Faith Matters: "The Witness"
By: Sydney Hart, KARK 4 News
Updated: August 6, 2007
It started as a road show visiting prisons, then it was featured on the Hot Springs city stage for 12 years, but now "The Witness" is celebrating ten years in what organizers still call the "new" amphitheater."I've come to tell you a story that's true," sings Peter in the Hot Springs musical, "The Witness ."
"It's called "The Witness" because it's the story of Jesus through the eyes of apostle Peter," explains president of the board, Judy McEarl.
For years the story of Jesus has come to life before audiences right here in Hot Springs.
What started as a small road show has expanded across the state.
"We started out of one church now there's over 45 different churches from this area, but people travel from Texarkana, Little Rock, Benton, Malvern surrounding areas to be a part of it," adds McEarl.
From the birth of Jesus to the baptism all the actors in the fast-moving scenes are volunteers.
"We know our bottom line is we're a ministry of the gospel of Jesus," says McEarl.
We met up with the man who usually plays Jesus.
When he's not in costume, Stephen Bellomy sports a uniform.
"In my off time I'm a Garland County Sheriff's deputy," explains Bellomy.
Bellomy stepped into the spot light seven years ago, "I sat out in the audience and I watched the show."
A week later Bellomy became part of the show and admits being in "The Witness" softens him while working the streets.
"The same people I see walk this line are the same people I see on the street. A lot of the people are not bad - they just make bad decisions. So I think this helps me keep that compassion for people," explains Bellomy.
