(From
my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, June,
1989)
If you remember, we have been sharing
with you what we believe have been some answers to a simple and beautiful
prayer of the heart prayed by Larry Sneed. That prayer, “Lord, send them an
army . . .” was prayed over four years ago, yet, at Stained Glass Theatre,
we still feel and see the results of that prayer every day. Thank you again,
Larry, for your heart and spirit.
Since that prayer, so many
Spirit-filled, committed men, women, young people, boys, and girls have joined
ranks with SGT to form a mighty army of volunteers to march shoulder to
shoulder in carrying the growing load of a ministry the Lord has raised up.
Some have served for a few months and some have served for years, but all have
blessed the ministry.
It might surprise many to know just
how many people and how many “man-hours” are required in order to produce one
show each season—and remember, we mount five shows a season. On the average, it
takes 25 to 35 people per show. This includes cast, director, writer, light and
sound crew, stage and prop crew, costume and makeup workers, and individuals
who perform pre-show entertainment. To have so many who come and work what is the
equivalent to a second job is nothing less than a miracle of God. This is even more
astounding when you consider that no one gets paid. That’s right, hundreds—nay,
two thousand plus—“man-hours” volunteered, not once, but five times a year.
Yes, that is indeed a miracle of God. Everyone serves because they want to
serve the Lord and they believe that SGT is a ministry of God. They have to
believe that SGT is a work of the Lord, or else they would not be working their
hearts out week after week. No one would work that hard just to serve a work of
man.
As with most anything, I guess, there
are those who seem to be in positions where they receive recognition, while
there are those who serve with equal loyalty, diligence, and love who often go
unnoticed. This does not seem exactly just. So let us take time now to focus on
those unsung heroes who work behind the scenes and hardly ever get the credit they
deserve. I dare not start to name names, for there have been, and are now, so
many it would not be practical. Even so, names or not, these individuals should
know that their faithful work is greatly appreciated.
For certain, those who are up on stage
in the spotlight deserve the recognition, applause, and words of praise which
come to them. They have faithfully worked many hours learning lines (for major
roles, that is not an easy feat), spent, long days and nights in rehearsals,
and committed almost three months of their time from beginning rehearsals until
final performance. There is no doubt that these faithful performers deserve our
respect and gratitude; however, we must also never forget that there could be
no show without the dozen or so, just as faithful, individuals who build the
set, make the costumes, run the lights and sound, sell the tickets, seat the
audience, sell the concessions, or park the cars These dedicated heroes deserve
our hearts perhaps even more than the performers, for they do their work
quietly behind the scenes. They aren’t motivated by the glare of the spotlight
or the roar of the crowd. They don’t leave the theatre each night with the
memory of applause still fresh on their ears. Nor is their weariness of a long
evening of work eased by the many “thank yous” and compliments they have
received; for, more likely than not, they will have heard none. When I used the
term “dedicated heroes,” I was not using the term lightly. They are heroes—the unsung
heroes of God’s army. SGT could not function without them. The ministry would not be possible without them. They are the backbone of all we do. So we want to say thank you to all
who serve SGT behind the scenes. You work so hard and ask so little. You are
very special to us. We love you and we praise God for each and every precious
servant He has sent to us. Thank You, Father. Praise Your Holy Name, Jehovah!
COMING
NEXT: SEASON OF WARFARE
The naming of a season is a
very important and sacred decision for SGT. It captures the spirit and goals of
the season. So why a “Season of Warfare”?
