Night of the Inferno (Play Review)
By Terrence Clark
It was a packed auditorium, in Camden NJ. The Creative Arts Academy on Morgan Boulevard holds about 400 people. The crowd was from all over, traveling to the NJ city to participate as producer, performer, or patron.
Ed Steed’s play The Night of the Inferno was originally a screenplay converted to play script debuting publically on the smaller stage. The theme was somewhat generic for a gospel centered production (and that not a negative). It was the story of a life gone bad, backsliders, near-death encounters, rebellion, and reunion. The hero, as always, unseen in character on stage, or audience—God assuming the reward winning role as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The director's style was a series of twenty-four short scenes----dropped into three Acts. Pastor Ed disclosed later that he thought there were some hiccups in the performance in reference to stage, timing, and other things. He thought the audience may have missed them, but as both writer and director, the former federal investigator knew. |
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But you wouldn’t have known from the audience responses after each scene--hearty applause followed. The award for best supporting actor [in my opinion] in most Christian performances goes to the off-stage cast---the audience. Christian movies and plays are like a Sunday morning testimony. Even stuttering in the delivery doesn’t hinder the believers from being drawn in.
Ooohs, aahs, and hallelujahs echo through darkened rooms as the audience critique, not the actors, but the actions of the antagonist, protagonist, and supporting cast as they portray redemption, reconciliation, and revival.
In an anointed Christian performance the Holy Spirit sets and maintains the atmosphere. Although, anointing doesn’t dismiss the need for excellence in performance, but helps the preacher-writer tell the story.
Ooohs, aahs, and hallelujahs echo through darkened rooms as the audience critique, not the actors, but the actions of the antagonist, protagonist, and supporting cast as they portray redemption, reconciliation, and revival.
In an anointed Christian performance the Holy Spirit sets and maintains the atmosphere. Although, anointing doesn’t dismiss the need for excellence in performance, but helps the preacher-writer tell the story.
Excerpted from the playbook the story is summarized----
Luisa Santiago is a troubled young woman feeling abandon by everyone in her life except her faithful mother, whom she angrily rejects. Lu’s Aunt CC with whom she once enjoyed a close relationship, seems to have developed deep-rooted troubles of her own and the two of them have become estranged. On one fateful evening, Lu heads out to a hot night spot and reunites with her long lost friend. It starts out well, but eventually, the two young women find themselves trapped in a horrible nightmare on the wrong side of town and it seems they have no hope of escape. A series of haunting characters and troubling circumstances ruin the good times these young ladies were about to enjoy. But through it all, the hand of God, moving with stealth, prevails and causes a great reunion to occur. Sadly, not everyone will be able to enjoy it. |
Nancy Salgado-Cowan--Piscataway NJ is Ed Steed’s sister-in-law says the family didn’t get any previews. The September show, in detail, was a surprise. She thought it was excellent. The highlight says Nancy, “was the young girl who was in the car with her best friend and she realizes that she’s halfway between heaven and hell, life and death.
Robyn Johnson from Camden found out about the play through friends. She thought it was pretty good for a first production. “There were first show jitters kind of things, said Robyn, but the content I really loved it. I got the message.”
She said the message to her. “This is your chance to have a second chance or otherwise The Inferno is where you’re going to end up.”
Robyn who divulged she was over twenty, declared her personal relationship with the Lord. She believes the play could be used as a witnessing tool. She said, “You got to use other methods than the pulpit to reach another generation.”
Josiah Johnson was behind the stage in production on the lighting team. His job---the stage light effects, the house light, the timing, scene transactions. He helped make sure the accident scene was executed correctly.
Robyn Johnson from Camden found out about the play through friends. She thought it was pretty good for a first production. “There were first show jitters kind of things, said Robyn, but the content I really loved it. I got the message.”
She said the message to her. “This is your chance to have a second chance or otherwise The Inferno is where you’re going to end up.”
Robyn who divulged she was over twenty, declared her personal relationship with the Lord. She believes the play could be used as a witnessing tool. She said, “You got to use other methods than the pulpit to reach another generation.”
Josiah Johnson was behind the stage in production on the lighting team. His job---the stage light effects, the house light, the timing, scene transactions. He helped make sure the accident scene was executed correctly.
Not new to stage production, he added to the level of help needed to bring the Inferno to stage. “I’ve done production in many fields such as music, graphics, video visual, and marketing & promoting,” acknowledged Josiah. “There’s not too much I don’t do when it comes to theatre, music, and entertainment.”
He thought the play had a beautiful turnout and everybody did a great job. He’s looking forward for the next one. “I don’t usually come out to things like this,” disclosed Terrell Johnson, twenty-nine, “but I enjoyed it.” |
He’s a member of the hosting church where they have been talking about it for a while. He had the opportunity, to come, so he came. His highlight, “When she was in the hospital because that’s when you found out that she was pretty much in a coma. She was reviewing everything she just went through and stuff in her past.”
Maria Green, seventeen, from Pennsylvania, offered a teenage perspective. “It was really, really entertaining. It really touched me. The music was good. The acting was good.” Her highlight was when one of the main characters (Aunt CC –Pastor Kim) sang---gospel, noting how the artist hit the high notes perfectly. She’s saved but believed if she wasn’t the presentation would have moved her to salvation. |
Rev. Louis Collier, Newark NJ, use to be a co-worker of the director at the Post Office. ”His dad used to live in my parents’ house, so we’re neighborhood from way back.” He thought the play was awesome. He would tell others to see it. His highlight was at the end, after the accident, when the singer comes to sing, after she turns her life back over to Christ. As a pastor, he believed that the NOTL and plays like it were good for witnessing. He says, “In today’s time we have to change our methodology. This was an excellent tool for winning souls to Christ.
Sandra Haynes also from Newark traveled with a cousin and a couple of friends to Camden two hours away. She thought the play was awesome, and an effective tool for leading people to the Lord? Her favorite part was CC giving her life back to Christ. She can relate. “I been out there, said Sandra. I’ve done some crazy things… been on drugs. God has delivered me. It’s been over twenty years now that I’ve been clean.
“I played the bouncer. I also played the police officer, said Kylil Lassiter. He attends Living Faith Christian Center in nearby Pennsauken. He was referred to Pastor Ed by one of the members of my church. He’s been acting for a few years now. He thought his role in this play was appropriate and effective. He’s looking forward to more roles. He also believes the whole play was effective and could be something big in the future, including impacting the masses.
Jiana Lassiter, 9 listen intently as her father was being interviewed. She thought the play was good. Her best part was her dad’s role as the police officer. [I thought that was a good answer.] She was going to tell her friends. She shared her love for Jesus
Juliana, age 7, stood next to her sister. She thought the play was amazing. She said she can act---a little bit, but doesn’t see herself acting in a play as big as the Inferno. She does loves telling people about Jesus.
Leah Robinson 70 continues to diversify her ministry. She just launched a new ministry about a month earlier. Tonight she was part of the cast, playing two parts---a nightclub employee (a floozy and a flirt). The second part a surgeon. It was a big difference of characters but the minister said she had a lot of fun. “It was done to the glory and honor of Jesus Christ,” said Leah.
Sandra Haynes also from Newark traveled with a cousin and a couple of friends to Camden two hours away. She thought the play was awesome, and an effective tool for leading people to the Lord? Her favorite part was CC giving her life back to Christ. She can relate. “I been out there, said Sandra. I’ve done some crazy things… been on drugs. God has delivered me. It’s been over twenty years now that I’ve been clean.
“I played the bouncer. I also played the police officer, said Kylil Lassiter. He attends Living Faith Christian Center in nearby Pennsauken. He was referred to Pastor Ed by one of the members of my church. He’s been acting for a few years now. He thought his role in this play was appropriate and effective. He’s looking forward to more roles. He also believes the whole play was effective and could be something big in the future, including impacting the masses.
Jiana Lassiter, 9 listen intently as her father was being interviewed. She thought the play was good. Her best part was her dad’s role as the police officer. [I thought that was a good answer.] She was going to tell her friends. She shared her love for Jesus
Juliana, age 7, stood next to her sister. She thought the play was amazing. She said she can act---a little bit, but doesn’t see herself acting in a play as big as the Inferno. She does loves telling people about Jesus.
Leah Robinson 70 continues to diversify her ministry. She just launched a new ministry about a month earlier. Tonight she was part of the cast, playing two parts---a nightclub employee (a floozy and a flirt). The second part a surgeon. It was a big difference of characters but the minister said she had a lot of fun. “It was done to the glory and honor of Jesus Christ,” said Leah.
She was brought in by a local minister Rev. Arnold Stewart her spiritual grandson. Having done many plays in the past, she says doing drama is both challenging and very fulfilling. “I believe, added Leah, this is just the beginning of my spiritual enterprise with drama.”
Tamara Stewart brought production help to the performance. She was not only the stage manager, set designer, co-director but singer, actress, songwriter and more. Cast at age 11 on a television special, her career is robust including gospel music---singer and musician, and multiple stage productions---acting and producing. She used to work with Stacy Proverbs, NOTI Production Assistant years ago, through whom she learned of the Inferno project. She met Pastor Steed and Dr. Dozier, NOTI Executive Administrator early in the year, sat down and collaborated.
With many performances to her name, Tamara thought the evening's production was very good and for a first show. “I thought it was very, very good. I was very proud of all of them. I saw the growth from rehearsals till now. They did a very good job.”
For her, the highlight was Pastor Kim’s song. “It was just beautiful. Every time I hear it, said Tamara, it makes me want to cry. It makes you feel God is in the place.”
Pastor Kim Williams’ church, Fresh Oil Worship Center, is also located in Pennsauken NJ on Westfield Avenue. Pastor Kim had a lead role. “It’s a long story,” she laughed, pointing to Arnold Stewart again as the conduit to connect with director Steed. Already working with his ministry Rev Stewart informed her of a pastor from North Jersey doing plays.
Tamara Stewart brought production help to the performance. She was not only the stage manager, set designer, co-director but singer, actress, songwriter and more. Cast at age 11 on a television special, her career is robust including gospel music---singer and musician, and multiple stage productions---acting and producing. She used to work with Stacy Proverbs, NOTI Production Assistant years ago, through whom she learned of the Inferno project. She met Pastor Steed and Dr. Dozier, NOTI Executive Administrator early in the year, sat down and collaborated.
With many performances to her name, Tamara thought the evening's production was very good and for a first show. “I thought it was very, very good. I was very proud of all of them. I saw the growth from rehearsals till now. They did a very good job.”
For her, the highlight was Pastor Kim’s song. “It was just beautiful. Every time I hear it, said Tamara, it makes me want to cry. It makes you feel God is in the place.”
Pastor Kim Williams’ church, Fresh Oil Worship Center, is also located in Pennsauken NJ on Westfield Avenue. Pastor Kim had a lead role. “It’s a long story,” she laughed, pointing to Arnold Stewart again as the conduit to connect with director Steed. Already working with his ministry Rev Stewart informed her of a pastor from North Jersey doing plays.
“When I was about ten or eleven years old, said Pastor Kim, I always wanted to be involved with plays. She has a production of her own rolling out in 2018. She went to NOTI audition to seek a director spot but left casted for her role of CC. “And the rest is history, she said.”
Pastor Kim says the plot resonates with her. She explains, “When we talk about generational curses in families, people dying before their time, getting caught up in addictions, and things like that---I understand it. I don’t think that there is a family that’s extinct from that. I can relate to it very well.
Many interviewed agreed Pastor Kim’s character song was a performance highlight. Of the dramatic stage, the Pastor has an album of her musical talent. Her night’s highlight was Luisa transformation. Reflecting that any time God transforms a life that was being destroyed is a highlight. She rededicated her life to the Lord after the accident as did my character CC.
Jay Dove one of the singing artist from Fully Loaded for Christ played a little entourage with the drug dealer. His group met Pastor Steed, through a big outreach event, who invited them to come and get affiliated with the play he wrote. After meeting for dinner, they joined the team.
Jay expressed the godly manhood aspect of the story relative to sharing the gospel. “We need more men to step out like that in faith and do what God called them to do. Anybody that’s doing that through the Holy Spirit, we tap into, because that’s what we do. We’re an outreach group. We go out and proclaim the gospel in the streets. We don’t just keep it in the church.” His group can be found on Facebook and YouTube by the name---Fully Loaded 4 Christ.
Nailah Harris is Pastor Ed’s daughter. She played the other lead role. Landed the role early during the editing process, before the screen version was sent Hollywood. Helping with the editing process and the adaption to stage her father already had his daughter in mind for the part. She yielded and accepted, although she and her husband had relocated to Virginia hours away from play and rehearsals.
The distance wasn’t Nailah only proof of commitment to the Inferno. “Firstly, said Nailah with her husband at her side, Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I connect with Luisa because I lost my mom when I was six, to breast cancer. Thankfully, I did not lose my dad. During a period in his life, he disconnected because of the loss of my mom. So in a sense, I kind of lost both my parents. During a period of my life, I went through other trials and tribulations. Luisa and I connect. I was also rebellious. I had that rebellious way about me. Maybe not as bad as Louisa. Still, it was easy to connect with her. But, God is good and that’s really what it comes down too.
Her highlight surprisingly was offstage. “It was the twelve-hour drive with my best friend---Yvonne Solomon, who played Joelle Perkins in the play. We had a lot of good times---a lot of joking craziness. It was all worth it. As a witnessing tool Nailah says NOTI expresses that no matter what you do, God is always going to give you grace and mercy. Still, you have to decide for yourself am I willing to go take that walk. When you make that decision you will never look back even when you try. Even if you go as far and you’ve can---the prodigal son moment. You will come back and God will receive you, with open arms. Its absolute ministry in and of itself.
Director Ed was still directing---clean up and after-party after the play was over. He shared as we walked from the VIP room back to the now dispersed people auditorium. His perspective, from behind the stage. “It was quite hectic. We had a lot of hiccups, but I think the audience didn’t catch all of those hiccups---maybe a couple. There was a lot of delays in between scenes. But, this is our first production. We believe the Lord has his hands on this production. We’re going to do many, many more to his glory and for his people.”
Ed said the draw from the diverse two city audience was because was due the subject. “When people heard the title, we sent out a summary of what the play was about. They found it intriguing. We do have a vast support network that stretches from the top to the bottom of the state. Some people came out because they just wanted to support us. Others because they were intrigued by the subject matter. The third group that came out was out of curiosity.
Noting the varied age group the pastor said. “This thing has shocked me so much. When we sent it out to Hollywood, we weren’t expecting anything. We just wanted feedback. But every time my wife and I looked on the board, our play was still there. Our script was still there. It was shocking. I’m shocked that the young people today, especially very young were intrigued by this thing. It’s kind of a more mature subject matter.
Both writer and director the pastor said the pervading theme and thought was redemption. People with difficulties in life finding redemption. The main character and her aunt---primarily find redemption. I can relate to some of those things. I wrote those characters, so I know.
Pastor Ed’s inspiration runs deep.
“I had a personal experience on April 24, 1991. I was suicidal. Alcohol had beat me down. I had a gun in my hand when the Lord came to visit with me. He spoke to me. He gave me a scripture that today is my favorite scripture---Psalms 27:1.
‘The Lord is my light and my salvation whom should I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life of whom should I be afraid.’
So I came out of that fearing nothing, being afraid of nothing, and leaning on the Lord. It was then, when he confirmed the calling of ministry that I received at a young age, but never responded to. It took my own Night of the Inferno to pull me out of it.” He also shared the irony that it was his real-life daughter, who in play acted out his experience through the character Luisa.
Pastor Steed hope for the NOTI audience is that those who are not saved, gospel seed was planted in them. He hopes they would see we’re in dangerous times. “We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. We want people to be saved. Those who are already saved, we want them to receive the confirmation of their salvation and to get right.” The director hopes to do more performances. His goal is to bless more people not necessary millions but to be a blessing.
To the Voice of One question of who Jesus is in his life Director, Pastor Ed Steed shares. “He’s my all and all---my Jesus Christ. He’s the one that reached down to me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me up. I should’ve lost my job in that situation. I was going to lose my life at my own hands. I was going to lose my job. When I came to the point, Jesus pulled me up. I don’t care about the job. Not only did I regain my job, I was eventually over the years elevated to a position of honor and authority. Only Jesus, only him, so I know him as my personal Lord and Savior for real.
Pastor Arnold Stewart name was dropped by many during the evening. He lives in Blackwood NJ. He pastored in Camden for seven years. He revealed it was after a three year period of deep depression, followed by deliverance, he left the pastorate and stepped out into field ministry. He now serves full time connected with Crusaders for Christ Evangelistic Center in Philadelphia, Pastor David Hill.
He and his wife were meeting pastor steed at his house when he shared the script with him. His wife, according to him was clowning around with a character she made called Sister Girl. Ed noted that the improv reminded him his character Joelle. Inquiry led to the exposure of the TNOTI. He asked Pastor Ed if he could bring the play to Camden. He shared his heart to develop a different type of outreach to the city.
“He expressed, most of these people aren’t coming to the church. The church has to come up with new innovative ways to reach out to the community, to reach out to the streets and bring the gospel to the people. Jesus came out of the synagogue and we went out into the hedges and the highways. He went into the mountains and valleys.”
Originally, said Pastor Arnold, the Inferno was going to be a fifteen-minute skit at a conference he was conducting. While he was preparing the skit, Ed fell, threw out his knee, and was bedridden for about a month. He thought this was God telling him not to do the skit. God spoke when he got still before him and said. “I don’t want you to do the skit. I want you to do the whole play.”
Pastor Arnold whose ministry is street focused said, “This is the first production. We’re trusting God for many, many more. I would like to see this one day become the Inferno Tour, where we go to different cities, make a full circle, and bring it right back here to Camden.”
Pastor Arnold believes the Inferno is an effective witnessing tool. “It meets us right where we are. We all have some type of situation that we're experiencing in our life. We need to make the Word of God relevant to our current day issues. A lot of times, when I was growing up, we talked about the bible stories. We saw characters but we didn’t understand how these stories applied to our everyday living. I believe that the arts are one of the final frontiers that we can utilize to bring the gospel to people who are really---I hate to say this---had enough of church. They really had enough of the traditional four walls.
We have an opportunity to become more creative in ways, to bring the gospel to the people, reaching them right where they are, letting them see how the Word of God is relevant for to today.”
He says the city of Camden needs it.
Pastor Kim says the plot resonates with her. She explains, “When we talk about generational curses in families, people dying before their time, getting caught up in addictions, and things like that---I understand it. I don’t think that there is a family that’s extinct from that. I can relate to it very well.
Many interviewed agreed Pastor Kim’s character song was a performance highlight. Of the dramatic stage, the Pastor has an album of her musical talent. Her night’s highlight was Luisa transformation. Reflecting that any time God transforms a life that was being destroyed is a highlight. She rededicated her life to the Lord after the accident as did my character CC.
Jay Dove one of the singing artist from Fully Loaded for Christ played a little entourage with the drug dealer. His group met Pastor Steed, through a big outreach event, who invited them to come and get affiliated with the play he wrote. After meeting for dinner, they joined the team.
Jay expressed the godly manhood aspect of the story relative to sharing the gospel. “We need more men to step out like that in faith and do what God called them to do. Anybody that’s doing that through the Holy Spirit, we tap into, because that’s what we do. We’re an outreach group. We go out and proclaim the gospel in the streets. We don’t just keep it in the church.” His group can be found on Facebook and YouTube by the name---Fully Loaded 4 Christ.
Nailah Harris is Pastor Ed’s daughter. She played the other lead role. Landed the role early during the editing process, before the screen version was sent Hollywood. Helping with the editing process and the adaption to stage her father already had his daughter in mind for the part. She yielded and accepted, although she and her husband had relocated to Virginia hours away from play and rehearsals.
The distance wasn’t Nailah only proof of commitment to the Inferno. “Firstly, said Nailah with her husband at her side, Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I connect with Luisa because I lost my mom when I was six, to breast cancer. Thankfully, I did not lose my dad. During a period in his life, he disconnected because of the loss of my mom. So in a sense, I kind of lost both my parents. During a period of my life, I went through other trials and tribulations. Luisa and I connect. I was also rebellious. I had that rebellious way about me. Maybe not as bad as Louisa. Still, it was easy to connect with her. But, God is good and that’s really what it comes down too.
Her highlight surprisingly was offstage. “It was the twelve-hour drive with my best friend---Yvonne Solomon, who played Joelle Perkins in the play. We had a lot of good times---a lot of joking craziness. It was all worth it. As a witnessing tool Nailah says NOTI expresses that no matter what you do, God is always going to give you grace and mercy. Still, you have to decide for yourself am I willing to go take that walk. When you make that decision you will never look back even when you try. Even if you go as far and you’ve can---the prodigal son moment. You will come back and God will receive you, with open arms. Its absolute ministry in and of itself.
Director Ed was still directing---clean up and after-party after the play was over. He shared as we walked from the VIP room back to the now dispersed people auditorium. His perspective, from behind the stage. “It was quite hectic. We had a lot of hiccups, but I think the audience didn’t catch all of those hiccups---maybe a couple. There was a lot of delays in between scenes. But, this is our first production. We believe the Lord has his hands on this production. We’re going to do many, many more to his glory and for his people.”
Ed said the draw from the diverse two city audience was because was due the subject. “When people heard the title, we sent out a summary of what the play was about. They found it intriguing. We do have a vast support network that stretches from the top to the bottom of the state. Some people came out because they just wanted to support us. Others because they were intrigued by the subject matter. The third group that came out was out of curiosity.
Noting the varied age group the pastor said. “This thing has shocked me so much. When we sent it out to Hollywood, we weren’t expecting anything. We just wanted feedback. But every time my wife and I looked on the board, our play was still there. Our script was still there. It was shocking. I’m shocked that the young people today, especially very young were intrigued by this thing. It’s kind of a more mature subject matter.
Both writer and director the pastor said the pervading theme and thought was redemption. People with difficulties in life finding redemption. The main character and her aunt---primarily find redemption. I can relate to some of those things. I wrote those characters, so I know.
Pastor Ed’s inspiration runs deep.
“I had a personal experience on April 24, 1991. I was suicidal. Alcohol had beat me down. I had a gun in my hand when the Lord came to visit with me. He spoke to me. He gave me a scripture that today is my favorite scripture---Psalms 27:1.
‘The Lord is my light and my salvation whom should I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life of whom should I be afraid.’
So I came out of that fearing nothing, being afraid of nothing, and leaning on the Lord. It was then, when he confirmed the calling of ministry that I received at a young age, but never responded to. It took my own Night of the Inferno to pull me out of it.” He also shared the irony that it was his real-life daughter, who in play acted out his experience through the character Luisa.
Pastor Steed hope for the NOTI audience is that those who are not saved, gospel seed was planted in them. He hopes they would see we’re in dangerous times. “We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. We want people to be saved. Those who are already saved, we want them to receive the confirmation of their salvation and to get right.” The director hopes to do more performances. His goal is to bless more people not necessary millions but to be a blessing.
To the Voice of One question of who Jesus is in his life Director, Pastor Ed Steed shares. “He’s my all and all---my Jesus Christ. He’s the one that reached down to me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me up. I should’ve lost my job in that situation. I was going to lose my life at my own hands. I was going to lose my job. When I came to the point, Jesus pulled me up. I don’t care about the job. Not only did I regain my job, I was eventually over the years elevated to a position of honor and authority. Only Jesus, only him, so I know him as my personal Lord and Savior for real.
Pastor Arnold Stewart name was dropped by many during the evening. He lives in Blackwood NJ. He pastored in Camden for seven years. He revealed it was after a three year period of deep depression, followed by deliverance, he left the pastorate and stepped out into field ministry. He now serves full time connected with Crusaders for Christ Evangelistic Center in Philadelphia, Pastor David Hill.
He and his wife were meeting pastor steed at his house when he shared the script with him. His wife, according to him was clowning around with a character she made called Sister Girl. Ed noted that the improv reminded him his character Joelle. Inquiry led to the exposure of the TNOTI. He asked Pastor Ed if he could bring the play to Camden. He shared his heart to develop a different type of outreach to the city.
“He expressed, most of these people aren’t coming to the church. The church has to come up with new innovative ways to reach out to the community, to reach out to the streets and bring the gospel to the people. Jesus came out of the synagogue and we went out into the hedges and the highways. He went into the mountains and valleys.”
Originally, said Pastor Arnold, the Inferno was going to be a fifteen-minute skit at a conference he was conducting. While he was preparing the skit, Ed fell, threw out his knee, and was bedridden for about a month. He thought this was God telling him not to do the skit. God spoke when he got still before him and said. “I don’t want you to do the skit. I want you to do the whole play.”
Pastor Arnold whose ministry is street focused said, “This is the first production. We’re trusting God for many, many more. I would like to see this one day become the Inferno Tour, where we go to different cities, make a full circle, and bring it right back here to Camden.”
Pastor Arnold believes the Inferno is an effective witnessing tool. “It meets us right where we are. We all have some type of situation that we're experiencing in our life. We need to make the Word of God relevant to our current day issues. A lot of times, when I was growing up, we talked about the bible stories. We saw characters but we didn’t understand how these stories applied to our everyday living. I believe that the arts are one of the final frontiers that we can utilize to bring the gospel to people who are really---I hate to say this---had enough of church. They really had enough of the traditional four walls.
We have an opportunity to become more creative in ways, to bring the gospel to the people, reaching them right where they are, letting them see how the Word of God is relevant for to today.”
He says the city of Camden needs it.