Celebrating the Arts at Broadneck Baptist

All last week, dozens of local kids, from preschool through high school, worked together at to produce a musical message of hope and love.

Led by a dedicated group of church volunteers, students learned dramatic lines and musical numbers, and designed the set, all a part of an original musical production they performed on Sunday morning for the church’s congregation.

“This tradition dates back to the early '80s as one of our primary commitments has been to the children and families of the Cape community,” said Abby Thornton, pastor of Broadneck Baptist. “We see Music and Arts week as one of the primary gifts we can give back to our neighbors during the year as we encourage kids' creativity and nurture their spirits through music, drama, art, and story. “

Thornton said they had a lot of people with music and theater experience in the congregation, so doing a program where kids learn a musical drama rather than just a conventional Vacation Bible School is logical.

“It seems a natural fit for us, since the arts are something we are deeply invested in as a church community,” Thornton said.  

The effort is a very organic process, where church members usually write most of the drama and some of the music. 

“Last year, the entire program--including all of the music composition-was written by members of our church and premiered in our Sunday morning worship,” said Thornton. “We pulled music from several places this year to help tell the stories of ordinary kids in the Bible who God called to do extraordinary things, but wove these songs together with an originally written drama to create ‘Yes We Can!’ the musical the kids shared on Sunday morning.”

Thornton said she and the other members are very passionate about this program, something she hopes inspires the children who participated.

“I've never really seen anything quite like it at another church, and it's a week that really makes my summer as a pastor and as someone who loves kids.”