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Religious music - Michael W. Smith is part of a new era in Christian films. He’s making his acting debut in “The Second Chance.”

Not since the 1950s, when a bearded Charlton Heston threw down the stone tablets in “The Ten Commandments” and drove a chariot in “Ben Hur,” have audiences been exposed to such openly Christian themes - and with an eye toward quality story-telling and high-end production.

“The Passion of the Christ,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “End of the Spear” and “The Gospel” are just a few recent movies that have revived a genre that has notoriously lacked class.

“The Second Chance” co-stars Jeff Obafemi Carr, an experienced stage actor. The movie is directed by Steve Taylor, former Christian music artist and now a music producer and director of several music videos and film shorts.

Christian musicians have had a leading role in this sea of change: Smith for his performance; “The Gospel” for utilizing gospel music stars such as Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker; and the frequent occurrence of movie soundtracks that include songs by Christian artists.
I hope Christian-themed movies can avoid the pigeon-hole effect that plagues Christian music. A gospel message needn’t come across as preachy, and so far reviewers say “The Second Chance” avoids that trap.

We Christians should offer up quality entertainment that challenges our beliefs and stirs our souls. You don’t have to preach fire and brimstone to do that. The gospel message of love and redemption is appealing on its own and can be told through strong storylines and moving melodies.

BY BRENT CASTILLO

Faith calendar Kansas City for Music , drama , film
■ ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH (MINNETONKA, MINN.) YOUTH CHOIR: Concert. 7 p.m. Feb. 18, Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf, Overland Park. Free. www.atoneluth.org (913-648-0595)
■ NEIGHBORS STAGE — CHRISTIAN MUSIC: Kristyn Leigh. 8 p.m. Feb. 18; Jim Grohman. 8 p.m. Feb. 24, Neighbors Coffeehouse, 101A Smithville Plaza, U.S. 169, Smithville. Donations accepted. (816-873-3584)
■ “KANSAS CITY CHILDREN’S CHORUS,” UMKC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC: Performance of sacred, children’s and ethnic music. 3 p.m. Feb. 19, Cherokee Christian Church, 75th and Belinder, Prairie Village. Free admission; donations accepted. (913-362-7077, 913-492-4490)
■ “THE GOSPEL OF LOVE ACCORDING TO BROADWAY”: Musical revue featuring Richard Preis. 7 p.m. Feb. 19, Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 14500 E. 39th, Independence. Freewill offering accepted. (816-373-6347)
■ CHARLES DAVID SMART: Guitar music in variety of styles, including gospel, jazz, contemporary Christian, classical, spirituals, hymns and more. 6 p.m. Feb. 19, Open Door Bible Church, 16211 South U.S. 71, Belton. (816-322-0722)
■ CHORAL EVENSONG: Choral music and music for trumpet and organ. 4 p.m. Feb. 19, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th. Free. (816-474-8260)
■ SEEDS FAMILY WORSHIP LIVE: High-energy concert allows family to worship together. 6 p.m. Feb. 19, SouthWoods Christian Church, 16110 Metcalf, Overland Park. Free. www.southwoods.org (913-681-5105)
■ FILM DISCUSSION: Screening of “Hotel Rwanda.” PG-13. 7 p.m. Feb. 24, First Baptist Church, 2205 Iron, North Kansas City. Free admission. www.fbcnkc.org (816-842-1175)
■ THE INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR: Concert; praise and worship, gospel and contemporary gospel style music. 7 p.m. Feb. 24, Carnegie Arts Center, 601 S. Fifth, Leavenworth. (913-651-0765)
■ KLAUSNER AND CASS CONCERT: Violinist Tiberius Klausner and pianist Richard Cass. 2 p.m. Feb. 26, Jewish Community Center, Lewis and Shirley White Theatre, 5801 W. 115th, Overland Park. $18; tickets required. (913-327-8000)
Speakers
■ BOB MENDELSOHN : “Christ in the Passover.” 6 p.m. Feb. 18, High Prairie Gospel Tabernacle, 26480 187th, Leavenworth. (913-727-1576); 10:30 a.m. Feb. 19, First Baptist Church, 11400 Johnson Drive, Shawnee (913-268-6500); 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Maywood Community Church, 11201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. (913-721-2760); 7 p.m. Feb. 21, Armourdale Baptist Church, 700 S. Mill, Kansas City, Kan. (913-371-6476); 10 a.m. Feb. 26, Full Faith Church of Love West, 6824 Lackman, Shawnee. (913-631-1100) .au
■ WALKING IN FAITH SERVICE: The Rev. Janet Swift preaching. 3 p.m. Feb. 19, Sterling Chapel AME Church, 415 S.W. Jefferson, Lee’s Summit. (816-524-2001)
■ JAMES THOMASHOWER SPEAKING: “How Do the Challenges Facing Today’s Organists and Choir Directors Impact Our Future and Our Careers?” 8 p.m. Feb. 20, Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission, Prairie Village. Free. (816-531-4329, 913-262-4200)
■ CHAPEL SERVICES: Scott Brawner speaking. 10 a.m. Feb. 21; Fred Winters speaking. 10 a.m. Feb. 22, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 5001 N. Oak. Free. (816-414-3708)
■ FREE PRESENTATION: “Stem Cell Research and Its Ethical Implications,” John Morris speaking. 7 p.m. Feb. 23, St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence. Child care provided. (816-373-2600)
■ FREE PUBLIC LECTURE: “Current Global Events and Muslim Sensitivities,” Moussa Elbayoumy speaking. Sponsored by the Muslim Student Association of the University of Kansas and the Dawah and Outreach Department of the Islamic Society of GKC. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, University of Kansas, Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall Auditorium, 12600 Quivira, Overland Park. Refreshments served. (816-763-2267)
■ SHABBAT SERVICE: Bob Mendelsohn (Jews for Jesus representative) speaking. 10 a.m. Feb. 25, Or HaOlam Messianic Congregation, 7029 W. 74th, Overland Park. (913-383-8448)
Other announcements
■ “CHOOSING PURITY” WORKSHOP: Presented by Larry Sherraden. 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 18, Spruce Hill Bible Chapel, 11501 E. Bannister. Free. (913-469-6287)
■ FREE CHILI SUPPER AND CLOTHING GIVE-AWAY: Clothing give-away for adults and children. Gospel program provided during mealtime. 3 p.m. Feb. 25, Salem Baptist Church, 1824 N. 11th, Kansas City, Kan. (913-342-0306)
■ GROWING GREAT FAMILIES: Parenting Preteens and Teens — Boundaries, Communication and Sexuality; Effectively Parenting Your Young Child; Family Systems; An Inside Look at Middle and High Schoolers; A Personal Story — Protecting Your Child. 11 a.m. Sundays Feb. 19-April 9, Presbyterian Church of Stanley, Room 234 D/E, 14895 Antioch, Overland Park. (913-681-8180)
■ ADVENTURES IN LEARNING: Learning program for ages 55 and up. Sponsored by Shepherd’s Center of Shawnee Mission. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 21, Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W. 75th, Prairie Village. Registration $3; lunch $5. (913-648-7122)
■ CENTERING PRAYER INTRODUCTION WORKSHOP: Presentations, discussion and opportunities to practice. For those desiring to deepen their prayer life. Sponsored by Contemplative Outreach of Kansas City. 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 21 and 28, St. Andrew Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 13890 W. 127th, Olathe. $25; register. (913-764-5888)
■ SOUTH KANSAS CITY AGLOW LIGHTHOUSE: Meeting featuring Phil and Pam Morgan. Men encouraged to attend. 7 p.m. Feb. 21, Grandview Assembly of God Church, 12400 Grandview. Free child care provided with reservation. (816-761-5739)
■ WOMEN WRITERS GROUP: Women writing for personal growth, posterity or publication. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 22, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, East Building, Room 213, 13720 Roe, Leawood. Free; no registration required. Bring pen and paper. (913-681-1168)
■ FELLOWSHIP THURSDAY: Free hot dinner, food and clothing pantry, door prizes. 6 p.m. Feb. 23, the Rock of Our Salvation, Ninth and Forest. (816-221-ROCK)
■ WORLD OF THE DYING WORKSHOP: Presented by the Rev. Kathleen Rusnak. For all professionals who are engaged with patients and families in the process of death. Sponsored by the Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center — Department of Pastoral Care and Clinical Pastoral Education. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Call for Northland location. Free; register. Lunch on your own. (816-922-8121)
■ THE LEGACY: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: HONORING E.A. FREEMAN: The Rev. Ellis Robinson speaking. Hosted by the Central Baptist Theological Seminary Minority Student Association. Event raises money for the E.A. Freeman Minority Student Scholarship Fund. 7 p.m. Feb. 24, First Baptist Church, 500 Nebraska, Kansas City, Kan. (913-299-2587)
■ INTELLIGENT DESIGN — A REVOLUTION IN SCIENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON RELIGION: Seminar. 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 25, Heartland Church of Christ, 6120 N.W. Prairie View. Donations accepted. (816-457-6977)
■ FREE CHILI SUPPER AND CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: Clothing giveaway for adults and children. Gospel program provided during mealtime. 3 p.m. Feb. 25, Salem Baptist Church, 1824 N. 11th, Kansas City, Kan. (913-342-0306)
■ INTERFAITH LUNCHEON: Panel offers insight into the differing explanations consistent with the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths. Sponsored by the GKC Section of the National Council of Jewish Women in cooperation with the Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee. 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28, Overland Park Marriott. $25; reservation deadline Feb. 20. (913-648-0747, 913-362-3092)
Faith calendar Kansas City

Friendship Fest Brings Christian Artists to Morocco

Nearly 85,000 attended Friendship Fest 2005.

A three-night festival intended to “use the universal language of music to bridge cultures and make friends,” will be making its way to Morocco this Spring for the second year in a row.

Friendship Fest 2006, free to the public and scheduled to be held May 5-7 in Marrekech, Morocco (a predominantly Islamic country), will bring a host of reputable Christian artists together with local musicians in an effort to, “show that people of different cultures and faith traditions can be friends and live in harmony with one another,” according to the event’s organizers, Creation Fest co-founders Harry Thomas and Tim Landis.

Marrekech Regional President Abdelali Doumou called last year’s festival, which drew a crowd of around 85,000 people, a, “historic opportunity for Americans and Moroccans to celebrate together, through music, in friendship and peace,” extending an official invitation to Thomas to return to Morocco at the festival’s close.

According to Christianity Today, Thomas, whose initial efforts to run Friendship Fest were opposed by some Moroccans who objected against the religious content of the music, was able to quell tensions by assuring officials that none of the musicians would be proselytizing during the event – something that didn’t seem to bother the artists at 2005’s festival.

“We’re not allowed to evangelize but we were allowed to make connections, make friends, and share Christ that way,” Friendship 2005 performer Joy Williams told Christianity Today.

Musical acts scheduled to perform at this year’s festival include award-winning southern gospel group The Crabb Family, pop princess Jaci Velasquez, rapper KJ-52, American Idol finalist George Huff, Canadian rock quartet downhere, and seasoned veterans Audio Adrenaline, who will make an appearance at Friendship as a part of their farewell tour.

For more information, go to www.friendshipfest.com.

ROCK SHOW WILL FEATURE CHRISTIAN MUSIC, FAMILY ATMOSPHERE

Kristen Long organized a show featuring six bands that will play at Edgemere Church of God on Saturday. photo by Roland Dorsey
Concert will be at Edgemere Church of God

by Michelle Ruddle

For a 19-year-old, Kristen Long’s résumé is looking pretty good.

The energetic Sparrows Point High School graduate has organized a concert, At the Rock Show, featuring six Christian rock bands that will play at Edgemere Church of God this Saturday.

Music buff Long launched her job as a concert promoter two years ago, when she organized a similar show at Sparrows Point High School. The then-senior and a friend nabbed nine bands and brought in more than 190 people to that show.

From there, Simple Underground Productions was born and Long set off to bring Christian music to the masses.

“I’m just trying to get good Christian bands out there,” she said. “It’s not the typical gospel music.”

Long, who has been a member of the Edgemere church for about eight years and is active in the youth group there, also serves as manager for Fairgreen, a local band that will be playing Saturday.

The show is co-sponsored by Come Thirsty Café, a monthly meeting of college and high school students at the church. Long also helps to book bands there.

Though this show is “not a secular concert,” Long said, she’s hoping to see a diverse crowd come out.

“It is a Christian concert,” she said, “but we don’t want to draw just one type of crowd. We want to draw all types of people. Church isn’t just for one kind of person.”

Though she’s a drummer too, Long said she prefers to stay behind the scenes.

“I feel like there are people who are meant to be in bands and on stage,” she said. “I’m too shy.”

She may not be on stage, but Long puts in time photographing bands, handing out fliers and recruiting help to spread the word.

On top of that, Long is a student at CCBC Dundalk and has her sights set on Towson University in the future. She’s hoping to study mass communications and stick with her current career path.

Along the way, Long has learned much about the gentle art of music management. For the Sparrows Point show, she said, she negotiated with bands and scraped up money so they can afford to play.

“Some of them just need money for gas to get home,” she said. “It’s just a way to say thank you.”

In addition to locals Fairgreen, At the Rock Show will feature Tympanic, Stones Overturned, Engrafted, To The Curb and Living For Today.

The bands, she said, have “an amazing energy,” and she’s hoping that will bring in at least 200 people.

Long sees concerts like this as an important addition to the community.

“I just think it’s needed for kids to not be on the streets,” she said. “This is a family atmosphere.”