THE EXCITING DAYS OF BOCHIM #28

(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, April, 1990)

Unbelievable!

Fantastic!

Inspirational!

What word or words do I use to express the excitement that surrounded the production of BOCHIM? It is not always easy to describe events when God is moving in them. When he is present, His presence is so awesome that words seem to fail to convey our true feelings at those times. And God’s presence was felt in a mighty way at Stained Glass Theatre during the days of BOCHIM. And for that, we will be eternally grateful. Though the words may be inadequate, please permit me to try to share some of the joy we all experienced as God brought revival into hundreds of lives during the days of BOCHIM.

As I shared with you last time, there was an excitement and anticipation that was with us even as we began rehearsals. Most felt that God was going to move in a mighty way—we sensed it in our prayer and devotional times, we sensed it as we worked on lines and movement, and we sensed it as people came by to watch a bit of rehearsal and seemed to immediately get caught up in what they were watching. There were times when people actually moved through the theatre as if they were on holy ground. I can’t explain it—it was just a feeling that was there.

Everyone felt that we were breaking new ground. Cast and crew were getting caught up in the excitement of revival. BOCHIM is about judgement, yes, but it is mainly about a call for revival—a call for spiritual awakening. As in the play, as God called the church at Wintercreek to revival, so we felt that God was calling SGT to revival. And it did happen in the lives of many who were involved—a repentance that brought spiritual blessings and excitement.

As the rehearsal phase was drawing to a close and opening night approached, we were further charged with anticipation of all that God wanted to do. It was at this time that Terry Beasley shared with cast and crew a vision that God had given him. In the vision, God showed Terry the theatre as it would be during performances—filled with people praying. He saw people at the altar and all around kneeling and praying and crying in repentance. Overhead, he saw the angels of the Lord doing battle with Satan’s forces. Hard to believe? Perhaps. But as one of the characters of BOCHIM states, “How easy it is to doubt someone else’s experience.”

Opening night came, and God did just what we had prayed for. He began to move in people’s lives. The audience came that night, and the performance nights that followed, perhaps expecting nothing more than an evening’s entertainment. But many left having been touched by God. And it was as it had been shown to Terry in the vision—people did come to the altar, they knelt at their pews, and they prayed, and they wept. Lives were set right with God, and there were salvations.

Night after night, audience members shared with me and others how the show had touched them in a special way. We heard over and over again from people that the play was their story or the story of their church. We were asked again and again if there was any way that we could bring the production to their church. And in the days between shows, we received phone calls about how the show had touched individuals or church groups that had attended.

Yes, the days of BOCHIM were exciting! But our prayer is that all that happened during those days was only the beginning. That the sparks of revival have been sent forth and that mighty revival fires will fill our churches. Lord, please set our hearts and churches ablaze with Your Holy Spirit and Fire! Thank You, Father. Praise Your Holy Name, Jehovah! 

[2022 NOTE: Oh, how great this need is in America today!]

COMING NEXT: GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US

We seek His presence in all that we do. And may all that we do glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!