Good News - October 2019

24 OCTOBER 2019 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition COVER STORY A South Florida mainstay, the Emmy-Award-Winning Fort Laud- erdale Christmas Pageant returns for its 36th season this year, focusing on “The Thrill of Hope.” And what’s more thrilling than the circus? “It’s Barnum the Musical meets the revival of Pippin and The Greatest Showman,” announced Service Programming Director at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale David Gross. Promising to bring plenty of nostal- gia, Gross explained, “We’re lacing circus elements within recognizable Christmas music.” Every number from the choir concert was inspired by Romans 15:13. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe…” (CSB). This verse becomes the bedrock for the theme. In development since the first of the year, Gross said auditions began in August with rehearsals for the solo performances and dance scenes imme- diately following. The full cast of about 300 people from small children to adults will begin rehearsing at the end of this month, including a formal choir and orchestra. In his excitement, Gross occasionally broke into song as he described the scenes set to musical genres ranging fromMotown to a waltz with a num- ber of surprises in between. “Act I will be really colorful, just a lot of fun – a little bit of smiles – with a brand new finale.” In Act II, “we’re going to take you all the way from Mary and Joseph to the birth, his ministry, the miracles all the way to death burial and resurrec- tion,” added Gross. Aimed at keeping the message of Christ in Christmas, Gross said, “We exist as storytellers to bring the gospel message to life. We don’t want the audience to leave unchanged.” Presented by First Baptist Fort Lauderdale, perhaps the most astounding aspect of a theatrical production this size is that everyone involved The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant on stage, behind the scenes and front of house, is a member of the church. “Whether it’s the person opening the door for you or what you are experiencing in the auditorium, we want you to see Jesus,” said Gross. “It’s just a work of the Holy Spirit… every time somebody leaves, God just continues to bring people. He has uniquely gifted our cast and crew to carry this ministry out.” With a background in musical theater in London, Gross performed in shows like Miss Saigon and Phantom of the Opera before circumstances brought him to South Florida. He and has his wife, Kelly, met will performing on cruise ships. Lori Chirafisi was on the road singing in California when her parents en- couraged her to see the show. “I was just blown away. I couldn’t believe it!” she said. Then she realized she went to high school at Dillard Performing Arts School with the Creative Director at the time, Jeff Crevier. Incredibly im- pacted by the life of Jesus in Act II, Chirafisi said it changed her life and her entire family. “My father would not be in heaven right now if it wasn’t for this show.” Over the course of its history, more than 1.2 million have seen The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant. DeannaWielhouwer has faithfully managed ticket sales for years, coordinating with tour groups travelling from all over Florida and a few southeastern states. What’s New This Year Stepping into the role of Lead Pastor at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale in March 2019, Pastor James R. Welch is perhaps the newest addition to The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant and will be adding his own special touch. After almost three years without a Lead Pastor, the search committee unanimously recommended Welch to suc- ceed retired Pastor Larry Thompson. In ac- cepting the call, Welch said, “We are humbled by this assignment from our Heav- enly Father and eager to share with you not only the gospel but our lives as well.” Coming to Fort Lauderdale from New Orleans, Louisiana, where they planted Har- bor Community Church in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Pastor James was able to experience The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant with his wife Amy and their three teenage children, Addison, William and Blythe, during a THE FORT LAUDERDALE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT THRILLS AUDIENCESWITH A MESSAGE OF HOPE Shelly Pond Editor Pastor James R. Welch Photo credit: Abel Aluart Photo credit:AbelAluart Photo credit: Torrey Roberts