October 1993
Pastors report on drama's outreach
By conservative estimate, more then 48,000 and perhaps as many as 100,000 people have come to Christ as a result of the drama, Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames.
Originated by Assemblies of God Evangelist Bruce Thum, his wife Ruth and their Sunshine Evangelistic Association crusade team, the gospel drama presentation celebrated it's 40th year in 1993.
"It
came about in 1953 as the result of a sermon I had preached in 1952
titled 'Hell Incorporated,'" Bruce Thum explained. "We presented
the drama for the first time in crusades in Columbia, South Carolina
and Charlotte, NC"
Thum said his crusade team had been using gospel dramas in their revival meetings prior to this one. "We had done about 13," he said, "and as far as I know, we were the first to do dramas in the Assemblies of God. We received criticism for it in those days."
Ruth Thum came up with the name, Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames for the drama. "This is one gospel drama God has had his hand on in an unusual way from the beginning," she said. She said the idea of using drama in their evangelistic ministry came about because they realized, as television first became popular back in the 1950's, "that people always remembered what they saw."
This realization lead to the remarkably effective and widely copied drama. The Thums reported that several groups have used Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames throughout the years-some without acknowledging it's origin. "But the wonderful thing is the way the Lord has used this drama to touch so many lives with the gospel," Bruce Thum said. "We give Jesus 100 percent of the glory and praise."
The drama has a strong impact in churches where it is presented. To present it, some 40-60 people and the churches' choir are needed [Ed. note, no longer uses choir]. This not only reaches local people more effectively, it unites church member into a team through the rehearsals and presentations.
Very often, the Evangelist said, hundreds come forward at the alter calls.
"We have presented the drama at least once a month during the 40 years since we developed it," Bruce Thum said," always around a hundred or more come forward for salvation. A conservative estimate of people finding Christ would be 48,000 - and considering that other groups have been using the drama throughout the years, that figure may easily be 1000,00."
Pastors have written testimonies to the effectiveness of Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames in their churches.
"During four consecutive nights of meetings [presenting Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames], more then 400 came to the altars for salvation," Pastor Lewis Clifton said when the drama was presented at Calvary Assembly, Elkhart, IN. "We have found this to be one of the most dramatic ways to present the gospel to people who have a difficult time making a decision to serve the Lord. We had conversions of people for whom our church had been praying for years."
Pastor Bob Rodgers of Evangel Christian Life Center, Louisville, KY, also was excited about the way the Lord used the drama in his church.
"It was presented at our church for 5 nights to capacity crowds of 3,500 people, "Rodgers said. "Some nights people were turned away for lack of room.
"The scenery and lighting effects were beautiful. But the most impressive scene was the 600 or more people who came forward to accept Christ as their personal Savior. Lives were changed, and many found Christ for whom family and friends had prayed for many years."
Full Gospel Assembly, Port Charlotte, FL., reported more then 135 saved during a recent presentation. "Each night of the drama we were filled to capacity, with many standing and many being turned away," Lela Swalls, the church administrator, reported.
Bruce and Ruth Thum agreed that the "staying power" the drama has in lives in one of the most remarkable blessings of their ministry. "I've been an evangelist for more then 40 years," Bruce Thum said. "And as we go back to churches where we ministered years ago, it's a thrill to see many still serving the Lord who got saved as a result of the drama.
He said that the drama has proved to be a very strong tool for reaching Satanists. He told of meeting recently in California where Satanists were saved as a result of the presentation.
Thum said another interesting outcome of Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames presentations has been the number of churches which have organized drama teams and prayer groups. Even after the crusade ended, the groups continued blessing their congregations and reaching out to their communities, he said.
The Thums told exciting examples of individuals who were touched by the drama. "In a recent case," Bruce Thum said, "a thirteen year old girl who accepted Christ told the pastor that she had gotten saved just as she was ready to follow Satan's command to her to "sacrifice' her mom and dad."
In one Houston, TX., church, he said, a divorced couple came to the drama separately - neither knowing the other was there and seated in completely different locations in the church auditorium - and met at the altar. They renewed their dedication to the Lord and to each other.
"Now they are remarried, their children are saved and filled with the Spirit and going to Bible school," he said.