OUR FIRST HOME OF OUR OWN #6

(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, January, 1987.  Bracketed information has been added.)

I returned from the Christian Drama Conference in Houston with many convictions, two of which I’ll relate: 1) That I, not someone else, must provide spiritual leadership and not just artistic and business leadership. 2) That we needed a new home, a place where we could have our own identity. (We had been in the basement of Springfield Family Restaurant. Then we were inside ShowBiz Pizza.) We prayed that God would show us when and where. The answer to when came within the next two weeks—just as we began rehearsals for the first show of our third season. ShowBiz Pizza informed us that they were closing. Wow! A few weeks earlier and that news would have been the final blow of defeat, but now we welcomed the news as God’s answer to our prayer of when. The answer to where also came within a few weeks when God led Pat to a little corner building at 200 E. Commercial. The building, though small, seemed just right for our present needs, and it was affordable. We signed a one-year lease with an option for two additional years.

Time was short. We had just over a month to be out of ShowBiz. Even before the actual lease agreement could be prepared, we began the monumental task of turning a shell of a building into a theatre in four weeks. Besides this, we were keeping the first show of the season going at ShowBiz while beginning rehearsals for the second show which had to be ready for the opening of this new theatre. Needless to say, those who were involved with Stained Glass Theatre didn’t sleep much that month. The work load was tremendous, but spirits were high. We could almost daily see God’s mighty hand at work.

As we began to face the reality of the cost involved in turning a long-empty building into a theatre with lobby, ticket booth, office space, light and sound booth, auditorium, stage, and dressing rooms, we began to walk in faith. This time, instead of borrowing $2,000 to meet moving expenses, we prayed and trusted God to meet our needs. It was indeed at this time that our wonderful God moved in such a miraculous way that even now, over a year and a half later, tears of joy, amazement, and gratitude fill my eyes as I write this, for God answered our prayers and provided for our needs in a way we could not have imagined. We had to get started on constructing the theatre immediately. This meant lumber, nails, paint, wall board, etc.; and that meant great cost. We didn’t have the money or the time to raise the money, so how could we do it? God knew. It was at this financially crucial time that God reached down and touched the heart of a Christian roofing contractor who came to us and said, “Order whatever you need, and put it on my account.” We couldn’t believe it. Can you imagine how incredible and beautiful those words were to us, “whatever you need”? It was truly a miracle. Not only had God used this wonderful man to meet some of our construction needs, but all of them. Thank you, God! And we sincerely thank the man that God used to bless us. That which I’ve related is enough of a miracle, but that’s not all, for the miracle goes on. You see, God has continued to use this same contractor to provide material for every show we have staged since that time plus some for new renovations on the stage and auditorium areas that are presently in progress. Praise God! And thank you, Mr. H----! [Thank You, Father! Praise Your Holy Name! Jehovah!]

COMING NEXT: A GIDEON MIRACLE                                 

An incredible incident that blessed and strengthened the faith of many.

 

DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN #5

(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, November, 1986.  Bracketed information has been added.)



Pat Edmonds and Terry Beasley

Everyone has heard it said, “It is always darkest just before the dawn.”  At Stained Glass Theatre, that period of complete darkness came as we finished our second season.  We had hoped that with Terry Beasley on our staff, we could turn things around.  Terry, our new warrior, hit the ground running and must have scared Satan, for he began to heat up the battle.  Satan’s big “new weapon” (to us anyway) was serious internal dissension:  hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and bitterness.  It was powerful and it took us completely by surprise; we did not even know how to deal with it. For a few horrifying days, it seemed as if Satan had defeated us.  Then, as before, God stepped in and worked a miracle.  He brought healing and opened our hearts to fill them with understanding and forgiveness.  Only then could we see the real enemy:  Satan.  Through God’s grace and love, we survived a nearly fatal blow, and we were unified with the resolution that if we ever folded, we would at least go down together.

We completed the second season in July.  By this time, we were over $1800 in debt, in addition to a $2000 bank loan.  We were far behind on salaries, and Pat decided he must work outside the Theatre.  (The foolish boy thought he and his new wife needed to eat.)  Facing two months of down time between seasons, with rent, utilities, and loans to be paid, salaries to be met, and no income except about $175 in monthly pledges and a few travel company bookings, it looked as if we had come to the end.  All around was darkness.  We couldn’t even see the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.”  We were weighted down with despair and defeat.

On an afternoon in July, Pat, Terry and I met in my back yard to decide the fate of Stained Glass Theatre.  The time had come to either make plans for the third season or give up and quit.  Honestly, giving up seemed like the best option.  It didn’t seem logical to keep going against such odds.  Yet deep within me, something—God, I’m sure—kept saying, “Hold on!  Hold on!”  After hours of discussing, we finally voted to go for the third season.  Out of desperation, we decided to increase the number of plays per season from three to seven, feeling that this might be the key to turn everything around.  We knew that it would either work, or it would kill us.

After our backyard planning meeting, I was hanging on physically, but spiritually and emotionally I was defeated.  My mouth said “yes” to a third season, but my heart said “no.”  I felt all was lost, and I kept asking, “Why go on if no one cares or attends?”  Even some of my best friends had never seen a show at SGT, which led me to believe that even they didn’t care.  Yes, I was having a real “pity party.”  I was weary, defeated, and hurt.  It was during this time of personal struggle that God began to move in the spiritual side of my life.  Looking back, I know God was preparing to break me spiritually.  And that would dramatically change both my life and the direction of the theatre.

Two weeks later, with negative feelings still in my head, I went to Houston, Texas, to participate in a national Christian theatre conference sponsored by the After Dinner Players.  It was there that God worked another miracle in SGT’s history.  The Lord brought me to my knees, shook me up, and filled me with the power of the Holy Spirit by working through the spirit of Jeannette Clift George, the founder and director of the A.D. Players.  In Mrs. George, I could feel the love of Jesus.  I saw in her the Spirit-filled leader that I should be.  Through Jeannette, God spoke to me and gave me an answer to my defeated heart.  She said, “Just as Jesus asked the fishermen to cast the net one more time, that is all He asks of us—to keep casting the net.  We don’t have to worry about the catch.  He will take care of the catch if we are obedient and keep casting the net.”  The words were so simple, yet so powerful.  God told me not to worry about the empty seats at SGT, but rather to simply keep doing what I was called to do.  I left the conference a new person:  filled with answers and with His Holy Spirit.

This experience may seem too personal to be included in the SGT story; however, the change the Lord made in my life has so directly affected the theatre that I felt it should be included [if people are] to fully understand the rest of the story.  Before that time, I had been walking and leading SGT with my natural self, trying to make it work with my own power.  Now, I am walking in the Spirit, relying on God’s power.  Praise the Lord for another miracle!  [Thank You, Father! Praise Your Holy Name! Jehovah!]

COMING NEXT: OUR FIRST HOME OF OUR OWN                

We move again and experience yet another great miracle.

CHRISTIAN THEATRE IN SHOWBIZ PIZZA? #4

(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, October, 1986.  Bracketed information has been added to clarify some items for the blog.  I have no pictures from our time at ShowBiz Pizza.  If anyone has some and sends them to me, I will add them later.)

 

Even though we had experienced difficult times during the first year, we began our second season [of Stained Glass Theatre] full of hope and expectation. We felt sure that we had learned from our mistakes and that things would be easier the second year. Ah, yes, we were such foolish dreamers! As we look back now, we can see that it was not our first year that was the real testing—our wilderness—no indeed! The nightmare struggles of the second year made the first year seem like a pleasant dream. Satan began to move against us with full force. The battle was on! Unfortunately, we were not prepared. We had not put on the full armor of God of which Paul speaks (Ephesians 6:11-17). We were greatly lacking in faith and righteousness. Therefore, when the battles came, we tried too often to fight with our own power and strength. It was not enough; it never is. Nonetheless, we fought on without the spiritual maturity to see why we were failing.

The first major crunch of the second year was the worsening of an old problem—finances! As the rent increased to $600 per month and attendance remained up and down, we had to let two of our paid staff go, which left Pat [Edmonds] to carry the load alone. This proved to be too much for one person, so other problems began to surface. Then in November, just two months into the season, we were informed that we would have to vacate the building. The owners of the restaurant wanted to install a bar in the basement where we were. Ironic, yes? 

We quickly began a search for a new home. We found that a small theatre inside ShowBiz Pizza was for rent. The rent was more than we could afford, but we felt that it was an answer to prayer since it met our needs. 

After the move, things did not take off the way we had hoped. We lost some of our regular patrons, or they lost us, we were not sure which. We also had trouble attracting new patrons. Attendance remained generally low all winter and spring. We faced new and ever greater financial difficulties. During that period, it seemed to me that we lived from crisis to crisis. But God kept us going. We had some good nights plus some good gifts. 

By late spring, we felt that someone needed to help Pat. But who? Who would even consider what we could offer? With the qualifications and talents we needed, who would work with a company that half the time could not even pay the salary of the one employee it had? Pat and I had a talented young man named Terry Beasley in mind. Terry was just graduating from college with plans to teach. He had been performing with SGT for over a year, and we knew he was the one we needed. It all seemed like an impossible dream. Then God worked another wonderful miracle. He placed a call in the heart of Terry to serve Him through SGT. Terry accepted the call, for at least one year’s full service. He did this at great personal sacrifice and against the wishes and concerns of many who felt he would be wasting his education and abilities. Now we had a new warrior in the battle for survival. Praise God! It was a battle that we believed was all but lost. But God knew the battle was not over. Victory was ahead! [Thank You, Father! Praise Your Holy Name! Jehovah!]

COMING NEXT: DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN
When we were defeated in spirit, God worked a Spiritual miracle in our hearts and gave us new hope and vision.

SEEDS OF JOY # 3

(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, September, 1986.)

Yes, God had given us a building rent free! However, there was much work to be done. We began working day and night to turn the basement of a restaurant into a theatre. It seemed a monumental task for a few young artists (and one old one) with limited funds and time. Seats had to be found and installed, a stage, scenery, and seating risers had to be built, carpet found and laid, lighting and sound systems installed, letters, news releases, programs and publicity written, printed and mailed, interviews and commercials recorded, and costumes made. 

Pat Edmonds directing rehearsal

All of this and more, plus one other small detail—a show had to be rehearsed and readied for production. Yes, the task seemed too great, and I often found myself asking, “Why am I doing this?” Somehow, through sleepless nights and exhausting days, God gave that little group of dedicated actors and technicians the strength to get it all done on schedule.

Pat Edmonds and Ward Franz

Denise Boutwell and Ward Franz

October 27, 1983, Stained Glass Theatre, the Midwest's only full-time Christian theatre, opened its doors for the first time with a special premiere performance and dedication ceremony. The play that night was SEEDS OF JOY, and because of that, “SEEDS” has a special place in our hearts.

Seeds of Joy clown tent

Nate's office

The first season was underway. As it turned out, it was a season of ups and downs, blessings and disappointments, good nights and bad, and always (and I do mean always) a financial struggle.

Our biggest disappointment of that first season was attendance. It soon became evident that Springfield had not been holding its breath, waiting for the arrival of a Christian theatre. We did have some overflowing nights, but those were the exceptions, not the rule. Many times we played to less than ten people. It was hard not to get discouraged and want to quit, but God kept our spirits up most of the time.

With low attendance and little (if any) pledge support, there was the ever present specter of having to close down simply because we couldn't meet our bills. Even before we opened, the restaurant sold, and with the new owners, the free rent soon went to $100 a month, then $200, then $400, and finally $600. There were many times when we couldn't pay salaries for the three who were working for us. The times were hard, and we just didn't see how we could keep afloat, but just when it would seem that all was lost, God would give us another miracle. I recall one such miracle. After a show one night, a man and wife heard us say that we had to have at least five hundred dollars or we couldn't open the next show. They left and came back a few minutes later and handed us five one hundred dollar bills! They told us God spoke to their hearts and told them to give us the money. Needless to say, we all cried tears of joy and praised God that night. We know that God kept Stained Glass Theatre going that first year, and we give Him all the praise and glory. Thank You, Father! Praise Your Holy Name! Jehovah!

COMING NEXT:  CHRISTIAN THEATRE IN SHOW-BIZ PIZZA?
We are forced to move and face many trials but God calls a new warrior to join the battle for survival.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS # 2

(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, August, 1986. Bracketed information has been added to clarify some items for the blog.)

Where, when and why did it all begin? The where and when are simple—in the fall of 1982 in Bolivar, Missouri. The why, as with all dreams, is a little more difficult. In trying to answer the why, I can only tell you that I believe God planted the dream for a full-time Christian theatre in Springfield in my heart as a call to serve Him with the gifts and talents He gave me. And likewise, to provide opportunities for young Christian artists to use their talents to glorify and hold up the name of the Lord before the world. I believe that theatre is a powerful tool for influencing lives and should not be left just in the hands of a secular world.

So I felt His call, but even so it was only a dream; how do you make a dream a reality? How do you begin when the task seems monumental? Perhaps the wise man says, “You don't.” However, being more a dreamer than a wise man, I reasoned, “Just start. Once you tell everyone what you want to do they will be so excited they'll jump on the band wagon by giving of their time and money.” I told you I was a dreamer! At any rate, with the blessings and encouragement of my wife, I did begin.

I felt that God had given me the names of several others to join me. The first name was Pat Edmonds. After talking with Pat, I was sure, for as it turned out, Pat had a similar dream. I also talked with my daughter, Denise, and a school teacher friend, Peggy Turner. They, too, wanted to be involved. So together we agreed to contact some others we felt would be interested and called a founders meeting for October 17, 1982. That very special first meeting was attended by myself, Pat, Denise, Peggy, and three other theatre students at SBU—Doug Austin, Ward Franz, and Mike Shew. The group covenanted together to form the Stained Glass Players. We developed a plan of action. We would spend the first year planning, organizing, performing in Springfield area churches, and raising the $2,000 plus that we thought it would take to get going. The plans also included finding a building the following summer (1983) that could be renovated into a theatre to give the Stained Glass Players a home. [Stained Glass Players is still the legal name of our ministry even though we have done business as Stained Glass Theatre almost from the beginning.]

The plan went as scheduled through the winter, spring, and early summer. Then in August, when we began to look for a building to rent, we hit our first “brick wall.” We had hoped to find a building we could rent for around $300 per month. We soon discovered that we really had been dreaming. We could not even find a burnt out fox hole for that. We were really discouraged until God led us to Bill McClure and his Plantation Restaurant. [The Restaurant was located at the corner of Sunshine and Grant Streets in Springfield where Perkins Restaurant is now. It may have been known as Springfield Family Restaurant.] We had heard that the basement of the restaurant was empty and that Mr. McClure had had Christian singing groups perform at his restaurant before. We didn't think there was much of a chance, but we decided to at least talk to him.

After seeing the basement area of the restaurant, we were both excited and sick—excited because it was so right, sick because we knew there was no way we could afford it. It was one hundred times nicer than anything we had looked at. It met all of our needs—performance area, seating space for one hundred [we had to install the actual risers and seats as shown here], office space, lobby and restrooms, good heating and air conditioning, even a parking lot. It seemed to be perfect; however, compared to what we had seen, I knew we were looking at somewhere around $1200 per month or more. I was embarrassed to even tell Mr. McClure what I thought we could afford ($300-$400), but I did tell him our situation. He said, “Let me talk to my wife and see what we can do. We'll let you know in a couple of weeks.” We did a lot of praying the next two weeks. I kept thinking he would try to give us a reasonable price, but that it would still be more like $800-$900, which was much more than we could afford. If he got as low as six hundred, maybe we could find a way. Two weeks later, we called him, hoping for the best and expecting the worst. And God “blew us away” with the first miracle on our journey—Mr. McClure told us that we could have it—rent free! Praise God! 

We had our first home and we could begin our ministry in Springfield!  [This picture shows our first sign with our first logo attached to the post below the restaurant sign.]  

Thank You, Father!  Praise Your Holy Name! Jehovah!

COMING NEXT:  SEEDS OF JOY

The first season begins, our first show, and another miracle.

MEN WHO DREAM # 1

As Stained Glass Theatre approaches the start of its 30^th season this September (2012), it seems a good time to reminisce with stories telling of the many amazing miracles which have become the hallmark of God's divine Grace, Leadership, and Guidance over SGT from the beginning until now.

Even though I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the electronic age, I have been convinced that a blog would be a good way to compile and preserve the fragments that make up the history and heritage of the SGT Ministry. SGT's past is rich and colorful and I want to share my thoughts about it before time and age cloud my memory. I also encourage you who read it to add comments with your own memories. Many of these stories have been told elsewhere, but many will be shared in this blog for the very first time.

The quote beneath the blog title is from the opening line of God's Mighty Oak, the true story of the two young men of God who founded Southwest Baptist University. These words are probably the most memorable and oft quoted I've ever written. The line continues with, “And so it was that a new Baptist college was born in the dreams of two young men of God.” That sentence is never quoted, but it has special meaning and relevance to me. For that line, several years later, gave me the inspiration and courage to found Stained Glass Theatre. To paraphrase, “And so it was that a new Christian Theatre was born in the dreams of two men of God—Ron Boutwell and Pat Edmonds.” Pat Edmonds was a student and friend of mine. He was a co-founder and SGT's first Managing Director.

As I have shared these miracle stories with others over the years, our eyes would fill with tears. It's hard to speak of God performing miracles in your struggles without becoming emotional. As we make this journey together, I hope to bless and encourage all of you who have God-given dreams.

COMING NEXT: HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
The dream, the organizing, the players, the fund raising, the search for a building, and the first miracle.