REJOICE, FOR HE IS RISEN: CHURCHES CELEBRATE GIFT, PROMISE OF EASTER WITH PAGEANTRY

Marsha Craft knows that all salvation requires is a child's simple belief and trust. So she wrote a play that explains Jesus Christ's gift of salvation through the eyes of a child.

"The Gift" is the fourth script Craft has written for the Easter pageant at First Baptist Church in Jackson.

She tries to write each story from the perspective of a different person. She's written pageant stories told by narrators, shepherds, disciples and other biblical characters. But this year, the story is told from the eyes of a young girl named Maggie.

"Children touch all of us in a special way unique to see through their eyes and the questions they ask," Craft said, and although the message of Easter is a simple one, it is often a difficult one for people to comprehend. Telling the story in a dramatic way helps everyone understand the meaning of salvation.

"Without Easter there is no message," said Gary Belcher, music minister at Lynwood Baptist Church. Belcher coordinates the church's Easter production titled "The Promise."

"Easter is our message that Christ's death on the cross for our sins was proof that it counted for us," Belcher said. "That is our hope when we receive Christ -- death does not end it. It is only the beginning of our move to everlasting life."

Lynwood members Stephanie and Dan Odle developed a script for "The Promise" by compiling bits and pieces of other productions with their own material. Nearly 50 people are involved in the production, which is in its third year at the church.

Writing a script that tells the story of Christ's life isn't an easy task. Craft begins writing nearly a year before the pageant is scheduled.

There are certain criteria that each script must meet, she said.

For example, the material must be written on a fifth-grade comprehension level and all the words of Christ must be biblically based.

"That's not always easy," she said, "but I try to always start at the beginning for someone who doesn't know the story."

The Odles spent many late nights writing and rewriting their script.

"After a lot of late nights working on it, we asked ourselves why were we doing this," Dan Odle said. "The answer was always for people to see this and for their lives to be changed."

Stephanie agreed, saying: "I wanted to see the end product which would lead people to the Lord."

Stephanie directs the pageant and performed with the choir in last year's performance. Dan portrays Christ in the production.

About 50 percent of the material included in the Jackson pageant, whether dialogue or music, comes from past scripts, Craft said. The Jackson congregation has been producing the pageant for 12 years.

"It's a mission and outreach to the community," said Wendy Hayes, director. "It's our chance to witness to the unsaved. I think every person involved would say it brings just as much blessing to us as it does to those we are trying to reach."

Nearly 300 church members are involved in the pageant's production from sound and set design to parking attendants and animal caretakers.

Bruce Fee likely has the most difficult role in the production. He plays the role of Christ.

"It's a very intimidating role," he said. "You could say I'm in constant communication with God about playing this role."

Fee has performed in various pageant roles for 10 years. Although the production has become more elaborate, Fee said, "The message is still the same. We just dress it up a little better each time."

The Jackson pageant will be performed at 7 each night April 1 through April 5 at the church. There will be a 3 p.m. matinee on April 5. Lynwood's musical will be performed Easter Sunday at 7 p.m. at the A.C. Brase Arena building.