OUR AUTHORS
LEE KOFAHL
Lee Kofahl, Director of Creative Arts at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia, California, has been writing, producing, and directing Christian drama sketches for over a decade. Inspired by the words of Titus 2:10, “. . . Make the teaching about God our Savior attractive,” she endeavors to produce drama that is meaningful and relatable in modern day culture. Though created to be presented for church services, these short dramatizations are a delight when read with children. Lee speaks at Pastors’ conferences on the value of creativity in church services, she teaches children’s drama classes, and meets weekly with her writers’ group. She has four grown children and four winsome grandchildren. She and her husband, Victor, happily share their home with Oscar, their entitled cat.
JOHN L. MASTROGIOVANNI, D. MIN.
Dr. John has been an ordained minister for over thirty years. His fundamental call is to empower and energize ministers, both young and seasoned, to fulfill their call and purpose. His message to the Church at large is “...may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe...” (John 17:21). He ministers across denominational lines, speaking in different seminar venues and churches across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. He is the founding pastor of Oasis of the Valley (formally Jesus Is Lord Christian Center). His wife and partner in ministry, Karen is the senior pastor. Together they founded Foundation Rock Ministries International, ministering to pastors and churches. For more information, visit www.TogetherAsOne.net
OUR BOOKS
This book is unavailable while we create a new, larger version that includes dramas for both Advent and Lent. But check out the preview below...
Inspired by Luke 2:40, “And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom,” CONVERSATIONS is a collection of four drama sketches designed to be presented during the four weeks of Advent. The sketches take us on an imaginary journey into the life of Jesus as a young child seeking answers. In the first sketch, we listen in on a conversation with his grandmother. In the following weeks, Jesus has dialogues with his cousin, John the Baptist; with Satan; and finally, with his elderly relative, Elizabeth. These poignant interactions were written to build a bridge from present time back to when this young child, who is God incarnate, came to connect with us for a very unique purpose.
Each sketch is easily staged, runs about five minutes, and requires two actors. The book includes director’s notes garnered from Lee’s 15 years of experience, as well as staging ideas. Each sketch has a short devotion for children, which can also be adapted as the children’s message.
MELCHIZEDEK: OUR GRACIOUS KING-PRIESTHOOD IN CHRIST
VOLUME 1, REVISED SECOND EDITION by Dr. John L. Mastrogiovanni, D. Min.
Among the most relevant spiritual issues of this hour are the contrasts of Grace vs. Law, Faith vs. Works, and Good vs. Evil. Until now, Christians have tried to balance one with the other, and in doing so, have unknowingly diluted the revelation of the Gospel at its core. This increases the struggle to touch humanity with the message of Christ, as it seems the unbeliever is wise to the conflict and has no desire to embrace the frustration such religiosity brings to spirituality.
In order for the Church at large to resolve the conflict of religiosity and spirituality, we must rethink and embrace the high-priestly ministry found in Christ Jesus, known as the Order of Melchizedek. When we think of being kings and priests as the scripture states, we often think of the Aaronic high-priest entering the Holy of Holies to sacrifice a lamb for the sins of the people. But in the New Testament, quoting King David from Psalms, we read that Jesus is a high priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. Why, then, do we insert Christ into the practices of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood? Who is Melchizedek? How is this Melchizedekian order different from the Aaronic order? Surely Christ (the Messiah) is not a high-priest with a dagger in His hand, slaying a lamb.
The scripture adds there’s much to say about this Melchizedek, but it’s difficult to explain. Why? Could it be that in Melchizedek, the Mosaic Law, its commandments, and its temple aren’t relevant in the way we’ve traditionally applied them? If so, what does holy living look like?
Within the pages of “Melchizedek: Our Gracious King-Priesthood in Christ” we will discover the enigmas regarding this king-priesthood, founded in the very origins of creation and the Garden of Eden. If Adam’s partaking of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil brought the fall and death to humanity, why do we Christians believe that preaching good and evil will bring Life?
This study-book can change how we perceive everything in both the physical and spiritual worlds as we know them, and open up the reality of the priesthood we have in Christ because we, too, are of the order of Melchizedek!