Church Brings Biblical Story to Life in a Day
In a remarkable display of musical dedication and community spirit, the congregation at Carleton Rode Baptist Church in South Norfolk recently accomplished what many might consider impossible: learning and performing an entire Christian musical in just one day. On November 1st, approximately 40 people gathered at the church to tackle “Zac,” the latest musical from renowned composer Roger Jones of Christian Music Ministries. This ambitious project brought together choir members and musicians from various churches and communities across South Norfolk, uniting them through music and faith.
Roger Jones has been composing Christian musicals since 1976 when he created “Jerusalem Joy” for his primary school students. Over the decades, his creative output has grown to include 25 distinct musicals, each one exploring different biblical stories and messages. His compositions have become beloved within Christian communities for their ability to present gospel teachings in accessible, engaging formats that resonate with both performers and audiences. Carleton Rode Baptist Church has embraced Jones’ work enthusiastically over the years, having produced several of his musicals and incorporated many of his songs into their worship services. The “musical in a day” approach, however, represented a new challenge for the congregation.
The intensive day of rehearsals began at 10 AM under the guidance of Annie Routley and Paul Edwards from the CMM team. Annie, who wrote the musical arrangement for “Zac,” led the choir of 30 through the songs while Paul managed the schedule and provided encouragement. The musical ensemble featured an impressive variety of instruments: three guitars, three violins, piano, drums, flute, and oboe. Some participants had familiarized themselves with the music beforehand – choir members had sung along with the CD during a preliminary meeting the previous week, and instrumentalists had received their sheet music in advance – but bringing everything together in a cohesive performance remained a daunting task. Throughout the day, the church’s coffee shop staff provided refreshments and lunch, supporting the performers as they worked diligently to master the music and understand the narrative flow of the production.
The musical “Zac” tells the well-known biblical story of Zacchaeus, a short-statured tax collector who climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passed through Jericho. In the biblical account, Jesus notices Zacchaeus, calls him down, and announces his intention to visit Zacchaeus’s home – a gesture that transforms the tax collector’s life. Through Jones’ composition, this simple story expands into a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation. As Beryl Dawson from the church explained, “The message of this musical is the same for us today – Jesus calls us to come down from whatever tree we are hiding in, to meet with him and walk alongside him day by day.” The day’s rehearsals weren’t merely about learning notes and lyrics; they were about internalizing this message and preparing to convey its emotional and spiritual significance to an audience.
At 4:30 PM, after just six and a half hours of rehearsal, the doors opened to welcome approximately 50 audience members for the performance. Despite the incredibly compressed preparation time, the cast delivered a moving rendition of “Zac,” blending humor and poignancy to tell this transformative story. The event received an unexpected highlight when Roger Jones himself made a surprise appearance, stepping in to read one of the narrator parts – a delightful moment for both performers and audience members. The musical combines completely original compositions with familiar religious texts set to new melodies, creating an accessible yet fresh musical experience. The performance succeeded not only as entertainment but as a powerful vehicle for spiritual reflection, challenging listeners to consider how Jesus’ message might apply to their own lives today.
The “musical in a day” experiment at Carleton Rode Baptist Church stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when a community unites around a shared purpose. For the participants, the day offered more than just musical education; it provided an opportunity to forge connections with fellow believers, share personal stories, and experience collective joy in creation. As Beryl Dawson enthusiastically recommended, “If you get the chance to be part of one of Roger’s musicals, do give it a go… you will be sure to come away with the words singing in your heart. But most of all, you will be challenged to consider anew the message Jesus has for you in your life today!” In an age often characterized by division and isolation, this South Norfolk church demonstrated how music, faith, and collaboration can bring people together in meaningful ways, creating something beautiful that resonates far beyond a single day’s performance.
