ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, CA (April 6, 2012) – For the first time in the 27-year history of the Rolling Hills Covenant Church’s production of “The Pageant of Our Lord,” one of the presentations was done entirely in Mandarin.
Eleven Chinese-language churches from the South Bay of Los Angeles invited guests who filled the 800-seat Rolling Hills auditorium on Sunday. Due to security concerns for audience members, no pictures were taken, says church spokesperson Susan Johnson.
The presentation was hosted by David Chi, the general secretary of the Chinese Coordination Center of World Evangelism – USA, along with Agnes Tan, managing editor of Behold Magazine and a member of Bread of Life Church in Torrance.
The pageant features people placed into life-sized re-creations of famous paintings and sculptures portraying the life of Jesus Christ. A cast and crew of more than 400 volunteers produce this theatrical experience. Click here to see more photos.
Accompanied by a musical score presented by the Rolling Hills Covenant Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra and narration to provide historical insight into the artwork, the pageant has been described as “a technical masterpiece that blends art with music, a jaw-dropping presentation of the Gospel.”
Nineteen performances are being presented from March 23 through Saturday. The 2012 pageant is featuring 15 sacred art pieces, including one new painting, “The Resurrection Mural” by Ron DiCianni, a 40-foot-wide by 12-foot-high” oil on canvas mural that had been on display in the Dallas Museum of Religious Art. Click here for more information.
In addition to the 19 performances, two children’s versions have been given. The abbreviated one-hour version is designed for children kindergarten through fifth grade and featured six pieces of art, a children’s choir, and a child narrator.
Editor’s note: Photos courtesy of Rick Stipa.
