Embassies of Christ Kingdom Ministries (EOC) begins their three-week series of lectures on abstinence in February. After the sessions are complete, there is a play called “True Love Waits.” The lectures are designed to help teenagers understand how important it is to remain sexually pure until marriage.
The play will be held in EOC’s sanctuary Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. and Feb 25 at 5 p.m. Admission is free and people of all ages are invited. During the lectures teens can ask questions about relationships and sex without being judged. The play which follows the three week lecture series, was written by Joy Oliver, the EOC’s youth minister.
Oliver has been helping the youth since she was 18 years old. She has been writing plays for True Love Waits for five years. Oliver stresses that to get teens to open up, you must be open with them.
“When we become adults, we tend to forget how it was being a teen. I’m very transparent, I don’t mind sharing my mistakes. Once I start opening up, the teens start to ask questions and open up as well,” stated Oliver.
Joy holds nothing back when talking to the teens, because there are a lot of parents who don’t discuss these topics with their children.
The play is centered on a young girl who is in a relationship and how she has to deal with a lot of twists and turns. The play is used as a follow up from the lectures. “Instead of them going through it themselves, they see a visual of what could happen if certain choices are made.
I want people to understand I wrote this play for all ages, everyone will learn something from watching,” said Oliver. The audience gets bigger every year, and the play gets better.
“I love the city of Gary, I believe there is so much potential here. If we give them the knowledge they need, they will be the ones who will cause change.”
