After nearly 2,000 miles, 29 days, at least 1,637 hellos and goodbyes, we are back, to the joy (or chagrin if you saw the video blog) of the staff at City on a Hill. Let me answer a few common FAQs for you, Dear Blog-type Reader.

Q. Does Kevin really sing like that?
Yes. And he loves to sing, loudly, especially in cars—the automobile’s vinyl ceiling structure apparently heightens his Barry Manilow-like resonance. I love it.

Q. Do you really have enough friends to be gone a month?
Uhhh…no, but Meghan has gathered quite a fan base around the country. And, when Kev and I are on our medication, we can be fairly friendly as well. Plus we bring snacks.

Q. What do you do there?
We catch up with friends…and their now-grown children! (Some we’ve known for over 20 years! It’s sad…they seem to be getting older while we remain so young looking.) We also meet new friends and talk about what City is doing. And most of these visits surround food and our videos! So we eat lots of Chick-fil-a, home-cooked meals, and desserts while we tell stories and catch up. It’s like Old Home Week, “Show&Tell,” and a church social mashed together.

Q. Have you always fundraised? (Is “Fundraised” a word?)
“Fundraised” is not a word, but don’t feel badly about it. The English language is flexible and ever changing. Keep using such imaginary words and they may eventually catch on. I say we call it FUNraising instead! BTW: We’ve “FUNraised” for nearly 15 years.

Q. What do you do with poor Meghan?
Of course all of the events and people meeting can be overwhelming, but she’s who people want to see, so we take her with us. And now she has friends in each city so she spends as much time as she can “hanging” with her local “peeps.” Word.

Q. What about you?
You may remember I’ve struggled with panic disorder for over 20 years.

Q. That’s what I’m asking about.
These two trips were, by far, the best for me and nearly panic-free! I did all of the events and was totally flexible. Just doing two trips in a month is miraculous.

Q. Do you like doing this?
Fundraising is one of the best and most difficult things I’ve ever done (the others being child rearing, home schooling, and marriage…not necessarily in that order). I love keeping up with dear friends from where we’ve lived. But it’s difficult for me to rely on others for support and I certainly don’t want others to feel pressure. Fortunately, God’s kindness prevails and we have lots of friends in many places who love and support us with their prayers, friendship, and resources. And for that I am incredibly thankful.

Q. How did Kevin deal with the “abandonment issues” he described in the video blog?
As always, with his trademark kindness and love. Um…actually, he goes straight into editing the Easter Experience so he might continue to “feel” gone as a result of being holed up his office for the rest of the summer. Party on!

This is the first in a series of behind-the-scenes shorts which will chronicle the saga we are right in the middle of, as we get ready to roll cameras on June 30th. That will be the day we start shooting what we call THE EASTER EXPERIENCE. This summer we will be shooting for 8 weeks capturing footage for two separate projects, both of which deal with the life, death and the most compelling part of Christ’s story, His return from the grave!

The first project is a six-part series in which Kyle Idleman (H2O host) takes the viewer on a vivid exploration of Christ’s passion and resurrection. Kyle invites each of us to take an intimate and relevant look at the claims of Jesus–undeniably the most controversial and yet significant person who has ever walked this planet. The second project is capturing all the dramatic footage to be used in Southeast Christian‘s 2008 Easter Pageant. This total make-over of the Easter Pagaent will incorporate 4 large screens (near IMAX size) and provide a unique vehicle for interaction between on-stage actors and dramatic footage shot on-location. This hybrid stage/cinema performance is expected to draw over 80,000 people and will truely be unlike anything ever seen before.

Combining these two projects into one makes this the largest endeavor yet for City on a Hill Productions. You will see what it takes to write 2 compelling scripts, audition the best actors, move logistical mountains, and build Jerusalem in central Kentucky. Listen as members of the crew share their thoughts and concerns. Hear from the Director (Shane Sooter) as he describes his passion for filmaking and pursuit of quality. But most of all, we hope you will see God at work…making something out of nothing, offering strength when we need sustaining, bringing peace to times of pressure, and carrying us through to the end!

Thanks for walking into our world…enjoy the view!

Kevin Bryan
Media Director, City on a Hill