The Faith Evangelical Free Church Children’s Choir presented a religious lesson on Friday in their performance of "Promise U-Precious Promises" to famous followers of the last 2000 years.

Monday, June 18, 2001

The Faith Evangelical Free Church Children’s Choir presented a religious lesson on Friday in their performance of "Promise U-Precious Promises" to famous followers of the last 2000 years.

The choir chronicled the lives of those individuals who followed God’s word, including Paul the Apostle, Martin Luther, Pocahontas, Harriet Tubman and Gladys Aylward.

Set at Promise U, the musical sets to help the university’s students learn this history, especially Stan the Man, who doesn’t seem to believe in God’s word, just in time for the "big exam." Student DJs Stan the Man and Valerie Dictorian, played by Connor Williams and Lauren Binkley, got the Promise U students pumped up at a spirit rally where Promise U students, including Marvelous Marty the body builder (Corey Anderson), Bubba Spielburger (Nate Miller) and Doremi Fasolati (Sara Larson), told their classmates about the ways these various historical figures followed God’s path.

Martin Luther, they explained, encouraged people to study the Bible and was one of the most important people of the 15th century. Professor Juan Zaponatime (Steven Edwards) roused the Promise U students with his story on Pocahontas to the sounds of "I Am With You." Zaponatime explained that Pocahontas could become God’s daughter.

"God is with you, I am never alone," he told the students.

Harriet Tubman, the woman who led slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad, also was mentioned. Called the "Moses of her people," Tubman trusted God to lead her hands.

The choir also sung of the lives of Gladys Aylward (Riley Powell) and the Wesley brothers (Aaron Hansen and Micah Strobel). Alyward, a missionary in China, led 100 orphans over the mountains to safety. The Wesley brothers, ministers to teen-agers, understood God’s forgiveness, preaching sermons and singing hymns of praise. Promise U’s director of drama, Carolyn Miller, explained that the church presents these musicals every year as part of their drama camp. They have been going on for about five years, and have received a positive response.

"They’ve been well-received," Miller said. "We had the most kids participating this year. There were over 60 kids, from the church and from area neighborhoods. It’s open to the community."

Lorene Strobel, director of music, called the Faith Evangelical children’s choir an outgrowth opportunity for the children who can’t make choir practices during the school year a chance to participate.

"It’s a very special musical," Strobel said. "The kids learn music, acting and also about the famous followers."

It’s also a lot of hard work for the children, some who are as young as kindergarten, she explained.

"They had to study verses and the church also supported a missionary family," Strobel said. "I’m real proud and amazed by their potential. I’m amazed how God can use children to share his word." Parents who had been to the musicals in the past were impressed by the children’s performances.

"The kids were all real excited about the performance," Kevin Driessen of Blooming Prairie said. "They were smiling and enthusiastic throughout the whole thing."

Kari Swigerd of Austin agreed, complimenting Strobel’s guidance. "It’s always great," Swigerd said, "Lorraine does an awesome job with the kids."

Swigerd said she would like to see a sporting event or fair for next year’s performance, saying that the music is always wonderful. Even the children themselves were excited. For nine-year-old Kelcie Driessen, it was a chance to showcase normally hidden musical talents.

"I really like music and singing," Driessen said, "but I don’t usually sing with other people, except in church."

Call Melissa Bregani at 434-2236 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.