If you happen to attend the Bible Baptist Church’s 19th annual presentsation of "The Jesus Story" at Felician College in Lodi, you may recognize some familiar faces. Current and former Clifton residents take part in the production every year. In fact, for some it has become an annual family tradition.

Some of the locals in the production are: Eric Hicks who plays Pharisee #1 - he started his involvement a number of years back as the stage manager. Rey Arias plays a shepherd, and a thief on the cross.Rey has been in the play for a number of years and is best known for his portrial of "the blind man". Rey’s sister Elizabeth, plays a dancing girl and his sisters Alina and Gracie work back stage. Camille Pipitone is part of the choir and has performed solo performances in the Miracle Scene in past years. Ed Rojas plays John the Baptist, Nicodemus and is the arc angel singing at the Resurrection.

Ed’s wife Marlen, has been prop manager for several years and is now joined with their daughter Nikki. The Arias family literally grew up being a part of this outreach ministry. Former Cliftonite Bob Sidoti plays Pharisee #3 his wife, Donna, has played Salome, The Virgin Mary's sister, this year she is the crippled child's mother in the miracle scene. The Sidoti’s daughter Hannah and their son Zach are in the play.

The schedule for 2008 is Friday, March 14, at 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Palm Sunday, March 15-16, at 4:00 p.m., Thursday and Good Friday, March 20-21 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free There are over 1,000 seats available on a first come basis. The goal of the ministry is to make the play available to all who would like to attend. A free will offering will be taken.

Eighteen years ago a small group of Christians presented a meager glimpse of the Passion of Christ through a Passion Play. Since that time the production outgrew the staging at the church. A volunteer cast and technical crew of over 100 men, women and children commit to bringing this heart changing true story to thousands of people. Through the collaboration of the Cultural & Community Affairs Division of Felician College, The Jesus Story has affected the lives of all who have come to see it. This year's rendition will tug at your heartstrings through the lives of the women that surrounded Jesus. You'll see the Angel Gabriel bring the Local Residents Perform The Passion announcement to a teenage peasant girl (the Virgin Mary), that she would give birth to the Son of God, as well as scenes with Mary and her older sister Salome. As they follow Jesus through His ministry years, you will catch a glimpse of Jesus' love and forgiveness with the woman at the well, and His many miracles, including the raising from the dead of a widow's only child.

Bill Hegedus, Pastor of Bible Baptist Church, and director of The Jesus Story insists that the purpose of the play is not to entertain, but to present the love of God for a lost and dying world. Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose to adopt us into His family by bringing us to Himself through the death of His Son on the cross. God sent His Son to earth and offered Him as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. The Bible says that whoever believes this and accepts this will live forever with Him in Heaven. "Jesus is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through Him"- Acts 4:12 You may visit their web-site at www.biblebaptist.net for more information. Click on Events. Those with no internet access may call 201-288-4139, Press 2.