India Tribune

By Dr. Regi Paul

Chicago: The Indo-American Christian Children of Chicago and North America dramatized the universal message of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to over 1,000 people in the tri-state area through their 25 Live Presentation and 13th Annual Anniversary of the Passion Play of  Christ, “Our Children, Our Good Friday” on Saturday, March 27, at Bensalem High School Auditorium, Bensalem,  Pennsylvania.

The Passion Play, “Our Children, Our Good Friday” was hosted by the Grace-Trinity United Church of Christ and the Greater City of Philadelphia Churches and Christian Associations of Pennsylvania. IACCCNA proclaimed the Christian message of peace, harmony, and goodwill among all the people and nations of the world based on the Seven Words of Christ on the Cross. The Christian teachings and the story of Jesus Christ became alive and had a powerful impact on the audience. God filled every child with the Holy Spirit and used them as instruments and vessels to reach unreachable to win souls for the glory of God.

Dr. Chandra Soans, Pastor of Grace-Trinity United Church of Christ, extended a warm welcome to Indo-American Christian Children of Chicago and North America  on   behalf of all participating Churches and Christian Associations in Philadelphia.  Bensalem Mayor Honorable Joseph DiGirolamo recognized the efforts of the Indo-American Christian Children of Chicago and North American and conveyed his greetings through a letter, which was readout at the program. The program was sponsored by Grace-Trinity United Church of Christ, Philadelphia; Bethany House of Worship of Philadelphia; Cross Roads Community Church, Philadelphia; United Evangelical Christian Church Fellowship, New Jersey; Telugu Christian Fellowship, New Jersey; Sunshine Mini-stries, Philadelphia; Telugu Christian Fellowship, Dela-ware; Graduates Fellow-ship, Philadelphia; and India Christian Fellowship, Phila-delphia. Individual Philadel-phia-based businesses that supported the play include  Jose Joseph Kunjappu of the Visa and Passport Services, Joseph Mathew from Allstate Insurance Company, Jamuna Travels, Rajan Abraham, a Philadelphia-based realtor agent, Best Taste of Asia, The Verses Vineyard, and US Insurance Solutions.

Jospeh Chikkala, chairper-son of the Organizing Com-mittee of the Christian Community and Churches in Philadelphia, gave his acknowledgements and praised the India Christian Children of Chicago and North America for their faith and commitment in serving the Lord’s Ministry at such a young age.  The event began with an opening prayer by Bro. Anil Paul of Bethany House of Worship.  Rev. Kamalesh Stephen of Grace Trinity United Church of Christ of Philadelphia served as masters of ceremonies. The opening song was performed by Ashlee Madhukar, Gospel singer from South Florida. The Grace-Trinity United Church of Christ Choir and a team of Indian gospel singers led by  James Amberpeta also participated.

James Mitra, technical director of the Passion Play from Chicago, designed professional digital backdrops for each of 13 scenes.  Arun Polepaka and  Joe Chettipally assisted him with their extraordinary computer and graphic skills for this digital presentation. 

The music for “Our Children, Our Good Friday” was performed live by  Pravin Charles of Chicago, who is the original music director for Passion Play “Our Children, Our Good Friday”

The mission of Passion Play  to “Awakening the Child’s Faith in Christ and Uniting the Communities through the Hearts and Hands of Our Children” was successfully achieved in the second scene “Jesus Triumphal Entry” 106 children from various Indian communities and Churches from Philadelphia joined Chicago cast members and praised and worshiped and celebrated message of Christ Resurrection — Holy Easter.  Passion Play produced positive impact in uniting various denominational churches and diverse Indian communities and Christian families of both Philadelphia and Chicago and gave an opportunity to renew their old family friendships, bonds of Christian love and faith in Christ. The play brought unity and continuity among diverse groups, organizations and Churches of Philadelphia. This is the land mark of Indo-American Christian Children Ministry for last 14 years.

The most outstanding new scene “Joseph of Arimathea” produced profound and deep impact on the audience where “Jesus Christ Body” was carried out of auditorium after Crucifixion for burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus escorted by Roman soldiers for final burial only to be raised on third day. Many people openly wept, believed, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal savior.  Children displayed their personal faith and conviction through enactment that generated a cathartic life changing experience and transformed the lives of many.

Dr. Regi Paul, founder and producer of India Passion Play “Our Children, Our Good Friday” gave a brief history of the play and its outstanding success in teaching and training children in non-violent techniques based on Christ’s teachings of Seven Words on the Cross. He stated that after 13 years of hard work and many obstacles, the play succeeded in attracting children from different cities of America. This year for the third time, a national team of cast members was assembled from California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hamp-shire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas  thus, The Passion Play of Christ has now moved from local Chicago area to a national level with plans underway to perform the Chicago Passion Play in Jerusalem, Israel and in India by 2012.

The original music director, Pravin Charles, was lauded for his music that made the scriptures alive for each child in delivering every word in clarity and depth and made audiences to feel the presence of God.

The stage coordinators  Rita Paul, Beulah Charles, Dr. Reena Paul-Polepaka, and lighting coordinator Rachel Dwaram, costume coordina-tor Beulah Charles and scripture coordinators Jeeva Gorre, Jyothi Bhasker, Smitha Matthew, Dr. Persis Bandari and makeup coordinators Esther Raj, Hannah Peram, Deborah Seesala and Pramila Potla prayerfully supervised each scene. Dr. John Thomas from Florida was the special makeup artist for the play, who was assisted by the Chicago coordinators.