DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / November 4, 2000

LAPLACE – First Baptist Church of LaPlace is already preparing for its annual Christmas production. Often a large scale event, previousproductions have been performed at the St. John Theater.This year a new minister of music is organizing the production, “That’s The Good News.” Paul Reaves, new to First Baptist, has been at the churchfor a month but has been involved in such productions for years. CurrentlyReaves is attending the New Orleans Baptist Seminary as well as serving as minister of music for the church.

Reaves has been around music all his life. One of his earliest memories ifof being at his aunt’s house when he was 3. There was an old stump in theyard that reminded him of a pulpit, and he’d stand behind and lead the imaginary church in song, said Reaves.

When he was 21 Reaves felt like he was called to music ministry, but instead pursued the computer industry. From 1982 to 1999 Reaves workedin the computer field until he finally followed his heart into ministry.

“This is something I wish I had done years ago,” said Reaves. “It wasknown all my life, but I took a long time to realize it.”Reaves is excited to minister at First Baptist Church. There are 35members on the rolls as singers in the choir, the Glory Singers.

The Christmas performance, which is a musical, will use the choir for much of the music. The cast is comprised with various members of thechurch. Carrie Walker, church secretary, will be directing the acting.The show revolves around a Nebraska radio station operator and is fairly contemporary, said Reaves.

The musical caught Reaves’ ear as he listened to a sample from the publisher. The work is not too simple and not too hard and has dramaticparts, “which is what we like doing,” said Reaves.

Excited about the play, Reaves is also confident it will turn out wonderful.

“We do things as a team. No person is more important than another,” saidReaves. With hundreds of tasks that need to be done for a show to go oncorrectly, Reaves gives credit everybody in their combined efforts.

The performance will be free and Reaves invites everyone to attend. Theshow will take place Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church in LaPlace.

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