Eastside Baptist Church presents Easter production
25th year tradition will be repeated this Sunday

Costumed participants in the Eastside Baptist Church annual Easter pageant portray the various parts of the drama of Jesus' last days on earth, His crucifixion and resurrection.

Know Before
You Go
What: Non-denominational
Easter Sunrise Service
featuring re-enactment
When: Sunday, March 23,
7 a.m.
Where: Texas State Railroad
parking lot
Call: For more information,
(903) 683-2566

A dream that began 25 years ago to minister to the citizens of Rusk at Easter will be repeated this year.

The 25th annual Eastside Baptist Church Easter sunrise service at the Texas State Railroad will begin at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday. The pageant will be presented on the TSR parking lot.

It is sponsored by the church and is under the direction of Sheri Lankford. This is the fourth consecutive year for Mrs. Lankford to direct the pageant.

"Personnel at 'American Heritage Railways,' owner of the railroad, are excited about the pageant," Mrs. Lankford said. This is the first year that the company has been involved. Previously Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. operated the railroad and camping park.

The pageant is a portrayal of the last days of Christ, presented by the youth department and 75-100 members of the Eastside congregation. Participants of all ages will be dressed in Biblical costumes.

The pageant is a community effort and a number of Rusk businesses assist in underwriting the cost.

People from the community participate in the program especially at the end when the song, "People Need the Lord," is being performed. "This part shows people from all walks of life going to the cross as a symbol of everyone needing the Lord, no matter what their race, social status or prestige. Everyone needs Jesus and He is there to accept any and everyone," said Mrs. Lankford.

Several hundred persons will attend the pageant. Eastside Baptist Church will provide some seating. However, those attending are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. In addition to local citizens, a number of persons camped at the park will attend.

Planners for the pageant said, "Many come to Rusk every year on Easter weekend to view the pageant."

Mrs. Lankford said, "Attendance was somewhat less last year, but we still had just over 100 even if the weather was bad. It had snowed on the Saturday before and snow flakes kept falling while we practiced. We finished with the pageant, packed up our props and got back to the church before the Sunday morning rain began."

There is no alternate location for the pageant. "God has blessed us with good weather most of the time," Mrs. Lankford said. "If it rains, we just keep going with the pageant."

Most of those appearing in the pageant have done it for years, they grew up being a part of the pageant. Practice time is on Saturday morning before the event. They begin at 9 a.m. and work until noon.

"We have videos to study and I always view them," Mrs. Lankford said. "When we have a new person playing Jesus, I ask him to study the videos.

"It is always a wonderful experience for all appearing in the pageant, as well as those who attend," Mrs. Lankford said.

Heath Thompson, a member of the youth group, said, "Doing this program helps show God's love for us."

Brittany Lankford, another member of the youth group, said, "It is our way to share God's love for people."

Those who play the part of Jesus say the portrayal is very humbling. One of the hardest parts to play is that of the soldier who beats Jesus.

Richard Davis, who has played the part for several years, said, "Every year some three or four-year-old child comes up to me and says, "I'm mad at you, you hit Jesus." One year he related that his granddaughter did not talk to him the rest of the day because of his part in the performance.

Sound effects add to the spiritual mood of the event.

Eastside Pastor Mike Bradford said, "Last year was the first time for my family and me to see the pageant and be part of such a great ministry. We are looking forward to being a part of the pageant again this Easter."

Former directors of the pageant include, Doyle and Laurie Joyner, Tracy Jinkins, Donna and Mike Hill, R.S. and Esther Dyess, the late Reda Wilcox and Weida Woodruff.