A cavalcade of superheroes — including Superman, Batman and Spider-Man — wandered around the front of the chapel at Second Baptist Church before asking the two shepherds sitting at a table up front a simple question.

“Have you guys seen the new superhero, Jesus?”

On Saturday night, Second Baptist held its annual Christmas ceremony, entitled “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” which featured musical and dance performances celebrating the holiday. The play was the marquee event during the hour-long show, and featured a few unusual casting decisions.

Playing the group of he

A cavalcade of superheroes — including Superman, Batman and Spider-Man — wandered around the front of the chapel at Second Baptist Church before asking the two shepherds sitting at a table up front a simple question.

“Have you guys seen the new superhero, Jesus?”

On Saturday night, Second Baptist held its annual Christmas ceremony, entitled “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” which featured musical and dance performances celebrating the holiday. The play was the marquee event during the hour-long show, and featured a few unusual casting decisions.

Playing the group of heroes were members of the church’s youth group. Dowagiac Fire Chief Guy Evans and Director of Public Safety Steven Grinnewald played the two older men.

“The play gave them a chance to show off a different side of their personality and to have a little fun,” said Gene Staples, the pastor at Second Baptist.

Staples said he reached out to the two public officials to participate in the Christmas program to give them the opportunity to interact with the community in a different manner than they are normally used to.

Staples, who has served as the head of the church for the past two years, understands the importance of strengthening bonds with men and women he serves, he said.

“We are all new, young leaders trying to build relationships with the community,” he said. “The play gave us a chance to express unity, in a not-so-serious environment.”

It’s this kind of outreach that Staples wants to expand on with the launch of Second Baptist’s new fine arts department, whose first production was Saturday’s Christmas program. Staples and his staff have been trying to start the initiative since last year in hopes of providing a positive creative outlet for the people of Dowagiac, both young and old.

“We want to provide an open stage for musicians, actors, comedians and other performers, and provide them with an audience,” Staples said.

The pastor wants the program to grow to the point of offering monthly events such as concerts and plays, free of charge to everyone in the community.

“We want to provide positive entertainment that is not only fun but also family oriented and educational,” Staples said.

In addition to live performances, the church will start hosting a monthly movie night, playing Christian- and family-themed films for residents.

“We don’t have a community center, so we’re working to provide that service to Dowagiac,” Staples said.

Staples is quite familiar with putting together elaborate media productions. The former resident of South Bend used to work as producer with WNDU before coming to the Dowagiac church.

“Because of my former job, I’m used to talking with youth about the most critical subjects of their lives,” he said.

One of the main goals of the program is to help bridge the gaps that exist within the city’s population, be they racial, economic or gender based, Staples said. Next month, the church will host a town hall meeting to iron out plans for the program’s future.

“It’s important for us to make the community better, that is our genuine desire,” Staples said. “It’s already a nice place to live, and we want to make it even better.”