The Big Show James River Christmas video footage by Johnny Rooster/CCT Dec. 2, 2023
By Johnny Rooster, Christian County Trumpet
OZARK, MO — The Big Show. The Big Church. Hard to miss. Every Christmas season, the big JESUS sign in front of the big church on U.S. 65 and CC. Yes, it’s all about Jesus. The reason for the season. And, it’s a time for a Big Show, too!
Yes indeedy, friends, the Big Church has a Big Show every Christmas. Thousands of faithful and hundreds of curious sightseers pack the house for 3 Big Saturday Shows, followed by 3 equally Big Sunday Shows in “A James River Christmas.”
Me, I’m no stranger to the Big Church. Or the Big Show.
I was on the camera crew when it was born in the old building (before the EV Free Church bought it for a mere million bucks back around the turn of the New Millennium! )
Since moving into the Big Green Roof Building in 2000, James River Assem— sorry, they outgrew the Assemblies of God Fellowship years ago — James River Church expanded it’s Big Christmas Show. After working out acoustic and lighting issues, the church pulled the lever on what a BIG budget looks like for Christmas. Each year was a topper, 2001, 2002, 2003, then came 2004.
Wow, oh, jiminy Christmas, that was a show of shows. A huge veil dropped and revealed the choir behind a Nashville professional singer hired for the occasion. Apparently, a massive choir and scores of talented pretty faces that audition to get on stage for leading singing and playing instruments weren’t enough!
I remember watching that show and reveling at the jib (boom arm operated camera swooping over the choir. And the dude with the harness camera. That was a big, cool, new shiny object back in ’04!
Back to the Present 2023 Big Show
2023 JAMES RIVER CHRISTMAS/PHOTO BY JOHNNY ROOSTER, CHRISTIAN COUNTY TRUMPET
The Big Show wasn’t as amazing for a while. You can’t beat the graphics and flashery of ’04.
But, you can outdo the tech of those days. ALSO nowadays, they have more camera operators. Young guys, doing what I did, with studio sized handheld cameras, wearing all black, just like I did. Then they have the stationary cameras parked in the audience. And, of course, lots of volume and jumbo screens. Loud, high energy SNL type videos. Extravagant gift giveaways. Cookies for everyone. Confetti snow showers. Christmas decorations descending from the ceiling. Pyrotechnique’s. Acrobats. Singers. Musicians (some with beanies because they are so hip!) A nativity with live animals and a real baby Jesus. A strong Biblical message and healing service. Salvations and lives committed to Christ. And, of course, pleas for money and donations.
CCT Reactions to the Big Show
Interesting takes from the Big Show 2023 (I haven’t been part of the James River Church scene since 2011)
- It’s still loud Like The Who and other loud bands, James River isn’t afraid to crank it up! From the moment Lead Pastor John Lindell’s youngest son Brandon grabbed the mic and shrieked at the crowd, “Who’s ready for a James River Christmas?” it was akin to a sports announcer booming out a Main Event Wrestling intro! https://youtu.be/XD24SxwXfSs
- It’s Big on Asking for $$$ The Big Show Big Screen was quickly blasting the merits of tithing and giving money, money, money for all the new visitors to see. Jeesh! They even have an example video of how much to give ($250). Wowzers. That’s like, ok, we want your money, honey!
- They kept introducing the Big Show From live mic to screen announcers, they kept saying “Are you ready for a James River Christmas?” like, start the gig already!
- The elves have boundless energy handing out gifts The Big Show appeals to greed, and desire. Elves hand out free coffee to people in the aisles, then go to free bikes, Barbie sets, and even live animals. A CHICKEN and a PUPPY were handed out to stunned audience members! What’s a guy gonna do with a live chicken in his lap the entire show? Hope he brought some pellets to feed it! And cleanup could be awkward in a fancy auditorium! BeCAAAAUSE!
- John Lindell is getting old Maybe because I was part of it all during 1997-2011, I’m always surprised to see John Lindell, lead pastor, looking so…gray. Yeah, we all age, but this year, he’s rocking curly locks of gray and a gray beard that’s mostly white under the stage lights. His glasses are super thick, too, making him definitely a grandpa vibe!
Pastor John Lindell not so long ago/file photo ripped off the Internet
“Rapidly aging John Lindell ” taken from screen Dec. 2, 2023 by Johnny Rooster/CCT
6. They predict illnesses and ailments Lindell’s message was spot on, as usual, with the usual noises of babies crying throughout the auditorium. They showed a powerful testimony of transformed lives video. But at the end, Pastor John called for a girl to come out and predict who had what illness so they could pray for healing. “Someone has bronchitis… Someone else has a pain in their right wrist,” etc.
7. I like the altar call I’m all in to the call to action at the end where they have people come forward to accept Christ into their lives. Super inspiring. I always peek to see who is raising their hand in response to the invitation.
8. Big Gifts/ Big Donations Those noisy elves gave away a 2021 Toyota Corolla to a single mom. Pastor John mentioned the year, make and model of the car several times. With six shows, that’s a lot of donation cars to a lot of single moms. Not to mention six puppies, six chickens, six bicycles, you get the idea… and that’s from ONE location! James River has a west campus, a north campus, and maybe another satellite campus that did the same thing, so times three or four all that! I was at the main South Campus in Ozark.
9. Impressive Animal Wranglers The nativity portion of the show after the noisy elves is amazing, too. They have a live camel, live sheep and a donkey. Wow. How do they keep them from doing their business on the stage? How do they keep the animals calm amid lights, big projector screens and booming microphones?
Johnny Rooster/CCT Photo How do they keep those animals from pooping, peeing or freaking out on stage?
10. Budget Still Wild Even in Joe Biden’s recession economy, the Big Church Big Show has a Big Budget. The elf acrobats were nothing short of Las Vegas and Branson quality! The guitar and bass player elves thrashing Christmas tunes would make James Hetfield and Steve Harris jealous! And whoosh, them there Pyrotechnique’s shooting flames were felt hot from the 9th row, baby! Front two rows got the Oppenheimer experience, no doubt! Surprised the ceiling didn’t scorch!
11. Confetti Confession Confetti was dropped like snow from the ceiling. During the stand up and participate portion of the program afterwards, I noticed two grown bald men, one black, one white, with more than a few pieces of confetti settled on their bald domes like sprinkles on Christmas cookies, one chocolate, one vanilla! Oblivious to the large “dandruff” (LOL)!
NOTE: I was kind of surprised that the 5 p.m. Show Saturday wasn’t packed. Plenty of empty seats in the back. Unusual. And the parking lot wasn’t totally full. It was cold and rainy out. Maybe that’s why.
For those of you thinking I’m too tough on the Big Church, I have a Big History that I can’t talk about here! For those thinking I’m too easy on them, BAH HUMBUG!
Merry Christmas!
For more Christiam County, MO happenings and quirky observations, follow ChristianCountyTrumpet.com and Christian County Trumpet on YouTube. (Click highlighted wording for links)