Welcome to Weekend Focus, a production of iHeart Media and in the studio, it's that time of year. The tradition continues. Jeannie Wyckoff is here for He's Alive 2020, which will be here at the Capital Theater. Jeannie nice to have you here.
Well, thank you so much. It's good to be here. And we have a guest. Yes, we do.
Mr. Bob Wolfe is with me today. And it's always good to have Bob here with us. He's involved with not only our ministry, but a number of his own ministry outreach programs.
So part of the trio that's popular here in the Valley, and their name is? Oh, Ron Rancertrion. Of course. Exactly.
Jennifer Galonia, who is also part of that trio, is part of our He's Alive family. She portrays the role of Mary Magdalene, Bob portrays the role of Peter, and along with the cast of, wow, nearly 200 in the cast. My goodness. Now, humble beginnings for He's Alive.
Yes, indeed. And you are familiar with that, Kent, because you were with us from the very beginning. Twenty-five years ago when this was burst, it was Pastor Robin Crouch and his wife, Becky, who are now both retired from the ministry and live in Charleston. And they may come back and visit us.
Becky called the other day, but that was twenty-five years ago. And Kent, you remember, we had, I think, a total of 30 people in the entire presentation at the First Baptist Church there on National Road in Wheeling. So God has certainly blessed this ministry. We have a cast and crew now of close to 300.
Whenever you add all of the ushers and greeters and biblical boutique people and stage crew and designers, it's an amazing ministry. Now, I've never asked you this question after 25 years. What gave you the idea to start this? You know, it was interesting because Becky, I mentioned Becky Crouch, she and I had become such good friends as well as sisters in Christ there at the First Baptist Church and had been blessed to work together on a number of different musical, and they were just concerts if you were.
They were church programs. The adult choir was always active with Becky at the helm, our youth group, our teenage group, and our children's program. And we had just finished Christmas in 1995. And I'll never forget, she was the day after Christmas and she called and she said, she have a really crazy idea.
She said, I think we need to do a passion play. And she said, are you up to that? And I said, of course I am. And she said, have you ever directed a passion play?
I said, well, no, I haven't. I said, have you ever done the music for a passion play? And she said, no. I said, well, then all the more reason to do it.
And that's really how it started. So Easter of 1996, 25 years ago, oh my goodness. That was the very first time. And it was actually, he's alive, the name of this musical, which is Claire Klominger and Gary Rhodes.
They actually had composed it and put it together. And it was released, ran new, for that Easter 1996 season. And so over these last 25 years, we've simply still used the body of that musical, adding to and expanding on their musical. Still entitled, he's alive.
Now, Bob, how long have you been in the? What's this make, 12 years for me? I think 12. I think the first year you came to the Capitol was when I joined.
And I don't know what role you had me in, but I was strong armed. I was strong armed, but I was saying, I made those genie, strong armed. No, we encourage people. Can't know that Kent had.
We've encouraged Kent to stay with us all through the years. And he has to all of his talents. Yeah, I had to barter for this. I had a role in our state associate churches and my role was up my stint.
And I needed to to approve or pass the baton, so to speak, to a female in the association. And I thought, who loud, no, who better to facilitate this. The genie and when I asked her to take my post, she said only if you'll join, he's alive. Yeah, we don't need it.
See a little bit of negotiation, doing a little more drama like I said. I think since then we've had about every role, but Mary Magdalene. That's exactly right. Every year he does want to audition for the Mary Magdalene.
And I said, no, just answer your opinion. No, Bob has been an angel. He's been Lazarus. He's been Peter.
He's been a disciple. So it's yeah, he's very versatile. You know, God brings us certain characters who are versatile and who are characters. Angela, that remark.
And your role this year is Peter. Peter, yeah, this is make five or six years. I think this is, yeah, this is number six. Okay.
It's a role until you step on stage with it. And you realize at that moment playing that role that just about every one of us goes through that role in our lives, denying Christ in some way. And there you are, whether you're emotionally to yourself, exposed or exposed to the public like Peter is in that scene, you kind of realization that I have failed. And very emotional scene with Peter.
And I'm tickled to do it, so to speak, but I'm also blessed. And it's a responsibility that I need to portray it properly. Several years ago, we enlarged, if you will, the character of Peter by placing into the musical a song entitled, I Did Not Know The Man. And I think the first year we did that, I think that's when our brother in Christ, Barry Boman, was portraying the role of Peter.
And because we wanted people to realize that Peter, the man, the rock, if you will, as described and named by Christ himself, was still a mere man. And when he denied his Christ three times before that crow or before the rooster crowed, you know, it's amazing. So after the denial scene, it was just an easy segue into the song, I Did Not Know The Man. And Bob just makes that so real.
And so we appreciate that. As I said, we used it first of all when Barry was portraying the role in Barry Boman, God bless Barry and Brenda, such beautiful saints and brothers and sisters in Christ here, still involved with the ministry, not necessarily portraying a role, but still supporting and faithfully praying for the ministry. He just pulled the role so well, that song. And then I think Rick, Rick Headley may have been the next Peter.
I can't remember. Every year there are changes to a certain degree. Can't we never change storyline? Can't beat this storyline.
It's awesome. But by changing personalities, changing characters, our fishermen this year, we have we've added a new young brother as in the role of, let's see, he's James, isn't he? He's a big game. Yeah, JD Carpenter.
And so when you change the people, if you will, not only their talent makes a difference in the group, but their first dynamic. Every role. Exactly. And we're adding a new scene this year.
It involves the evil and crazed, Herod, King Herod, and Peter Lem, who has been with us for a long, long time to, God bless Peter. He's so faithful to this ministry. And he does a lot of theater. So he brings an additional dimension or dynamic to this particular role.
But that, because part of the reason I believe God has had his hand of favor upon this ministry all these years can't is to educate as well. And a lot of people still believe that the wise men were at the manger. Well, the wise men were the magi were not at the manger. And by the time they got there, the young Jesus was probably two years old.
And the star was leading them to the manger. But they weren't there the night of Christ's birth. So this song, the additional element, is to educate the public. And also to let people know that King Herod, you know, that old devil was out to destroy Christ, even as a baby in that manger.
And so Herod, of course, demanded that all the baby boys to or under be killed because he did not want his throne to be compromised in any fashion. So we build that in as well. So it's a good addition. It's a good education.
We're talking to Gene Wyckoff and Bob Wolf from He's Alive. It'll be here at the Capitol Theater, April 3, 4, and 5. That's Palm Sunday weekend. And you have Friday and Saturday night performances, 730.
And a Palm Sunday matinee at 330, free admission. Free. It is free. And in all these years, God has been so gracious to us.
Whether it's He's Alive, He's Alive is our only live musical theater piece that we do. We do a number of other concerts that God opens up doors for. Patriotic concerts, praise and worship concerts. But in all of these years, we have never, ever had a ticket event.
It has all been by love offerings. And our budget for He's Alive is over $30,000. And you know, God pays every dime of that with love offerings. So it is free.
The doors open an hour before each performance. So for instance, Friday and Saturday, the performances begin at 730. Doors open at 630. And then Palm Sunday afternoon, which is April the 5th, the doors will open at 230 with the performance beginning right at 330.
Now when you have 250 people in the cast and crew, how do you manage that? Like a rallying cat. I personally, I think by now, everybody knows Genes demeanor, that's funny or not. But they also know her passion and desire to keep things even killed and keep things organized.
And I think by now, too, everybody's desire is to run smooth. And I think there's a cloud of conformity every time we get together to keep things smooth. We do. We have an absolutely beautiful family that comes together, Kent.
And there's a lot of laughter. There's a lot of joy. But when it comes right down to the actual ministry of he's alive, everyone realizes that no one is more important than the other. Everyone is special, but none special.
And chaos is not a part of our God and his plan. So the order comes because we have an awesome God that we're serving, and we all know that it's his ministry. It's not mine. It's not Bob's.
It's not any member of the board. It's God's. That's the message right there. And I always like watching me work here.
So I get to see what's going on in the Capitol Theater. I like watching you with the mic in the audience. I mean, I love it. It's like watching Oprah Winfrey's right to symphony.
I told you there was a person out there that enjoyed that. And here it is. All this time. Well, I have all these things.
That's because I sat behind the sounds, you know what I mean? Like I sat behind the board. So that's exactly right. But yeah.
And I did not say why and why. And I did not pay Kent to say that. He knows I love him, but yeah. It really is.
It's a wonderful team. It's a wonderful family coming together. And just to share with others the love of Jesus Christ. And it's free, Kent.
It's free. Not only is this ministry event free, but that gift of salvation that Jesus Christ offers to each and every one of us. It's free. Right.
So people, you guys start the next he's alive. What? It's like the day after this one. Well, about the day after I pay the bills.
And she breathes again. Yes. OK. That's true.
April three, four, and five. And it's rapidly approaching Kent. And we're excited. It's we're anxious somewhat.
But we're excited. Now, how do you get people involved? That's the one other thing. Strong arm, like I said.
Oh, yeah. But I mean, it's grown so big that how did you? She has a lot of dirt on people. And she wields that.
Like, no. No. I think it's awesome. Most of us, I think people that come to the show and see this passion plate and people that know the heart and minds of desires and people that are in the cast, it spills over.
I mean, people come to genie, say, can I do it? I was just going to say, is that happen? You don't have to ask. Right.
She begs sometimes. You know, she never asked anybody really because they she may ask certain people to do certain things or portray certain things. But I don't think you're ever going to have a problem as long as God's over this thing. You never have a problem with filling that cast.
Sometimes I think you're going to email her tail back sometimes because it's going to be more on stage in the audience. But, you know, well, one of the most beautiful stories, Kent, is we have a young man this year who is portraying one of Jesus's, the 12 year old Jesus, one of his young friends. His name is Sam Lewis. And he is a precious young boy.
And years ago, let's see, Sam's probably, what, nine or 10? And, but several years ago, when his daddy, Brian, and his mommy, Jen, brought Sam and his siblings to see he's alive, they came on a time when there were no seats at all down on the lower level. They had to sit up in the balcony. And young Sam, I think Grandma Paula Lewis tells us that he was only four or five years old.
But at the end of the ministry event, at the end of the musical, we always, we are so blessed. We give an opportunity for people to come to the altar if they want to come. And the year, of course, is our big cross. And it's on the center of the stage.
And young Sam, when the offer, when the invitation to come to the cross just to pray, was given, he jumped up out of his daddy's lap and he said, I want to go to the altar. I want to go to the cross. So they made their way down from the balcony, went up the, you know, the center of the, of the theater, up that center ramp. And young Sam knelt at the cross.
And that young Sam has been with us every year since. And this year, he's portraying one of the friends of young 12 year old Jesus. Next year, he tells me he wants to be the young 12 year old Jesus. And who knows, maybe one day he'll be the 33 years.
I was going to say, I mean, he got the dark hair. He's got the dark hair. And this is like first role. Sam's first role.
He was in the children's scene right with Jesus. And so, and he's not necessarily a singer. So he never wanted to try out, if you will, for the child's soloist. Because that's a precious scene with Jesus and the children at center stage.
But I just, I think that's amazing. Because when you stop and think there is no age too young or too old to come to know the living Christ. And this is a little boy. And God bless his parents.
And God bless his grandparents. Pastor Larry and Paula Lewis have been a part of this ministry. Since 1996, they were with us at the very first presentation of his life at the Baptist Church. And they've been faithful to have their, not only their own children, but their grandchildren now, another generation, knowing personally the living Lord.
So when you ask how people come to us, oftentimes it's because they're simply being obedient. They've come into the theater. They've seen the musical. They've felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.
And they want to be a part of that. So it doesn't really, it's encouraging to, but it's not strong-arming. So they're, I don't know. They look at your feet.
Well, but they, actually the strong-arm is the one around them when they come. Exactly. And they do, whether it's physical or emotional, they feel embraced by everybody in the cast. Yes.
No matter where they're from, no matter what job they have or student, like I said the other day, student or steam fitter, plumber or preacher, they're all, you know, that's Christianity. And God has always been an automating factor. An equalizing factor. Everybody comes into that place equal.
We've oftentimes said it's amazing how God choreographs all the different ages and sizes and shapes and professions and personalities into one big family, giving praise to the King of Kings. He's alive, folks. Another year, it'll be here at the Capitol Theater April 3rd, 4th and 5th. That's Palm Sunday weekend.
Free admission, no reservations either. No, no, it's festival. It's festival scene. So we have people who stand in line.
I have reservations, but I'm coming in. I just set that up for you. There you go. Friday and Saturday.
Friday and Saturday. The phone number, I think, down at the arena, we use their phone number, West Bank Arena, the box office is 304-233-4470. Although they're welcome to give me a call, too. That's a 724-883-2241.
So don't repeat that. Yeah. 724-883-2241 is my number, but the box office is 304-233-4470. And you can get all the information.
We have a website, too, and a Facebook page. Our administrator, Ms. Windy, does a great job on our Facebook. And that's under heaven.
I'm not necessarily a social media person. I'm just not illiterate, if you will, when it comes to that. But, you know, that's what a way to spread the invitation, if you will. And that's under heavenbound and he's alive.
And then our website, Stevie Fenson Walker, does our website for us. And that's heavenboundministriesinc, which is INC.org. OK. So you can get all the information about what all heavenbound ministries does.
It's not just he's alive, like you're saying. Right. Exactly. In fact, we, at the end of May, we're already scheduled for National Pike days.
We've been invited to present in scenery hill the Sunday morning worship service. Right there on the streets of that precious, pleasant little town. I love scenery hill. I'm sorry.
It's a little church there. You can see everything. From sea, that's why they call it scenery hill. Exactly.
So you have that in the works. I know you've done a lot of things because I know I've worked with you in several different things that heavenbound ministries does. And how was that expanded? Because I know that it was what?
Five or six singers and a bunch of microphones and speakers. Now, that's a little different. Well, I can remember years ago when Kent was with us when it was just Brenda and Doris and May, and we were heavenbound, just the ladies trio. And I remember we did something at the White Palace.
Oh, I think it was an ARP meeting or something. You did the sound for our concert there. But yes, our concerts now, depending upon the venue and depending upon the event itself, can include anywhere from 60 singers to 25. So in fact, we've got to open a tremendous number of, from August 15th last year through December 31st, we did a New Year's Eve praise and communion service.
We had never done before last year. But we had seven different concerts from the time. And these are all volunteers at Kent. None of us are professional singers and professional actors, nothing like that.
We just love serving the Lord and whoever is available. We do praise and worship concerts, our Veterans concert. We will be at the Presbyterian, the Emmanuel United Presbyterian Church again this year over Veterans Day and had a full house last year in that precious church. I did that with about, I think, 45 singers.
So it's whatever door God opens for us because it's always Christian music. It's always music that lifts our Savior. Now last year, you actually did a preview. I guess you could call it a preview of He's Alive at the Washington Crown Center.
Yes. Anything that works for that this year? Well, it's simple. And what a blessing she has become to this ministry.
Did invite us there. But with everything else going on, we could not put that into our schedule this year. But right last year, we were there and how warm of a reception we received there. That was a promo.
That was a very unique preview. I like that. Once again, He's Alive, Capital Theater, Palm Sunday, Weekend April 3rd, 4th and 5th, the Friday and Saturday night shows, 730. And the performance on Palm Sunday is at 8.
It is indeed. Door's open an hour before. And for admission, it comes early as you can. It's basically the best thing about it.
Yes. And I might mention a number of people ask if there's an intermission. There is not an intermission. It's about an hour and 19 minutes of music.
The concession stand is open before we begin. But as soon as the musical begins, then they shut the concession stand down. This is not one of those popcorn peanut kind of shows. No, it's not.
And there's a lot of participation within the audience too. Exactly. Our cast is busy in between. You know, well, they're just busy in the theater all the time.
We're very close to our audience. Right. In the aisles, basically. Exactly.
I'm looking at Bob because actually the fisherman, he is one of the fishermen because he's Peter. It's Peter, Andrew, James and John, are the singing disciples of the fishermen. And actually, they're on stage most of the time. You very seldom ever get to come down through some of the other just questions.
Just during the Christmas fiction. Do we leave? I'm going to be eating and all that. But everyone else, our good crowd, our bad crowd, we have an awesome scene.
It's called the pilot scene. That's actually the trial of Jesus. And boy, the whole theater comes alive then Kent because pilot is over in his box and we've got Pharisees, you know, and accusers are busy, you know, sort of inciting the crowd. So yeah.
I think it's I've heard of some people in the audience, I mean, the first time or second time, or even tenth time, that they've seen movies portraying this scene. They've read it in Scripture. They've read it in books. They hear it and see it on TV.
To be sitting there listening to pretty music and all of a sudden somebody screaming in their ear to crucify. It brings that more to life than watching it on the TV screen with professional actors. It's right in their face. And which the Scripture is, it's in your face.
This is how it was. Exactly. Excitement leading up to he's alive. How much prep do you have before?
Wow. Well, we always we start nine weeks out. Our rehearsals and God bless the Vineyard Church. Pastor Chris out there has been our host church for, well, gee, since 2014 for seven years.
And they are so gracious. They open up the entire church for us. We have the sanctuary where we we use. That's where Miss Brenda and Rick do all the choral work.
We have the big fellowship hall in the back. That's where the non singers and all the dramatists work. We have rooms for our children. We had rooms for our dancers.
So they just they're so gracious. They open their entire church and they believe in the outreach message of of he's alive. So we we start Sunday afternoons from two to four for nine weeks. This year we shortened it by one week and but eight weeks.
And so when you stop and think about this hour and nineteen minute musical coming together with just sixteen less than sixteen hours worth of work. It's it's amazing. And once again, it's God's and he confirms that by pulling it together and having an awesome presentation of the of the scriptures coming to life in his life over Palm Sunday weekend. Jeanne Wyckoff Bob Wolf.
Thanks for joining us on the weekend. Awesome show. This is my nogger weekend focus. I worked here what 30 years.
My ex wife did this did this every Sunday morning. It's only fitting though because you started with us. So many many years ago. So see God's has a way of just bringing it all together.
So it's heavenboundministriesink.org is the website Facebook page heavenbound and he's alive. And be watching the Facebook page because I love the truck loading thing. Yes. Every year.
You know the truck and the door door and after he's alive Palm Sunday weekend. Get all the details on their websites and their Facebook pages and I appreciate you guys coming in for weekend. Thank you. God bless you.