What started as a small play for the congregation at Oakland Chapel Church has grown into a production of Biblical proportions.

On April 29 and 30, Jeremiah 38 Ministries will host its sixth annual musical drama, “Life of Christ,” at the Ironton High School auditorium.

The performance for Saturday, April 30 is already sold out, said co-director Becky Bowling, but tickets are still available for the Friday, April 29 show. Tickets are $15 and include a dinner at 5 p.m. before the show begins at 7 p.m. Friday’s menu is Italian cuisine and Saturday’s meal is barbeque with all the fixings.

There will also be special singing one hour before each performance.

“If there ever was a time people needed to hear the story of Christ, it’s now,” Bowling said.

This year, 19 churches with 125 cast members of all ages are involved in the production, which chronicles the life of Jesus Christ from his birth to the Ascension. Directors are Bowling, Connie Lynd and Shelley Pinkerman.

Bowling said some new additions have been made this year, including Pontius Pilate at the trial of Christ and a new ending.

“We want people to see Jesus through our presentation,” Bowling said.

Proceeds from the drama go towards Jeremiah 38 Ministries medical mission trips. Upcoming trips will be to Peru, Honduras and Ecuador.

Lynd said the mission trips add to the participants’ focus and drive of the play, including her own. Lynd said a previous mission trip to Peru greatly impacted her and her children’s lives.

“We went to an orphanage, and just to see the conditions of that country…,” Lynd said. “We had kids lining up just because we were handing out new toothbrushes and toothpaste.”

Volunteers on the trips also give out basic mediations like Tylenol and blood pressure pills, vitamins and parasite medications.

Interacting with the children by playing games and doing crafts is a part of the trip also, Lynd said.

“And we present the Gospel to them and tell them how much Jesus loves them,” she said. “We are such a privileged country. We have to share what we have, but we also have to share the story of Christ too.”

Tickets for the “Life of Christ” are available at Jeremiah38.org, at Touch of Grace in Ironton, The Mustard Seed Bookstore in Chesapeake, or by calling Scott and Donna Bowling at 740-643-0282.