We are very excited to finally be announcing Solace Theatre, which will be officially opening with our first production this summer: the world premiere of...

FRACTURED: THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE

While we never thought we would open a theatre, but so many others were certain it was what our future held. We disagreed. We were made to be playwrights, storytellers, musicians; surely there was someone else who would take up the gauntlet of opening a Christian community theatre in Raleigh. God had other plans.

Finally, in the summer of 2017, God put a twist in our story and made it obvious that if we wanted to produce excellent Christian musicals in the Raleigh area, we would have to make it happen ourselves. Still, we resisted. As much as we love the production side of theatre, perhaps those cards just weren't in our hands. God had other plans.

As fall came and the leaves turned, our hearts began to warm up to the idea that maybe everyone else was right - maybe we were supposed to start a theatre - but there were so many things in our way. There didn't seem to be time to think seriously about the idea. We shared our thoughts with close friends, seeking advice and hearing their hearts desires. Maybe we were supposed to start a theatre, but that was in the distant future. It wasn't now. God had other plans.

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In November, tragedy struck us, and our community, deeply. Wilson Brant was as close as a brother to us. He was a strong encourager, and fervently believed that there was no time to waste; the harvest was ready for the reaping. After he left us for his eternal home, we wished we had started Solace much sooner, so he could have been a part of this dream God had been growing in us. We can't turn back time, but moving forward, we have no time to waste; we had learned how precious time truly is.

The following months were spent deep in research, prayer, brainstorming, and seeking advice from mentors and close friends. The dream was becoming a reality, and God had prepared the way so well. We suddenly felt like we had been Jonah, running away from what God was calling us to. Fear, anxiety, and doubt had been holding us back, and when we stopped running, a joy and peace began to fill our lives in pursuit of His will.

There is still a long road ahead of us, but we are grateful to be in a place where we can speak openingly about what God has been doing through us and in us during these months of mourning and discovery. We are confident that, while there are still so many puzzle pieces to find and put in place, He will provide it all in His timing. We are simply along for the ride.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A STORY OF SOLACE

Erin Phillips

MURDER AT THE GOLDEN LILY!

VALUES OF SOLACE: EXPLORE

VALUES OF SOLACE: ENGAGE

VALUES OF SOLACE: ENTERTAIN

VALUES OF SOLACE: THE GOAL

YOUR FIRST ACTING RESUME