Christmas
NEW HOPE CHURCH
: by Tony DiCosta
Christ’s Theater
IN THE
Smokies
RESENTING THE Gospel extraordinary lengths to present a show shows in the area . . . it is definitely enter-
P
through theatrical productions of this caliber for free? Pastor Tom an- taining. What makes us unique is our pur-
at Christmas and Easter, hun- swers, “The Christmas season has a certain pose . . . and that is clearly presented
dreds of churches across Amer- disarming ‘irresistibility’ about it—the before the evening is done.”
ica morph from houses of wor- spirit of it transcends walls of resistance And it’s that purpose that ushers in
ship into theaters. New Hope Church in to the Gospel like no other time of the the show’s most memorable moments for
Kodak, Tennessee, can skip the transfor- year. There is no greater evangelistic Pastor Tom. “As we move through the
mation because their church already is a opportunity. We believe Christmas is sub- various acts to the point where the pre-
theater. No, not the cramped box you visit tle evangelism at its best!” Pastor Brenda sentation shifts more forthrightly to
to see the latest movie at your local multi- adds, “We have followed what we believe declaring the arrival of the Savior—that’s
plex . . . but a full-blown, Broadway-style to be a call to present the message of the moment for me, every night . . . every
center for the performing arts. year. It seems that the subjective incarna-
New Hope’s facility, purchased in tion of God’s presence enthroned on the
2005, was once the Lee Greenwood The- praises of His people in that room, in
ater, a standout venue in the entertain- those moments, creates a spiritual atmos-
ment-oriented Gatlinburg area, home to phere where those on the stage and
Dollywood and a myriad of high-caliber those in the audience seem to become
live shows. one before the potential of a baby in a
The Smoky Mountain Christmas Cele- manger. It’s worship evangelism . . .
bration is New Hope’s boldest outreach of happening,” the senior pastor states.
the year. In 2007 this widely acclaimed
Tom and
Tall, confident (and “omnipresent”
hit drew about 6,000 visitors to the
Brenda Sterbens
during the show’s preparation) Pastor
church’s 1,600-seat sanctuary over the Brenda, nevertheless, credits her husband
course of four shows, eclipsing the aver- Christ through the arts, with an under- for the vision that makes it possible.
age Sunday attendance of about 750. standing that worship is the foundation “Tom is my husband and my pastor. We
The scale of this cleverly disguised of all we do.” serve together in ministry, and even
Gospel presentation is staggering: A cast Nothing is hit-or-miss about this out- though I am a pastor, we are not copas-
of over 150 performers donning 300 reach, Pastor Brenda points out. “Our tors. I believe the senior pastor has to
handcrafted costumes, live animals Christmas Celebration is definitively tar- have a vision for “worship and the arts”
(including a free-flying bald eagle), song, geted to reach the unchurched. As a and see the big picture. Tom is a vision-
drama, and dance, plus pyrotechnics and result, it is strategically planned to initial- ary! He is a great thinker, teacher and
professional theater lighting and sound ly disarm the audience with familiar and communicator. This Christmas Celebra-
keep New Hope’s guests spellbound from fun entertainment at the beginning of the tion is only a part of his vision for “wor-
beginning to end. show. This disarming opens up people’s ship and the arts.” I am a good nuts-and-
What drives Pastors Tom and Brenda hearts to receive the message of Christ as bolts person—seeing how it all fits togeth-
Sterbens, the husband-and-wife team we present the joy and purpose of Christ- er and what it takes. Our strengths com-
shepherding New Hope, to go to these mas throughout the evening. Like the plement one another. He believes in me,
10 EVANGEL • DEC 2008
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