Hundreds of volunteers took one of the most familiar stories in the world and retold it in a new way for the opening night of the 2012 Going On Faith Conference in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Conference delegates watched a performance about Jesus’ life and death called “The Fourth Cross,” by NarroWay Productions, a theater company that produces original religious shows.
“We were so impressed that NarroWay had so many volunteers,” said Robert Berry with Itty Bitty Seed Ministries in Seymour, Tennessee. “Even the little children were so focused and singing every word. It was truly an amazing production.”
The theater served dinner before starting the performance. An all-volunteer cast and crew of 300, original songs and live animals onstage kept the show captivating for viewers.
“NarroWay was fantastic,” said Jackie Boards with Outreach Ministry in Louisville, Kentucky. “I’m thinking about bringing a group there. I want my group to see that play. It was very moving. I messed up my mascara, but I don’t think I was the only one crying.”
The next day, conference attendees ate breakfast and lunch at Rock Hill’s First Baptist Church. The Globus Family of Brands presented during breakfast, and Israel Ministry of Tourism presented during lunch.
After lunch, delegates climbed aboard buses for sightseeing tours of York County. The buses each took guests on a different mystery tour to attractions around the area, such as to the Billy Graham Library.
Afterward, attendees were dropped off in Rock Hill’s Old Town for a walking tour. Guests passed by historic buildings, shops and restaurants before sitting down at the Old Town Amphitheatre for a gospel concert by a local choir. The choir had the group clapping and swaying along during the songs.
“The gospel choir concert was so enriching,” said Sandra Weinacht of Incantato Tours from Tega Cay, South Carolina. “Often, you never see the conference connect with the local destination. Bringing the local church in and telling the pastor’s story was very inspiring.”
After the performance, guests enjoyed a dine-around dinner at their choice of Old Town restaurants.
The next morning, a local folk band played religious songs to get the day started. During a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace,” the Little Rock CVB’s own Jane Malton-Mages went up to sing alongside the band in beautiful harmony. Soon after, attendees watched a presentation by the Eureka Springs CVB and Little Rock CVB.
The closing lunch had guests chuckling during a ventriloquist act from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the host destination for the 2013 installment of the Going On Faith Conference. Delegates laughed while the ventriloquist called on numerous audience members to join in the fun onstage.
