By CHIP HUTCHESON, Kentucky Today

MAYFIELD, Ky. (KT) -- The biggest outreach opportunity of the year begins this weekend for Trace Creek Baptist Church when it presents "The Promise," a musical drama that follows the life of Jesus Christ.

This will mark the 23rd year for the church to host thousands over two weekends that include eight performances.

Scheduled performances are:

• Friday, March 22: 7 p.m.

• Saturday, March 23: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Sunday, March 24: 2 p.m.

• Friday, March 29: 7 p.m.

• Saturday, March 30: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• East Sunday, March 31: 6 p.m.

"For Trace Creek, it has become part of our DNA -- it is part of what we do as a church," said TJ Skeen, minister of music and lead director for The Promise. "It is the biggest outreach opportunity we have as a church to share the gospel." Last year there were seven performances and more than 7,000 people reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. There were 60 decisions for Christ recorded. "We see individuals saved each year through the performances and, sometimes, even the rehearsals," according to the church's website.

Although the production is held every year, Skeen said it is "amazing to us that every year, when we poll the audience, more than 50 percent have never seen it before. For this many years, over half have never seen it-- what a blessing to know that we are able through the Lord to have that impact. The story is the same, but the program is not exactly the same each year. One of the best feedback comments we get from our guests is that something is always a little different."

This year the church will have about 450 people involved in the cast and crew. "It's a blessing to see our new people who have joined in the past year get involved," Skeen noted, saying church members "really encourage new people to get involved." He said one couple who was in the drama for the first time last year are doing it again this year, and their newborn son will be portraying Baby Jesus.

"This is exhausting and hard work, but we have a blast doing it," Skeen said. He and his wife and their three children are all part of the production. "It is something we can do as a family."

"The play began in Glen Rose, Texas, in 1989 and then went to Branson,Mo., in 1996. In 1993, The Promise became the first Christian production to be allowed into the former Soviet Union. In the late 1990s, Trace Creek obtained the rights to present the production, beginning with our inaugural 2000 season. It was interrupted two years by Covid. All seating is ground level, so no steps are involved. Reservations are not taken for Easter Sunday, but the church said there is enough room to seat groups at that performance. Seen said The Promise attracts people from throughout the western Kentucky area and from out of state.

Group reservations can be made at http://www.tracecreek.org/the-promise-2024. For more information, persons can call the church office at 270-658-3304. Ronnie Stinson, Jr., is senior pastor.