING STORIES

Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

September 2018

• Ensemble Spotlight: Marissa Brown • Bloggers You Should Know • Praying for the Pastor • Upcoming KIT Events

THE PERSONAL KIT “HAVE YOU GOT TWO MINUTES?” Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries musical director Garlan Garner and his wife Tracey have a daughter who is a college senior in North Carolina. As a senior living off campus, their daughter is considered a resident of the state, and therefore eligible for a tuition break.

MEET OUR ENSEMBLE MARISSA BROWN A member of the “next generation” of Kingdom Impact Theater, Marissa serves as leader of musical worship at two Chicago-area churches while completing her studies at Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, focusing on worship leading. Sundays at 10 AM Marissa is worship leader at New Life Community Church in Villa Park. At 11 :30 AM, catch her at New Life Brookfield. She is also skilled at using social media as a gospel tool, and has appreciation for Hamiltons and "Hamilton."

KINGDOM IMPACT THEATER MINISTRIES Michael Edgar Myers Founding Director Vikki J. Myers Leader of Worship Garlan Garner Musical Director 1723 Roosa Lane Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 847-534-0523 info@kit-ministries.com www.kit-ministries.com

Because she also is on the voter registration rolls in their hometown, their daughter is also a resident of Illinois. To Garlan, this dual residency was improper. So much so, he was unable to play music fluidly and his hearing difficulties returned. The tuition difference exceeded $9000. He called the school to make restitution. This is the story he shared before a recent rehearsal. “You know what this means?” she said. “Yes,” he replied. “We can’t do this. She’s a resident here.” “You know what this means?” she said again. Yes, he reiterated, knowing he would have to provide the balance immediately for school to continue. “We can work this out,” she replied. “Thank you, but no. It’s morally wrong. We’ll trust God.” “Well,” she said, “I’m not a religious woman, but if you say so…” And Garlan replied, “Have you got two minutes?” Wherein he explained his faith in Christ, God’s provision, and adamance not to take the in-state break.

“Mr. Garner,” the woman began, “ we were going through our accounting and discovered a discrepancy…”

While following up with the school, and poring through the family records to find where the $9,000 would come from, he received a call from the school. A different financial department. “Mr. Garner, “ the woman began, “we were going through our accounting and we discovered a discrepancy. We’ve overcharged you…” When he captured his breath, Garlan explained the refund was the exact amount of the tuition gap. The woman was a Believer and celebrated God’s provision, yet astounded at Garlan’s steadfast commitment amidst the financial story. How, she wondered, was he able to keep the faith? “Have you got two minutes?” he said. Since the account has been settled, Garlan’s hearing has returned and he plays as if nothing occurred. Telling the tale he was as incredulous as if it were just happening. The miracle to him is that from this adversity, he was given two moments in which to share his faith in Christ. And you? When you’re asked why you trust The Lord? What do you say after, “Have you got two minutes?”

MARATHON M’AM As Vikki as prepares for to run in her second Chicago Marathon, she and Michael have been sharing their thoughts, observations and resources surrounding the training on KIT-n-Kaboodle blog. Here are summaries: Church Music on the Run How traditional "church music" helps her train for a marathon, especially songs like "Strong & Mighty," whose lyrics infuse Bible Scriptures. The Wonder of Stevie And It All Vikki at the end of her first Chicago Marathon, the 40th anniversary in 2017.

RUNNING FOR THE LORD & ST. JUDE Running requires physical strength, emotional fortitude and a great cause to encourage the spirit. So, I'm choosing to run this Chicago Marathon for more than myself. I'm running to help save kids' lives by fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I'm running for kids who might be too sick to run today, but who could one day be running alongside me because the money I raised helped find a cure for childhood cancer. Like many, cancer has ravaged my family. My father, grandmother, oldest sister, and three aunts have all perished from this horrible illness. This summer, our next door neighbor succumbed after a brave fight, and just after Labor Day the teen daughter of one of Michael’s former bosses was diagnosed with liver cancer and is in need of a transplant. Nothing would give me greater joy than to raise money for children and their families who are fighting cancer! Here are some uplifting things to know about what your donation can do: •

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

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Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90%, and they won't stop until no child dies from cancer.

As of this writing, I’m at 20 percent of my goal. Please contribute and help me reach the goal by October 1. — Vikki

Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" is a metaphor for marathon training and perhaps Christian faith . Vikki J. Myers ponders the connections. What’s So Good About Morning? Even the rousing "Get Up," by Mary, Mary is hard to propel Vikki out of bed and marathon train. But once she's out there, she has no Lamentations. Running With Pop Psalms Why two "pop" songs written by Stevie Wonder and McCartney & Lennon, make her think of Biblical psalms as she listens to them prepping for Chicago Marathon. CHICAGO MARATHON VIKKITHON PLAYLIST

THE COMMUNITY KIT ARTISTS IN CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY INTL Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries is a department of Artists in Christian Testimony Intl, a 501(c)(3) organization serving actors, musicians, artists, dancers, speakers who believe the arts are powerful tools in sharing the gospel of Christ.

THE PRAYER KIT For Our Ministries

• We ask for consistent salary to sustain our households.

• We ask for income to pay actors, tech and administrative aides who assist in presenting and promoting our ministry.

A.C.T. Intl is headquartered in Nashville, TN, and serves 301 ministry departments and 429 individuals artists in 32 countries. Through A.C.T. Intl, KIT Ministries receives on-going training as theater missionaries and guidance in fiscal accountability and spiritual growth. A.C.T. is open to receiving applications from individual artists and

agencies looking to network and receive similar training. Learn more about A.C.T. Intl resources and opportunities Worship, study with A.C.T. Intl @The Gathering Belmont Church, Nashville Nov. 1 -3

• We ask for wisdom, patience and unity as ministry couples and as friends, for we have all experienced how business, busyness and finances can undermine relationships. For Our Partners

• For the teens seeking identity: may our efforts enable them to see Christ as a viable option.

• For worship musicians and other artists: may they withstand human critique, recognize applicable truths, and respond with grace, whether verbal or written. For Answered Prayers

• For The LORD's economic provision through friends and our church families through our transition.

• For new presentation opportunities with groups as Iron Sharpens Iron. Request prayer, share praise

COMMUNITIES FOR POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (In addition to performing before congregations and ministry organizations, the KIT Ministries ensemble frequently lends support to agencies in the communities where we live providing a faith-perspective or practical support to managing issues of concern in the region. Here is one of our connections.) Communities for Positive Youth Development (CPYD) is a collaboration of community partners near Schaumburg, IL, who share the common goal of positive youth development, including a lifestyle that is free of alcohol, drugs and other substances. The community coalition model is an evidence-based strategy to address public health issues through coordinated efforts. The coalition is made up of individuals and organizations who are key stakeholders in positive youth development: youth, parents, schools, police, fire and first responders, civic organizations, faith-based organizations, local government, media, local health and behavioral professionals, youth-serving organizations, businesses, and other organizations in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, and Palatine. Michael represents faith-based organizations, a community which would benefit from additional voices. As a result of his participation, comes this question: How do the churches interact with schools and community agencies in your area to add a faith-based resolution to issues such as alcohol and drug use, mental health, behavioral matters among teens? Share your ideas here.

ARTIST & MINISTRY BLOG COLLECTIONS Artists in Ministry & Mission by Byron Spradlin Backstage Blog by Chuck Neighbors Be Known for Something By Mark MacDonald Inspiration with An Attitude by Dawn Liz Jones Morning Reflections by Glenn McDonald Unsplash is a royalty-free photo service we often use. Thanks to William White for this image illustrating Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries’ commitment to community.

SOCIAL MEDIA AS A GOSPEL TOOL

Pastor Norm's Blogs & Books by Norman P. Anderson

Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries believes greatly that the Internet and other elements of social media are powerful tools in sharing the gospel of Christ “to all the ends of the earth.”

Worship Wonderings

We subscribe to select blogs and social outlets that both give us artistic support and stretch us spiritually. We also participate in an eclectic number of Christian focused groups on Facebook, occasionally responding to queries for resources, ideas on managing personnel, or enjoying the light-hearted observations of ministry.

Worship Facilities Online by Michael Edgar Myers

by Michael Edgar Myers

We’re glad to recommend several blogs you may enjoy as we do (see sidebar), and want to share with you some of the Facebook groups with which we engage.

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Chicago Artists Resources

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Christian Artists Network

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Christians in Theatre Arts

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Christian Authors & Writers

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Church Social Media Managers

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Church Storytellers

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Church Tech Matters

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ColoredPeople.net

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Faith Community Church

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I Am A.C.T. International

• James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America For the full list, visit our website media page. Like our Facebook page to follow our on-going observations. Recommend other pages for collective growth.

THE LEADERSHIP KIT: MANAGING CONFLICT, DEVELOPING COLLABORATION If your church is going through transition, or you’re integrating new ideas and people into your operations, take a look at an evening, Sunday morning or all day session to help put practical skills with Biblical tenets. Consider these unique church health sessions created and facilitated by Michael Edgar Myers which he has tailored for the whole congregation or targeted ministry teams. Each focuses on team building and managing conflict by using proven theater-based improvisations, communication exercises and Bible-based followup. The Merry Heart: Humor as a Ministry Tool Practicing What Is Preached Visit The Leadership KIT on our website for details or e-mail an inquiry.

“Clear diction and enunciation are essential to let people clearly hear and understand God's message. “ — Articulating the Gospel THE PERFORMANCE KIT: ARTICULATING THE GOSPEL One of Hamlet’s lighter, decisive monologues is in his director playwright personae (doubling as Shakespeare 's alter ego). Welcoming the traveling actors who will perform the script he has written to heap guilt upon Claudius for murdering his father (the king) and marrying the queen (his mother), Hamlet gives them precise instructions on how to perform. He begins, "Speak the speech, I pray, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue." It is good advice for preaching pastors and singers of worship music. As verbal executors of the gospel, clear diction and enunciation are essential to enable people to clearly hear and understand God's message. Few things are as distracting as an impassioned preacher undermining a well-written missive by mispronouncing everyday words much less mangling biblical terms. Equally unnerving are singers who run together lyr-

ics so that the projected words are serve not as sing-a-long guides but as foreign movie subtitles. Each scenario is complicated by modern technology. Poor use of microphones by pastors or singers not only garble words, but also can be painful for the congregation. As Hamlet may say, "The mic is wherein to speak, 'tis not to be eaten." Two ways to overcome these articulation matters are careful adherence to the text, and vocal warm-up exercises. Silly they may feel or sound, practicing exaggerated articulation, tongue twisters and vocal warmups will ultimately strengthen the muscles. Stronger tongue and diaphragm muscles make it easier to add closures to words (“Oh, say ,does that Star-SpangleD,” vs. “Oh, say, does that Star-Spangle;” “The Lord Jesus Christ” vs. “The Lord Jesus cries”) and to support breathing to have enough air to finish a phrase.

SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE ARTICULATION 1.

Listen to audio playback after presenting. How do you hear yourself?

Ask trusted, objective listeners for occasional presentation feedback..

Click here to download articulation exercises for practice.

HOW WE SPENT OUR SUMMER

June, July and August were assorted discoveries through travel, varied worship experiences, meeting new people and connecting with friends. Oh, yes. We ate. A lot. We take breaking bread seriously. Pastoral and Chile Reunions

PRAYING FOR YOUR PASTOR Mike & Vik helped startle visiting Pastor Norman Anderson and his wife, Bev, at their surprise 60th wedding anniversary luncheon at Elk Grove Baptist. Pastor Norm launched KIT as an EGBC education ministry in 1994. Kept running into newly ordained Rev. Dr. David Seymour. First at Chicago’s Gospel Run; later at his new pastorate on the trail in Batavia, IL, where Vikki trains for marathons.

When Paul intoned, “All have sinned and fall enshort of God’s glory,” pastors, priests and rabbis were not excluded. As we have seen too often in recent months, the temptations of the flesh are particularly problematic for those called to lead church and other Christ-follower ministries. True, one response is to vent and lament. Some may even wish to quit following Christ, or use human failings as a reason to not listen to Christian messages.

Cami, home from college, had breakfast with youth advisers Bob and Debbie Long, home on furlough from their Philippines mission field. They let Mike tag.

A better response is to remember not only Paul’s admonition but also the words of Peter who warns us to be alert for the Devil’s attacks. Author Fredrick Ezeji-Okoye addresses the latter in his book, “Who Prays for the Pastor?” which is now Michael’s latest audiobook. In addition to reading the entire book, Michael has created five segments as Soundcloud Devotionals. Listen to the devotionals free, then visit Amazon to purchase the paperback or the audiobook.

Glorious Salute Pastor Ennis Tait of Cincinnati brought a dramatic re-enactment of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet while recognizing Pastor Mike Neal’s 10th anniversary at Chicago’s Glorious Light Church, a fete that included GLC Praise Dancers.

They’ll Be Bach! Carla Brown (Chos3n) returned to OasisLA’s annual She Rises weekend with four of her five daughters plus Cousniecester Cami Myers in June. Already planning for 2019.

Whether you listen or purchase, remember this the next time you have an issue with leadership: Pray for your pastor.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BACK PAGE STORY HEADLINE

SEPTEMBER

22 Name-Callin’ (Workshop, Vikki )

Iron Sharpens Iron Women’s Conference Davenport, IA 10 AM

The Healing Arts of Telling Stories (Workshop, Vikki )

Iron Sharpens Iron Women’s Conference Davenport, IA 2 PM

OCTOBER

13 Unshackled (Live Radio Drama, Michael)

Pacific Garden Mission 1458 South Canal Street Chicago, IL 60607 Building Tour, 3 PM Live Radio Taping, 4:30 PM

NOVEMBER

18 Sunday Morning Live (Drama Worship)

Connection Church Libertyville, IL 9:30 AM

DECEMBER

23 It’s Christmas Dear (Drama Worship)

Connection Church Libertyville 9:30 AM

ABOUT KINGDOM IMPACT THEATER MINISTRIES Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries is an ensemble of theater missionaries who use performing arts to entertain, engage and educate for community outreach and leadership trainBooking Now for 2019 ing. “Freedom Song” KIT Ministries is based in Elk Grove (African-American History) Village, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago. KIT was founded by Mi“The Roscoe P. Love Love Clinic” (Valentine’s Day) chael Edgar Myers and Vikki J. Myers, professional actors in the ChiInquire about dates cago theater community, as an edu847-534-0523 cational tool and a bridge between church ministries and industry professionals who are Christ-followers. Our concentration is small and mid-sized churches, however, we serve churches and Christian-focused agencies where requested. KIT Ministries is supported by tax-deductible donations as a department of Artists in Christian Testimony Intl, a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit organization since 1973. Please consider a one-time or on-going contribution to enable Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries to present the gospel without finances becoming a stumbling block. Donating Options.