In an effort to present wholesome family entertainment and to raise money for charity, the Greater Vision Worship Center and First Midwest Bank have teamed up to present the Joy to the World Christmas Dinner and Comedy Show. The show starts at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Worship Center’s location of 202 N. Bedford Street, Puxico.
The charity is the Stoddard County Children’s Home. The nonprofit organization has been providing foster children, as many as 200 in a year, with houseparents and a positive home experience for over forty years.
“The Children’s Home is often overlooked,” said Marty Bryant. “We are hoping to be a great blessing to them.”
Bryant is the Worship Center’s pastor and a gospel singer/songwriter. He will be singing Silent Night and performing a saxophone solo piece.
Bryant will be joined for a reenactment of the Nativity by Angelic Signs, a local drama group that specializes in supplementing performances with American Sign Language.
Headlining the show will be Brandon Skelton. Known as the Church Comedian, Skelton is pastor of New Mercy Church in Maury County, Tennessee. He is on staff at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and coaches middle school football. He has performed at the Third Coast Comedy Club in Nashville as part of the 2019 Clean Comedy Challenge.
Also on stage will be T.G. Turkey and the Drumstickers, a troupe of local amateur actors and children. Bryant describes their show as holiday hilarity involving mischievous elves, a scrawny turkey, a big chicken and a determined chef. Although he did not want to give away too much of the performance, he said that it would involve costumes, comedy and KFC buckets.
The dinner menu for the event is grilled chicken breast loaded with bacon and cheese, ham, baked potatoes, a side salad and rolls followed by dessert. Drinks will be tea, water or lemonade. A half-priced children’s option of a peanut butter and jelly Uncrustable, chips, juice box and fresh fruit or vegetables will also be available.
Tickets to the comedy show are selling fast.
“I’d love to see this sell out and have an even bigger event next year,” said Bryant. The Greater Vision Worship Center has plans to host other events and contribute to more local charities.
Anyone interested in the event can text joyinfo to 573-772-9847. Those wishing to purchase tickets can call Jennifer Jones at 573-429-4163 or go to greatervisionpuxico.com.