The Best Show in Town

Back by popular demand (above and below): Joseph’s Coat, Fayette’s Christmas rock opera, is being performed again this year.

Fayette Community Church (AL) began renting a former movie house in 1998, eventually refurbishing its main theatre into a 180-seat sanctuary, and the two others into areas for infants, children and youth, fellowship and offices. Two of the screens remain in place and are invaluable for outreach events, worship services and church programs, such as Fayette’s original Christmas rock opera.

Pastor Brad Wilcox says his congregation is constantly striving to love, encourage and appreciate people — from Katrina victims in Mississippi (with an ongoing commitment to send work teams to join FM relief/planting efforts in Pass Christian every six months) to football fans on Super Bowl Sunday and local thespians and musicians who practice on the church’s stages.

Pastor Brad and Mishawn Wilcox

Fayette’s Super Bowl outreach is intentionally focused on emergency workers — honoring and celebrating their contribution to the community. The church extended personal invitations specifically to firefighters for the Feb. 2006 event, and a dozen or more attended (along with a fire truck or two). A children’s area featured a moonwalk (a Dalmatian — by God’s design); the restaurant next door donated 2,000 chicken wings to go with the congregation’s homemade goodies; and a 12-by-15-foot screen featured the Steelers/Seahawks game.

Fayette’s Christmas rock opera, Joseph’s Coat, depicts Jesus’ earthly father’s life through drama, video clips and the church’s live band playing music by Journey. Last year’s production was such a hit, they’re bringing it back.

Although their strip-mall location isn’t externally exciting, the church is drawing people in and warmly welcoming them — fulfilling its vision to “love God completely and people unconditionally.” Monthly articles in the local newspaper keep the community apprised of happenings at the church and encourage all comers.

“We like the theater feel,” says Wilcox. “Everyone’s familiar with that.” And if Fayette Community Church has its way, everyone who comes to this venue will become familiar with Jesus’ love as well.