Kids’ community theater is a place where children grow in faith and friendship through musical theater.

The program began 12 years ago, sponsored by Sunnyside Mennonite Church and Belmont Mennonite Church, both in Elkhart, Ind. In 2022 sponsorship transferred to Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen.

Each year the program runs from January to early March, when the children share with their friends, family and community what they have learned together. Musicals are selected that help the children learn about their faith and how they can share their faith with others — which they do in a big way with the end-of-season performance.

Musicals they’ve done include Peace in the Kingdom, The Kingdom Connection, Life of the Party (the story of Mary and Martha) and, most recently, Mission Possible: Sharing the Gospel by Our Love.

During each rehearsal the children learn the songs and script, talk about what God is teaching them through the musical and take time to support and pray for one another in groups.

Kids’ Community Theater is a faith-building activity not only for the children but also for the adult volunteers. Watching the children participate reminds them that we do not always have to learn about God in a certain way or with a certain energy. The children are eager to learn the songs and share them, not worrying about who is listening or how loud they might be.

Children and volunteers alike come ready to talk about how they shared the love of Jesus with others during the week and how they can pray for their friends.

Kids’ Community Theater is much more than putting together a fun musical. It is a place where children and adults grow in faith alongside each other in a way that brings joy to others.