Into the World

I love the Christmas time of year. First, with Advent, we have the time of darkness and waiting for the Christ to come into the world. With Christmas, we celebrate His birth and His presence with us in our lives. Then right away, it is the New Year, where we have a great vision for how we will live our lives for Him in the bright new year of 2014!

Now is this time to look at how you can serve! Covenant Players is accepting applications for January and August 2014. We currently have openings in Europe (particularly France and Germany), North America, Australia, and Southern Africa.

We are very excited about our next mission, and we would welcome you to be a part of us! Please let us know how we can help you in your application for Covenant Players. We are glad to answer your questions, pray with you and help you find your way to serve the Lord. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Penni Blatterman

(This is from "Acting in Faith" a publication of Covenant Players. For more information about Covenant Players, please contact them directly at www.covenantplayers.org)

If You Have the Drive, Make the Time -- "Following Your Passion"

I was reading an article recently about “Following Your Passion”.  It was an interesting article, because it never mentioned serving God, performing theater, travel, or anything else about Covenant Players; and yet I saw so many similarities in how people can best approach joining Covenant Players.

Want-To.  How-To.  When-To.

Want-To.  A lot of people want to join Covenant Players.  We serve the Lord!  We travel!  And we do it all by performing plays!  We do full-time what many others are only able to do part-time, on weekends or holidays.  A lot of people have this drive, and this desire.  I assume that you do, because you are getting this letter!  That is great.  Desire and drive to explore, create, change are what make us unique and exciting. 

How-To.  You are taking some steps in how to join Covenant Players by getting our info, by meeting with our units.  Don’t forget the big picture!  You need to have a formal interview to join Covenant Players, and you need to fill out an application with three references.    We are happy to help you with any of the steps; just let us know where you need help!

When-To.  This is unfortunately where a lot of people can lose sight of their dreams and their desires.  If there is no set time, it can not actually happen.  It stays a dream for “some time.”  Choose when you will join Covenant Players.  Plan for it and make it real.  Is it now?  Is it as soon as you are finished with school?  Is it after your current job finishes?  Or is it “some time”?  Don’t let it slip away.

If you have the drive, make the time.  Contact us today, and let us know how we can help you join Covenant Players soon.

(This is an article I wrote for "Acting in Faith" a publication of Covenant Players.  If you are interested in Covenant Players, please contact them directly at www.covenantplayers.org)

So, what is it really like to be a Covenant Player?

I actually love answering this question.  It is like a hundred different things.  We “wear many different hats”!

(English Idiom Definitions for 'Wear many hats' — If someone wears many hats, they have different roles or tasks to perform.)

“Is it like being a missionary?”  YES!  We are sent out into all the world.  In Europe, our units are in 15 different countries, and Covenant Players units cover so many more worldwide.

“Is it like being a pastor?”  YES!  We bring messages to the church to address a variety of needs.  Easter, the reality of Christ’s gospel in our daily lives, living our faith, dealing with difficult situations — it is hard to think of a theme or issue that has not been required of us.  In addition, we are responsible to encourage one another in discipleship and leadership and seek high standards for ourselves.

“Is it is like being an actor?”  A thousand times, YES!  We prepare new plays and new roles every day and every week.  We explore characters from the inside and embody them physically for others to see.

“Is it like being a teacher?”  Again, YES.    When we perform in schools, we are bringing thought-provoking plays about Bullying, Goals and Purpose in Life, Substance Abuse, Conflict Resolution in a way that encourages discussion among the students and finding the message for themselves in a new way. 

What else are we?  What are we like?  Well, here are some more ideas...

Actor

Adventurer

Care-Giver

Christian

Cleaner

Cook

Disciple of Jesus

Driver

Educator / Teacher

Evangelist

Event Planner

Friend

Leader

Logistical Coordinator

Luggage Carrier

Mechanic

Navigator

Pastor

Peace Maker

PR (Public Relations) Worker

Public Speaker / Presenter

Sales Representative

Servant

Social Worker

Stage Manager

Student

Sunday School Teacher

Tour Manager

Tourist

Traveler

In Covenant Players, no day is the same.  We are always learning and growing in new responsibilities and areas.  Is it challenging?  Oh YES.  “What is it really like?“  Come and see.

 (This is from a recent publication from Covenant Players -- "Acting In Faith".  For more information on Covenant Players, please contact them directly at www.covenantplayers.org)

And yet -- God used them

You have probably heard this, or something like this, before —

Abraham was too old.

Sarah laughed at God’s promises.

Moses stuttered.

David was an adulterer.

Noah got drunk.

Jacob was a liar.

 Jeremiah suffered depression.

Martha worried.

Timothy had stomach problems.

Elijah was burned out.

Rahab was a prostitute.

 Jonah ran from God.

Thomas doubted.

Paul had anger management issues.

And yet — God used them.

People who serve full-time in ministry already know that God can use anyone, and everyone.  None of us are perfect.  We all have different weaknesses, and sometimes we feel that we are the only ones who struggle, who fail, who cannot do what we are trying to do. 

The Lord is not surprised by our weaknesses.  He sees His plan and how He can use us in it — as we are, as we will be, as He changes us.  He will not leave us alone, He will not leave us the same.  He will make us worthy for what He gives us.

It is not easy.  It never will be easy, or without struggle or challenge. 

But — it is worth it.  It is worth it to put your hand in the Lord’s and trust that He will guide you.  It is a joy to see Him work through you.

Take the step.  Let God change you.  Let God use you. In Covenant Players.

(This is an article I wrote for "Acting in Faith", a publication of Covenant Players.  If you are interested in serving with Covenant Players, or want more information, please contact them directly at www.covenantplayers.org)

Your Year for God -- in Covenant Players

We are so often asked — “Can I do a YEAR FOR GOD with Covenant Players?”

The answer is — YES YOU CAN.

Grow in Faith, Act on Purpose, Perform World-Wide

Grow in Faith – Covenant Players is an interdenominational full-time mission organization, serving
the church and the community. We seek to live ou faith through our ministry in drama, by having regular devotions and prayer, and by reaching out to others.

You will grow in your faith, by experiencing God’s miracles and provision in every day life and changing circumstances. You will grow in knowledge of your faith, by serving churches with different forms of expression in worship and leadership structure.

You will grow as a follower of Christ, by learning to reach out to others and serve others even when it is hard, inconvenient, or beyond what you think you can do.

Act on Purpose – Covenant Players is a full-time repertory theater company. You will have real-life experience, in on-the-job training through daily rehearsal and performances several times a week before a wide range of audiences.

You will gain confidence, in presentation before a group, and daily work in public relations.

Perform World-Wide — Covenant Players travels full-time in North America, Europe, South Africa
and Australia — from community to community, home to home, church to church, school to school.

You will not be a tourist; you will be touring full-time in your mission field, learning the plays, learning the culture and the language, and staying with the people in your mission area.

You will be a true part of ministry, being impacted, and making an impact.


(My blog is taken this week from a publication of Covenant Players.  If you are interested in finding out more about Covenant Players, please contact me or contact them directly through www.covenantplayers.org)