 We're in tech for the simplest staging and most provocative piece of our theater festival, "Convergence of History: Four Anniversaries, One Faith."
So, I'm eager for and wary of how the audience will respond to "Freedom Song: The Amazing Grace/Uncle Tom Suite," the Reader's Theater piece Vikki and I are presenting Saturday, April 11 at the Schaumburg Township District Library. The reading begins at noon. Our time together, including the post-show Q & A, is an hour. Unless people want to hang out and keep talking. Given the racial, political, spiritual and emotional intensity of the last month -- not to mention the last 15 -- it may not seem wise to read excerpts of the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin." in public. Yet, it's perhaps because of the current climate that we sense a different type of pertinence to this program. There are three discoveries we've made as we've woven the narrative of John Newton's transformation from slave-trader to the pastor who composed "Amazing Grace" that we believe will make this hour worth attending: 1) The intriguing way Newton came to experience "grace" as an act of God to be replicated, not just discussed and sung about. 2) How author Harriet Beecher Stowe was affected by the lyrics to the extent she was to use them and adapt her own as an integral element in her novel's storyline and the protagonist's decisions. 3) That Stowe's prologue and epilogue, which we highlight in our adaptation, are a more frightening message to the those who claim Christian faith in the United States in 2026 as when she penned them in 1852. Her message, in the same vein as Frederick Douglass' speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?", challenges professed Christians to live the tenets of the Christ rather than leveraging selected passages to justify personal positions. This last discovering surprised us because, a) because we didn't include them when we created the script in 2019; b) I only found these passages after last Saturday's rehearsal when Vikki and I felt a section of the script needed more context. Reading Stowe's bookending words was a gift of grace. And a plus of Reader's Theater. We're hopeful you will grace us with your presence Saturday. We have no agenda other than to entertain, educate, equip and empower Safe-Faith Conversations and a closer living the grace of The LORD God. Yes, we still have seats: tinyurl.com/GraceTom2026
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 Degrees of Divine Inspiration: Michael reunites with Bob Hay (front row, white shirt) and meets Byron Spradlin (hands on Bob's shoulders at introduction orientation to Artists in Christian Testimony Intl. (2017). by Michael Edgar Myers Founding Artistic Director The history of Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries is full of meaningful encounters with individuals who have influenced our work in unique ways. There have been one-time encounters with audience members after performances. Requests from pastors and church leaders asking, “Teach us to do what you do.” There are recurring encouragements from financial partners whose sacrificial generosity sustains our goals month-to-month; and from those to whom prayer is Lip Service and more than lip service. Then there is Bob Hay, in the category of his own: catalyst. Simply put, several significant ministry and personal the relationships we have today – our 30th anniversary season – we directly attribute to our connection to Bob.
 Elders, family and church leaders lift a prayer of affirmation on Mike Miller (with staff), installed as Lead Pastor of Living Hope Church, Elk Grove Village, IL, April 2024. by Michael Edgar Myers Founding Artistic Director Growing up where and when I did, we did not have pastors in our church.
We did, but we didn’t. Whereas “pastor” is a commonplace term today, in my youth its synonyms were wide-ranging with historical cultural importance (to be outlined at another time). We had “preachers” and “parsons,” “ministers” and “reverends” – especially Ministers and Revs – but, yes, we had us no pastors. We had us no “pastors” to pray. Yet, to borrow from Romeo’s adoration of Juliet (a Shakespearean connection we’ll occasionally adapt), “pastor” by any other name can still be a rose in a community. Or a thorn. These are among the thoughts that percolated over our prayer and coffee conversations during Pastor Appreciation Month. The occasion allowed us as Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries to reflect on clergy who have influenced our lives as we embark upon our 30th year of service.  Irving Berlin, composer of a beloved American patriotic hymn. In the same week our nation honored fallen military personnel who sacrificed their lives to protect liberties such as freedom of religion, speech and the remaining Bill of Rights, a court decision in New York sparked cries that “this is a bad day for America.”
We agree, these are bad days for America, but not because of that verdict. Responses to the verdict across the nation further illustrated divisions in the U.S. that seem to grow wider daily, regardless of topic. Politics is least among them. As we rehearse the songs and Scripture content of our newest show, “Freedom Suite: Juneteenth, July Fourth, The Gospel,” we’re affected by the parallels between “bad days” in American history and those of the Israelites and Judeans recorded in the Old Testament books Kings and Chronicles. Amid headlines of court cases, violence, tornadic weather, wars and rumors of wars, we often hear, read or cry out, “God, Bless America.” Before this was a jingoist slogan, the phrase was a beloved song, written by Irving Berlin, an immigrant, a Jewish composer born in Russia, whose surname translates to the name of Germany’s capital. This parallel is among the ironies we highlight in “Freedom Suite.” We're fast approaching out first cabaret of the year, "An Evening with Kingdom Impact Theater: LIVE! at The Barn," Connection Church of Libertyville, IL., Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. This event is shaping to be the most exciting program we have presented in terms of content and audience engagement. We anticipate seeing the most effective fulfillment of our purposes for producing the cabaret:
The vibrant red building with adjacent farmhouses are easily accessible but can be missed even if looking. We hope these banners can help the audience more easily find the location for this show...and others we're scheduling. Investing in transportable signage such as this will save us time and the expense of creating new directional material each place we perform. We know that because of where you live, it's unlikely you be able to physically join us on March 15. We also know that as a long-time follower of Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries, you keep track of our activities. We're hopeful these observations mean you're looking for opportunities to tangibly support us. So, we're asking if you would donate to our publicity fund and help underwrite advertising and printing costs.  We're looking to raise $1000 for this on-going endeavor. Besides signs and advertising, we have recurring expenses for programs and newsletters. You may make a one-time gift, or commit to monthly or period donations. Please visit tinyurl.com/KITdonations to choose your method of giving and view samples of our work. Whatever your decision, please know how much we appreciate that you take the time to read our newsletters, social posts and website -- which, incidentally, is next on our goals to upgrade. We would love to include you in the growing roster of donors helping Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries follow Christ’s command in Mark 16:15 to “go into the world and proclaim the gospel.” #SDG #Shalom #Selah #AndAmen And thank you for your support.  |
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