For volunteer puppeteers of Hope Puppets, the playful and fun ministry is much more than something just for kids.
Garry Galloway, who now directs the lighting and sound systems for the ministry out of First Baptist Church, Rainsville, and who was led to Christ during a 2008 production, is just one illustration of what Hope Puppets exists for — Helping Others Prepare for Eternity.
‘Beauty and the Least’
The ministry’s most recent production, “Beauty and the Least,” was written and directed by Stephanie McFall, wife of Steve McFall who previously served as pastor of the DeKalb Baptist Association church.
During seven performances of “Beauty and the Least” on April 12–19, more than 3,000 people from around the area participated in the event and heard the gospel in the process.
First, Rainsville’s youth drama team 4-Given, directed by Becky Dean and Caleb Wigley, also performed during the “Beauty and the Least” shows.
According to Greg Wigley, Hope Puppets coordinator, the ministry began 12 years ago as a one-time performance during a church Christmas party.
Now Hope Puppets includes an adult team (for ages 15 and up) and Hope Jr. team (ages 10–14) and has more than 40 volunteer puppeteers.
Lily Boswell, a fourth grader who volunteers on the Hope Jr. team said, “I love serving in this ministry because you get to teach people about God while they are having fun.”
Greg Wigley agreed. “The puppets spread hope one smile at a time.”
Kim Galloway, who serves on the Hope Puppets adult team, said, “The puppets allow me to express myself in a unique way. I would be fearful to give a verbal witness in front of a large crowd but I can witness about the Lord through a puppet.”
Hope Puppets doesn’t just perform a few times a year, however. The group also goes on a yearly missions trip. This year the teams will head to Mobile for Mission Mobile and will perform 25 shows. Other teams from the church also will work on construction projects and lead Vacation Bible School and sports camps, Greg Wigley said.
In previous years Hope Puppets teams have served in New York, New Orleans and locations in Guatemala and Venezuela.
Throughout the year Hope Puppets volunteers perform at local charities, schools, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, day camps and other churches.
Craig White, youth minister for First, Rainsville, said, “Our puppet shows aren’t just performances. They really do point people to the Savior.”
For more information about Hope Puppets visit facebook.com/hope.puppets or youtube.com/user/wig2323/featured.
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