The Curtain and the Cross
We were created by a creative God. Nathan and Grace (along with some of other friends) discuss what it's like to be a creative Christian in both the public school system and the theatre world.
The Curtain and the Cross
God's Unexpected Stage Directions: Theatre Ministry and Divine Peace
What happens when God calls you away from something you love? In this deeply personal episode, I share my journey of stepping away from community theatre and discovering how God was simultaneously opening unexpected doors for my theatrical gifts within church ministry.
After feeling led to leave behind years of community theatre in both Florida and North Carolina, I found myself mourning what seemed like the end of my performance career. Despite teaching theatre daily, the thought of never again stepping on stage as a performer left an emptiness I couldn't ignore. During a heartfelt conversation with my wife about missing this creative outlet, she suggested our church might someday offer opportunities—never imagining how quickly that suggestion would materialize. That very Sunday, our pastor announced the church's first-ever Resurrection Sunday production, where I was later cast in the lead role.
But God's plans extended beyond a single performance. As part of my involvement with our church's children's ministry—a passion dating back to my college years—I've become the face of "Marked Kids," creating educational videos that help parents connect with their children's spiritual development. These videos, like the one featured in this episode about finding peace through God's guidance during storms, allow me to blend my theatrical training with ministry in ways I never anticipated. With an upcoming mystery dinner theater production I'll be directing, it's clear that God wasn't closing the door on my theatrical pursuits—He was redirecting them toward a stage where faith and performance beautifully intersect.
Have you ever felt God removing something you love, only to discover He was preparing something better? I'd love to hear your stories of how God has repurposed your talents in unexpected ways. Subscribe to The Curtain and the Cross for more conversations about navigating faith and theater in today's world.
Hey everybody, welcome to another episode of the Curtain and the Cross. Another episode of the Curtain and the Cross. Now, this is the first episode that it is just me Grace could not record because there was a power outage, apparently at nearby her house because of some tornadoes, so unfortunately she was not able to record, and so I've actually been thinking for a while that I wanted to do an episode about how God is opening up doors for me to continue to do theater. Yes, this podcast is about teaching theater and being a Christian in the public school system. I have stated before that I used to do theater out in the community and I felt like God was kind of shifting me and pulling me away from that, just for multiple reasons environment, past baggage, past drama in the theater and I felt like it was officially time for me to step away. And I was just telling a friend of mine, like right before I started recording, that I really honestly feel that my time doing shows in the community might be over, and it is sad because theater is a big part of my life. I get to teach it, I get to share my passion for it for with my students and I have done multiple shows both in Florida and where I'm living now, in Fayetteville, north Carolina, and so it pains me to actually think that I might not ever do a show for the community again. And I was talking to my wife a couple of months ago about how I really miss performing, like it's something I really feel is a part of me and I feel like God wants me to be able to do that, have that outlet to perform. God wants me to be able to do that, have that outlet to perform. And so I was like I said I was talking to my wife and she said, well, maybe our church, Mark Church, will do some productions and maybe give you the ability to do different things that will allow you to use your gift of acting, different things that will allow you to use your gift of acting. And while I was like, yeah, maybe we'll see, and then not even I think that Sunday, our pastor stood on stage and said that they were going to be doing their very first production for resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday, for Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday, and I turned to my wife and it was a big deal because, honestly, I believe so many things have happened in good ways.
Speaker 1:Because of the church that I attend, I got plugged back into the children's ministry. Children's ministry is a big thing. That's on my heart. It's been on my heart since I was in college, probably before that, I think. I started volunteering in my church's children's ministry when I went to another church way back in the day, as soon as I was able to go to youth. So I graduated from children's ministry to go to youth. So I graduated from children's ministry to go to youth, and then the first thing I wanted to do was volunteer for children's ministry.
Speaker 1:So children's ministry is a big part of my life as well, and so not only is my church doing a production which I am very excited about, I was cast in the lead role of that production, and so we are going to start rehearsals for that soon, and I'm really excited about that. But another thing that I'm really excited about and this is another thing that I thought about when I learned that Grace was not going to be able to record was that part of the children's ministry is coming up with resources to help parents connect to what their kids are learning in church, and one way we decided to do that was by doing videos and I get to be kind of the face of marked kids in the, in the way that I am the person recording those videos and and just teaching these kids about who God is, and I'm just super excited because I really believe that everything I've wanted to do, everything that I had been talking about wanting to do, is coming to fruition through Mark Church, and I'm just super excited to see where God is going to continue to lead me as I continue to do what he has called me to do. And part of this episode is I wanted to share the latest video that I did with Marked Kids and that is what I'm going to be sharing and that's going to be the episode. I just I really believe God is up to something. I believe that this is just the beginning, because also, something that's coming up soon is we're doing a mystery dinner theater, doing a mystery dinner theater, and so, again, I get to direct that and possibly act in it. We'll see, but I'm just so excited about all the opportunities that God is giving me to continue to do theater, even if it's not out in the main community, it's in the body of Christ, in the main community, it's in the body of Christ, and that's what this show is all about using our theater gifts to glorify Christ, whether that's in the public square or whether it's in the temple where God resides. And so, yeah, I'm super excited. So, without any further ado, whether you're listening or watching, here is the newest Mark Kids recap video. Enjoy, and hopefully, grace and I will join you for our next episode of the Carton and the Cross. We are Mark Kids shining bright. Hey, mark families, welcome to another weekly recap.
Speaker 1:Today we're talking about being led by God's spirit. Now, god doesn't force us to follow him, he invites hearts. One day, jesus and his disciples were on a boat after a long day of teaching. Jesus was so tired that he fell asleep. But suddenly a storm came. The wind blew, the waves crashed and the boat rocked. The disciples were afraid and began to yell Jesus, wake up, we're going to drown. Jesus sat up, probably stretched a little bit and calmly stood. Then he said peace, be still. And all of a sudden the storm stopped. Everything was calm and Jesus wasn't afraid at all. He had peace in his heart the whole time. That's the kind of peace God wants us to have. Now.
Speaker 1:Some people think God is far away and doesn't talk to us. But that's not true. God didn't create us and leave us alone. He wants to lead us, speak to us and give us peace. Remember, god doesn't always speak with a loud voice. He speaks gently in our hearts. Have you ever felt led to do something kind for someone, or felt a deep sense of calm in a hard situation? That's God leading you. What's something that makes you feel afraid, stressed or worried? Take a moment to close your eyes and think about it. Now let's pray together. Jesus, I give my worries, my stress, to you. Fill my heart with your peace, amen. When we pray and trust God, he replaces our worries with peace. That's how we know he's leading us. So remember, mark kids, god's spirit speaks peace into our hearts. When we listen for his voice and follow his peace, we can trust that he is guiding us. See you next time, mark kids. Keep following his peace. Thank you.
