For the St. Louis American
In the quaint little town of O’Fallon, Illinois, there sits on a corner of South Lincoln Street a small church that’s ministering in superlative ways. O’Fallon Apostolic Assembly is the church home of the new playwright on the block, Sherry Wright-Gully, producer of the plays Single Wives and her latest gospel drama, Dancing on the Edge.
Wright-Gully said her latest forte was a labor of love and testimony designed with the specific purpose of revealing the secret sins within the church. The church and guests recently witnessed first hand the supernatural healing of God through a vivid life and death dramatization. Dancing on the Edge depicts the religious controversy that surrounds abortion.
The main character is Destiny Green, portrayed by actress Lela Martin. Destiny is a praise dancer with a gift for her craft that many believe to have been inspired by God. Her energetic, spirit-filled dances captured the full attention of the audience and left them yearning for more.
After a spectacular performance, handsome, young Nigel Malone approaches her with worldly game cleverly disguised as truth. After a short time of playing hard to get, Destiny drops her guard and begins seeing Nigel.
Her mother, who possesses the ability to receive revelations through dreams, reveals that Nigel already belongs to another woman. Once humble and respectful, Destiny turns defiant to her mother when confronted with the naked truth. Against the better judgement of her mother and best friend, Destiny continues her relationship with the married Nigel. Soon Destiny falls ill with what she thinks is the stomach flu, but later learns she is pregnant and Nigel seems indifferent.
The pregnancy not only blind-sides Destiny, but also derails her dreams of dancing for God. During a dream, the devil visits Destiny and convinces her that having an abortion is her only option. Destiny heads to the neighborhood pharmacy the next day to purchase abortion pills. When Destiny pops the pills, she and her family embark on a terrifying journey that leaves no member untouched.
Wright-Gully is no stranger to the stage. She has been writing gospel plays since 2002. She was compelled to write and produce plays after her late father, Billie Wright, passed away in December 2001.
Her debut play Single Wives had audiences spreading the good word throughout Illinois. The compelling play depicts the lives of four young women who found that while they were performing wifely duties, in actuality they had no husbands. After becoming jaded by their unfulfilling situations, their wayward ways finally led them to Christ.
For more information on SRD & Wright Performing Arts Ministries, e-mail srdperforming@sbcglobal.net.
The Gospel Scene
Greg Petsch, director of the Financial Ministry for Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church, will provide biblical financial advice December 8 at Crossroads AME Church in Hazelwood. The topic of the seminar will be practical decisions regarding the money you manage as a steward for God. The financial literacy seminar, sponsored by Williamson Financial Management Group and Edu-Nomic Village International, Inc., is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call Cathey Williamson at (314) 741-9595.
Conqueror’s Christian Center, 200 East Washington Street, Belleville, IL, will present a workshop and training for Christian leaders on the issue of pedophilia December 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The training will provide church leaders with information about how to prevent sexual abuse in the church. A donation of $30 per person is requested. Call co-pastor Sheila Curry at (618) 257-8957.
New Sunny Mount Baptist Church, 4700 West Florissant, celebrates Christmas on December 18 with two events. During the 10 a.m. worship service the youth department will present Around the World It’s Christmas and at 6 p.m. the music department will perform Jesus Christ – the International Savior featuring Richard Odom.
