John Wesley, or someone that looked very much like him, made a special appearance in West Siloam Springs, Okla., on Sept. 30.
The famed theologian who founded the Methodist Church rode a horse up to visit the Butterfield Cabin for a dinner theater fundraiser. Wesley was played by actor B.J. Johnston and the event was held to raise money for Johnston’s ministry, Word by Heart.
The event was hosted by Dr. Larry and Genia Van Dyck, owners of the Butterfield Cabin. Ron and Sandra Mooney, and Bob and Cathi Coleman were also instrumental in organization of the fundraiser, Genia Van Dyck said.
A total of 65 guests attended the fundraiser, which included a homemade meal and handmade cobblers by Ruth Lowe. The event, which included a silent auction, brought in more than $5,200, with money continuing to come in.
B.J. Johnston and his wife Karen, originally from Siloam Springs, have spent the past several years traveling the world setting up Word by Heart Schools in locations such as Russia, Bulgaria, China, Canada, Guyana, Brazil, Switzerland, Egypt, England and New Zealand.
Word by Heart, which is a part of Youth With A Mission, uses theatrical techniques to teach people to memorize up to 90-minute passages from the Bible by heart, Johnston said. The technique includes teaching people to create pictures of the story in their mind that almost become like memories, he said. When people retell the Bible passage, it sounds like they are telling a story from personal experience, even though they are quoting word for word. This storytelling technique encourages students to dwell and meditate on scripture, and brings the Bible to life in a way that touches many hearts in their audiences, Johnston said.
Johnston has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in theater and fine arts. He performed thousands of one-man shows at Six Flags Over Georgia, as well as one-man educational plays in hundreds of schools.
Johnston studied the life of John Wesley for many years before creating a one-man educational act about the theologian’s life. The information incorporated in “The Man From Aldersgate,” was compiled from Wesley’s own journals by playwright Brad Smith, he said.
Johnston brings Wesley to life by sharing about his life history, faith and the important lessons he learned through his career. Each of his plays are unique because he engages with the audience and incorporates his surroundings into the act. For example, at the Van Dyck’s he incorporated the horse, blacksmith shop and even a pet dog that happened to wander through the crowd into the act.
During the evening, Janice Lowe provided live piano music and her husband Steve Lowe entertained guests by working in the on sight blacksmith shop. Guests also got a chance to watch artist John Lassiter IV work on plein air paintings, and one of his paintings of the cabin was later auctioned off. It was bought by Randy Torres and presented to the Van Dycks.
More information about Word by Heart is available online at www.wordbyheart.org or by contacting Johnston at [email protected]. Donations to Johnston’s ministry can be mailed to Outreach Center Church at 21181 Oak Ridge Road in Siloam Springs.