Where Christ Matters

by Michael Edgar Myers

Artistic Director, Kingdom Impact Theater

As events of 2020 unfolded, darkly in the eyes of many people we’ve encountered, we at Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries, have made two provocative discoveries:

1. More folks are open to listening to who Jesus is than assumed;

2. Christ-following churches must be bolder demonstrating Christ as the resolution to societal ills.

Hardly a day passes when our ensemble members are not drawn into talks about racial disunity, or are asked to give faith perspectives to non-church goers on matters they don’t believe are addressed in worship gatherings, matters as sexuality, education, public policies and mental health.

Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries doesn’t take an official position endorsing any particular public issue, except to say seek first His kingdom, and all these things will be resolved through Him (Matthew 6:32-34). Yet, from these encounters we are more aware of our call to more visibly clarify why Christ is the solution people seek. As theater missionaries, our question is “How?”

Our D.C. trip encountered citizens at the White House to voice concerns and seek solutions. Many also seek Christ.

To do so:

We need digital versions of our ministry shows and training to make them more accessible to park districts, community forums and people at home.

We’re committed to help local churches fine-tune their online presentations and network outside the building.

We need time, space to create material to stimulate conversation how Christ matters daily.

We have explored costs of these outreaches on specific platforms. We pray and seek support to use them.

Monumental Faith

In a summer where statues and monuments were toppled or defaced as the purpose for their existence was questioned, we found great solace and learning in coming across artwork that not only taught us, but fed our script development.

One such discovery was "Les Chassuers Volontaire de Sant Domingo," part of a six-character monument commemorating the largest contingent of soldiers of African descent who fought in the American Revolution.

A central model in the monument is the drummer. The drummer represents Henri Christophe, who later became a leader in the struggle for Haiti’s independence. The drummer brought to mind the role of musicians in battle in the Old Testament, and launched ideas for inclusion in “Freedom Song,” one of four scripts we are revising to foster conversation about the role of Scriptures in African-American culture, and subsequently church and race relations.

This monument of freed Haitians is in Savannah, GA. It's across the street from First African Baptist Church, the oldest African-American church in the nation. We went to tour the church, but it was closed because of the pandemic. The BUILDING was closed. The church continued, indicative of the sign above.