 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. How we met Bob we’re still not sure, but the lineage seems to underscore the original vision that came into view when my wife, Vikki, and I began finding links between our careers as professional (read: union) actors and our continuing discoveries that there was a use for theater in church beyond holidays and summer vacations. The vision was connecting professionals who are Christ-followers with church ministries which use performing arts to enhance methods how the gospel is shared. For example, adapting scene study techniques in Bible study. Sometime in the late ‘90s. Vikki was performing a show at Madison Repertory. She and the stage manager began having down-time conversations about Christ. A relief to both. During those conversations, Vikki mentioned our burgeoning theatrical Christian education ministry. In kind, the stage manage mentioned Christ-following individuals and organizations that were looking to connect with other Believing performers. To be sure, these connecting conversations often had a cloak-and-dagger feel, but from them, we were introduced to two influential organizations in Christendom theater: Christians in Theater Arts (CITA) and Lillenas Drama. At the same time, in the name-dropping realm, came the names of three people we ought know – Alan Atwood (theater), Guy Silagi (film) and Mimi Sagadin (actor). Our feeling, from auditions and shows, that few of our fellow Believing performers, knew any of these individuals or entities. We thought it would be nice if the worlds collided. Thus we started what we called, “The Christian Theater Network.” In gathering resources, someone asked, “Do you know about Karitos?” I investigated. Enter Bob.  Bob Hay (right) with the group at a Christian Theater Network workshop in 2002. To the left are Jenny Leo and her husband, Thomas, both contributors to the KIT Ministries history. Thomas and I co-founded CTN, and Jenny commissioned Vikki's first solo women's ministries play for the Streamwood Park District. The year, I don’t recall, but the sessions were in Homewood. I went alone. My concept of worship expression was expanded, as was my vision of what following Christ could – ought to – look like. “Every tribe, tongue and nation…” at two conferences I attended at All Nations Community Church. Pack-rat that I am, in the course of reviewing the files of Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries history, I found programs and notes from sessions I went to in 2002, 2003.) The essence of Karitos was fodder for a column I wrote in the Christian Theater Network Chronicles newsletter in the summer of 2002: “Gee, it only felt like 15 minutes: The Karitos closing. 14 performances in 80 minutes, no emcee, and lots of uplifted hands.”
“Workshop topic every conference should include: ‘Taxing Business of Ministry,’ Dr. Wayne Lenell.” Networking the Karitos WayAfter 2003, my church staff responsibilities precluded me from attending Karitos. However, my expanded role enabled me to create a line item in the church budget to send others to the conference, and thus anchor the link between Bob and KIT Ministries today.
The young brother was Joe Wright Jr., who was doing sessions on music rights, recording and presentation. Joe was an active member of AFTRA, a performers union to which I also belong. In other words, Joe was a professional in the industry, who was also a Christ-follower. So, though not scheduled to go, I met Joe the next day. Since that meeting in 2004, Joe Wright has advised us in our musical publishing entity, counseled Vikki about distributing and licensing her recorded music, served with us in live music ministry, produced my first three audio books, and, with his wife, Ronda, has become a KIT supporter in both practical and spiritual matters. Because of Bob. In the decade thereafter, CTN faded, and my conversations with Bob were sparse. Usually by email. Occasionally calls. Frequently they involved prayers on Karitos changes and family illnesses. My church roles changed twice, then my time on staff ended, so our KIT Ministries focus intensified. One Friday afternoon, Joe Wright called to invite me to an orientation weekend for a not-for-profit organization called Artists in Christian Testimony Intl. Joe’s ministry had recent become affiliated with A.C.T. Intl. He thought they’d be a good fit for helping me find our direction. But since this was a last-minute invite, Joe wasn’t sure if I had time, or if the people from A.C.T. had space for me.  Bob's orientation day with A.C.T. Intl in 2017 included copious note-taking, sharing the Karitos story, engaging with Rev. Larry Moeshell, director of staff development. A.C.T. OrientationIn the decade thereafter, CTN faded, and my conversations with Bob were sparse. Usually by email. Occasionally calls. Frequently they involved prayers on Karitos changes and family illnesses. My church roles changed twice, then my time on staff ended, so our KIT Ministries The orientation was at a church in Rolling Meadows, not far from my house. I sheepishly walked in the fellowship hall, knowing no one, nor wishing to engage with people. Just learn and listening. Enter Bob. The orientation was at hosted by Bob’s church. Having recently weathered another Karitos restructuring, he, too was looking for new direction. We sat together the next couple of days, caught up, dreamed a little, gave testimonies about our ministry journeys. I took photos over Bob’s shoulder, making note to note the notes he thought were important to note. A.C.T. was a perfect fit for where Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries was evolving. We submitted an application, were accepted and have been a department of A.C.T. Intl for nearly 10 years. At the orientation, I met A.C.T. founder Rev. Dr. Byron Spradlin, who, like Rev. Bob, is a firm believer in the power of artistic expression in gospel ministry. Byron’s been a ministry mentor and friend since. Because of Bob. READ MORE Meanwhile, Vikki is CalledOn the other hand, Bob said, at this phase of career, A.C.T. involved than he desired. Health. It was only then I discovered Bob’s age. That weekend was my last communication with him. Until my wife’s phone rang in the car during a midday drive in 2024. “Bob Hay here,” came the familiar, but unexpected, voice. He expected to get me, not realizing Vikki and I had changed numbers long ago. He got a two-fer. He just wanted to talk. So we did, driving around for an hour or so. We told him of the cabarets we were producing, the structure of which borrows ideas from the flow of Karitos worship night. We mostly listened as he updated us on his living arrangements. He doesn’t go out much, and not for long, he said, but perhaps we could coordinate schedules with his drivers. And so it went for an hour or so, until it was time for his afternoon siesta. The talk was fun. Encouraging and, as you may imagine, elicited conflicting emotions. Most of those emotions, however, were thinking back to the artistry of The LORD. How He has orchestrated our ministry for three decades and how much has been because of a seemingly innocuous backstage conversation born of frustration, and how all ministry roads lead to Bob.
And we all lived eternally ever after. Epilogue Bob Hay with Karitos Legacy dining companions, 2025.  My dinner with Bob Hay, eight years after, Woodfield Mall, 2025. A few days after composing the above, Vikki and I had an actual face-to-face reunion with Bob, August 3, 2025. Like Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries, Karitos is celebrating 30 years since its founding. Part of the celebration was Karitos Legacy Night, a self-titled "reunion of sorts," at Sign of the Dove Church in Waukegan, IL. We couldn't make that program, but we did get to hang with Bob the day before, dining with him and a current generation of Karitos artists at Woodfield Mall. SEE MORE: KARITOS LEGACY NIGHT PHOTOS I actually got to tell him how he and the Karitos connection are part of the KIT Ministries legacy -- the anecdotes written here, which are not something we often have an opportunity to share, for, in Marc Antony's words, "The good is oft' interred with their bones." Instead, the weekend was an opportunity for Bob and the early organizers of Karitos to see how The LORD continues expanding on the vision He gave them, and for me to finally get an answer to a question that has plagued me for decades. Though he is widowed, lives alone, relies on other for transportation. crosses terrain wheelchair, and tends to repeat anecdotes, he nevertheless defies age....as he always has. And so... "Bob," I asked, kneeling beside his chariot, "how old ARE you?" He paused. Is this a memory glitch, or comedic timing. "Well..." (Beat). "I was born in 1937." Those around the table now paused. His retort was not faulty memory nor a comedy ruse. 'Twas an arithmetic story problem. For we all scrambled to the math. For good measure he added, "August 10." So now we know. We also know that, through the conferences, reunions and the network of people still sharing the gospel through performing arts, the morale of the story is this (yes, morale): The LORD’S ways are not as mysterious as they are creative. What the Hay, Bob. Thank you for your supportThe KIT 'n' Kaboodle blog is published by Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries, a staff department of Artists in Christian Testimony, Intl, a fully-a fully registered 501(c)(3) organization since 1973. Please partner with us presenting the gospel through our printed and performing arts media. Your gift is completely tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for all your contributions for tax purposes. 
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Proudly powered by Weebly