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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Are you a creep or a silly woman?

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The Bible may have been written thousands of years ago, but it still contains valuable information for life today, including relationship advice. Strong, healthy relationships exist within the Black community, yet some surely need a bit of work.

Sharon Johnson, first lady of Eastern Star Church, spearheaded the effort to bring to the stage a play that could speak to daters who have lost their way. ā€œCreeps and Silly Womenā€ will take the stage Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. at Eastern Star Churchā€™s west facility, 5805 Cooper Road. Tickets are $20 and kids 10 years old and younger are free, but they also need a ticket.

ā€œCreeps and Silly Womenā€ is the story of Pastor Charlie Gunn, who falls in love with prostitute Grace Mercy. The play follows their relationship ups and downs.

Pastor Jeffery Johnson Sr., senior pastor of Eastern Star Church, preached a sermon in 1996 of the same name that serves as inspiration for the play. ā€œCreeps and Silly Womenā€ is taken straight from the word, 2 Timothy 3:6, which says, ā€œThey are the kind who worm their wayĀ into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires.ā€

The Indianapolis Recorder sat down with Sharon Johnson and playwright and director Jimmy Jenkins to talk about this provocatively titled play and what audiences can learn from the underlying message.

Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: ā€œCreeps and Silly Women.ā€ That is a very interesting title. Tell me what this play is all about.

Johnson: This play is inspired by Pastor Johnsonā€™s sermon back in 1996. The sermons he was preaching at the time, his heart was going out to women who were being misused by men. He highlighted men who were being creepy toward women. When he formed Kingdom Word Ministries a few years ago, the Lord laid on my heart to (do this) play. What came to mind was ā€œCreeps and Silly Women.ā€ That sermon really blessed a lot of people.

Was it difficult to convert Pastor Johnsonā€™s sermon into a theatrical play?

Jenkins: It wasnā€™t difficult, but more so intriguing. I wrote this story about two years ago, but I would never know Iā€™d use it. When Mrs. Johnson came to me, I thought, ā€œI can change some things around and incorporate the sermon more.ā€ I went back and looked at the scripture, which really helped me embrace what pastor was saying and put that into a play format. My challenge was how could I make the story good and in a way that reflects the sermon.

How did the cast prepare for this venture?

Jenkins: Everyone received a sermon, but we have some talented actors who are in this play.

Johnson: We held auditions and pulled from the community. Some of our actors are amateur actors, but I believe the Lord placed those bright people there.

What demographic are you trying to reach with this play?

Johnson: Iā€™m trying to reach young women, because I have a heart for them. I always try to encourage them, especially young mothers. Weā€™ve all made mistakes ā€” weā€™ve all been creepy and silly at some point in a relationship. I try to come alongside them and tell them, ā€œGod loves you, he forgives you, but he wants the best for you and your children.ā€ Iā€™m trying to draw women who are set in their ways, women who think itā€™s OK to be treated like this by a man. Or men who think you are supposed to treat women like this.

What genre is the play?

Johnson: Itā€™s a comedy, itā€™s a drama, there are some real principles ā€” itā€™s all of that. But the message is that God loves you in spite of your creepy and silly ways. Hopefully the play will portray that. You canā€™t do anything so bad that God wonā€™t accept you. He loves you in spite of you. The Bible tells us, ā€œWhile we were yet sinners, when he died on the cross.ā€ He knew how we were, and he still died for us. Iā€™m hoping the love of Jesus shines through this play. Iā€™m hoping someone in the audience has a heart to want to change. Also, it may be held in a church, but itā€™s not a church play. It can be shown in any theater on Broadway. (Laughs) Of course we respect that it is in the house of the Lord.

Does that go to say that this play is for both ā€œchurch peopleā€ and those who donā€™t regularly attend church?

Johnson: Yes, we wanted to draw people who are uncomfortable coming into the church. We have KeKe Wyatt, who is known for being on TV Oneā€™s ā€œR&B Divas.ā€ Sheā€™s also an acclaimed R&B singer. Sheā€™ll be singing during the play. Local Radio One personality Karen Vaughn was added to help draw people who are unchurched, but would like to come and attend the play.

Pastor Jeffery Johnson preached on this topic almost 10 years ago. Why is now a good time to bring this message to the public in play form?

Johnson: Today, Black women are portrayed terribly. As mothers, singles, even professional women, sometimes. Some of these young girls havenā€™t been taught ā€” they think itā€™s OK to be treated like this. They just donā€™t know. I think pastor is a phenomenal preacher, but sometimes the word has to come across through other means. The message is still the same, but the method has changed. Hopefully after seeing the play, someone will become convicted, give their life to Christ and join the church.

Is there anything else youā€™d like to add or want Recorder readers to know?

Johnson: I just hope God pricks the hearts of the people as they see this play. The Lord knows what heā€™s doing, and he communicates to us in different ways.

Jenkins: We want people who donā€™t regularly attend church to come, but those who do can learn a lesson, too. Church people see the homosexual, they see an individual with their body filled with tattoos, they smell the individual who smells like weed or liquor. They say, ā€œWhy did they come to church like this?ā€ Sometimes we lose focus of why Christ came to earth. Christ wasnā€™t with the Pharisees. He was with the least of them. Sometimes the church loses that focus because they are saved. Thatā€™s another big focus of the play ā€” get the church focused on welcoming the hooker or weed head and showing them the love they may not find anywhere else.

To purchase tickets to ā€œCreeps and Silly Women,ā€ visit any Eastern Star Church location, or log on to EasternStarChurch.org. Copies of Pastor Jeffery Johnson Sr.ā€™s sermon ā€œCreeps and Silly Womenā€ will be available at the play. For more information about Kingdom Word Ministries, visit Kingdomwordministries.org.

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