Popular drama plays for final time this weekend

The popular drama “Life of Christ” returns this weekend for its final performance at the Ironton High School.

This is the sixth year for the drama, which features over 100 local actors and singers.

“The play is a musical drama presentation of the life of Jesus Christ, from birth until His resurrection,” said Becky Bowling, director of the play. “We tell the greatest story ever told. It’s the passion of Jesus Christ.”

It will be held at the IHS auditorium on Friday and Saturday. It is sponsored by Jeremiah38 Ministries, which is housed in the Oakland Chapel Church.

“This is our final performance and it is dedicated to Scott. He founded Jeremiah38 Ministries,” Bowling said.

“He passed away this past year. So our final performance is in his memory.”

The other co-directors are Kelly Brock, Shelley Pinkerman, and Connie Lynd.

The play is used to fund overseas missions to places like Israel, Ecuador, Peru, and Honduras, and to support missionaries in China.

“100 percent of the proceeds go to fund medical mission trips to several countries,” Bowling said.

Volunteers on the trips also give out basic mediations like Tylenol and blood pressure pills, vitamins and parasite medications.

“We do it because Christ said to go and tell everyone about his love and his story,” Bowling said. “We figure to do that, it takes finances. What better way than to tell the story of Christ.

And everyone loves to eat. So we combined the two.”

Tickets are $20 for dinner and the performance.

The dinner starts at 5 p.m. both days. On Friday, there will be a pasta bar and on Saturday, barbecue pork and sides. Music starts at 6 p.m.

“So when people get done eating, they can go into the auditorium and listen to some of the best gospel music in the tri-state,” Bowling said.

The drama starts at 7 p.m.

Over 100 people from 18 local churches perform.

“We’ve been practicing since November,” Bowling said. “And our whole goal is to share the gospel with the community and people around the world.”

She said the tickets are just about sold out for the Saturday show and there are still several available for Friday.

Tickets are available at Wade’s Work and Western Wear in Coal Grove, Touch of Grace in Ironton, The Mustard Seed Bookstore in Chesapeake, or by calling Donna Bowling at 740-643-0282 or Becky Bowling at 740-646-9861.