As the youngsters filed on stage, you could see the excitement and nervousness on their faces.
One by one, dressed in black T-shirts, blue jeans and black socks, they took their places, waiting for the first chords of “Lord You Are Holy” to fill the church sanctuary.
But once the music began, the nervousness was gone. The team — five boys and five girls, ranging in age from 7 to 19 — was caught up in praising the Lord.
The early jitters are to be expected. The North Park Church Drama Team is preparing to perform in an international teen talent competition at the 95th International Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy on Aug. 14 in Nashville, something the young group never expected.
“We have come a long way,” said Dr. Claudine Stevens, who is directing the drama team along with her husband, Calvin Stevens.
The group will compete against teams from the Bahamas and Canada as well as other cities throughout the United States.
Drama team member Aubrey Stevens described the opportunity as fun. “But we are nervous, really nervous,” she said.
The team won the Mississippi Church of God of Prophecy statewide talent competition in May. The team performed “Let the Worshippers Arise.”
Claudine Stevens said that during the state competition, a previous judge told her that including the young kids was a good move for North Park.
“One of the judges said, ‘You guys took a bold step in combining youth and children, and it paid off,’” Calvin Stevens said.
Most of the churches use only the teenagers, so they have a better chance of winning.
“We were worried we would be disqualified for that reason,” Claudine Stevens said. “We never thought we would win. But they did good, and I was impressed.”
Calvin Stevens echoed his wife’s praise. “We didn’t expect to win,” he said. “A church in Monticello was the favorite because they had kids with experience. They were older and had been doing it longer.”
One reason the team pushed to go to this year’s international competition is that the rules will change in 2010. The age range for the teen competition will be from 13 to 19, and several of the younger and older members will not get to participate then because of their ages.
One of those who would be too young in 2010 is Brent Wilson, 7, the team’s youngest member.
Brent gets excited when you ask him what he likes best about the drama team and the song it will perform at the international competition. His face begins to glow, and his hands begin to move. He can’t even put his favorite things into words without performing parts of the song.
Brittnay Williams, 19, the oldest member of the group, is excited that she will have the opportunity to perform this year as well.
“This will be my first and last time to perform at the international competition because the rules have changed, and next time I would be too old,” she said. “It’s gonna be like wonderful. It’s a great opportunity for anybody to go.”
The drama team has practiced two nights a week for the past three weeks, and it has performed at some area churches. The team is going to a lock-in at Adams Arbor Church of God of Prophecy on Aug. 8, and it performed five songs at the North Park Church on Sunday.
Calvin Stevens said the drama team is available to minister at any churches in the area who would invite them. “We are looking to make this a ministry,” he said.
The group is working on about 25 songs. And after the competition, Stevens said more youngsters will be involved with the team.
Traveling and lodging for the international convention is not cheap, Calvin Stevens said. The team is selling 300 tickets for a buffet meal at Larry’s Fish House in Itta Bena. Larry Kelly is giving the church part of the profit from each ticket to help pay for the trip. Tickets are $13, the normal price of the buffet, and can be purchased from any of the drama team members.
“If all 300 tickets are sold, it will help pay for the hotel rooms and food for 10 kids and chaperones,” Calvin Stevens said.
The Stevenses welcome donations from anyone else who would like to help the team pay for this once-in-a-lifetime trip. To make a donation, contact Calvin Stevens at 455-6695 or 515-4058.
