Eleven years ago, the Kelso-Longview, Wash. Adventist Church (in the Oregon Conference) presented a musical drama, Journey to the Cross, which engaged their community. In the years since, Journey to the Cross has become a tradition with more than 1800 people coming to the performances. Preparation and rehearsals begin in January for this annual Easter production with more than 130 people from the church and community making up the cast and support personnel.
At the end of each program, cast and choir line up to greet and thank the community as they leave the building. This year, on the evening of the final Journey program, a lady shared with Mike Speegle, lead pastor, how she had contemplated ending her life on Easter Sunday but had instead come to Journey to the Cross. She found hope through the message of the resurrected Christ.
"This is what Journey is all about," Speegle affirms, "sharing with our community the most important message in the world, helping people connect with God, and encouraging them in their journey with Him."
