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Puppeteering for Christ
BARCELONA, September 20, 2006 (El Día/ACPress.net)
‘Titiriteros para Cristo ‘ (Puppeteers for Christ) has been touring Spain for 10 years, bringing the Christian message to children and adults, many of whom have never heard the truths of Jesus before. This summer the group was in New Castile (south of Madrid), and organisers calculate that more than 5,000 people attended their 12-day mission. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, the regional government is supporting a photographic exhibition of the group’s work.
“We want people to have a direct relationship with God” was the headline in ‘El Día’, a local newspaper in Ciudad Real, after the group’s participation in a 12-day evangelistic mission in New Castile, along with other evangelical artists. The paper devoted a whole page to an interview with Unai Arretxe, the group’s leader, and with a local pastor, in which they discussed the performance and its message.
The group’s performances also include clowns and jugglers and they often meet with surprise, even disapproval, that they use such means to present the Gospel. However, most people respect them and their presentation often creates curiosity with people interested to know more about God.
This summer’s mission is considered a great success by its organisers. Given the low level of interest which is usually the case with faith topics, the fact that thousands of people heard the Gospel through the work of the puppeteers and their colleagues is most encouraging. Apparently, about 70 people prayed to receive Jesus as their Saviour throughout the mission.
“People are tired of religion, of not being able to think for themselves. We are not trying to get people to accept a religion, but to have a personal relationship with Jesus”, says Fernando Ramírez, pastor of La Roca Evangelical Church in Ciudad Real. The puppet shows delight both children and adults, and attracts some people to hear the message of Jesus who would steer well clear of a more traditional presentation. The presentation is designed to make people think, rather than impose a dogma.
Three local Evangelical Churches - in Ciudad Real, Manzanares and Quintanar de la Orden - participated actively in the mission, and were pleased with the response of local people. The mission also took in other towns and villages, including Valdepeñas and Daimiel.
The Cultural Institute in Barcelona is supporting an exhibition about ‘alternative religions and new spirituality’ as part of their drive to promote understanding and respect between religions. It will open in November and run until January, and aims to break stereotypes about different religious beliefs.
Source: El Día. Editing: ACPress.net
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