An Interesting Thing Is Happening on the Way to the Empty Tomb
by Debra Shelton
"I've thought a lot about Christ on the cross, but never about the people who were there who loved Him. By seeing it through Mary's eyes, I feel I can't help but love Him more. If I were there, I don't know how I could have felt any differently."
Evelyn, Palm Springs
For about a year now, our Artist Associate, Tonya Nichols, has been performing under the wing of David Shelton Ministries. Whether giving her riveting portrayal of the Woman at the Well in "Could This Be The Messiah?," sharing her testimony of being in New York City during 9/11, or presenting her gripping Mary Magdalene in "No More Darkness," we've noticed a consistent and a bit of an unexpected reaction: she's making men cry all over the Northwest!
Since Tonya's been performing for mixed audiences, we hadn't given it much thought until recently when although many women have come up and thanked her for the performance, we've noticed many men reaching for kleenex, as well as sharing how God had spoken to them through the performance.
So, we queried a few trusted folks. A staff person at West Seattle Christian Church shared with Tonya that after enjoying "No More Darkness" first service on Easter Morning, she chose to observe the congregation while they watched Tonya. She mentioned noticing many men affected as well the women. An old school chum of Tonya's, and theatre buff himself, offered his opinion why this might be -
"Tonya, men relate to the truth, and you show them the Truth in a very emotional way." That thought caused me to ponder that by watching the Truth of the Gospel presented in a very realistic portrayal of someone who was there helps the audience members to connect their emotions with the Truth. One local pastor also shared his vision for renting the high school and having NMD be a regional outreach for students!
Contact us to schedule her for your church service or women's ministry event today!
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