First, a Christmas play, then gifts

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Nathan Walker wants more sass. He it.

The 17-year-old is perched behind a keyboard on the church floor, teaching a younger member of the ministry how to hit all the right notes in her big Christmas play vocal solo. More pizzazz is the answer, he says.

It’s a Friday evening in Homestead, and they only have 24 hours until the Lamb of God Christian Ministries’ performance of “A Christmas Awakening.” The Christmas play is written, directed and cast by the young people of the church. Most come from tough environments, and look to the church for structure.

“This is what we try to create: an environment where they are pushed a little bit to bring out the greatness that is in them,” says church administrator Sharon Ward. “We don’t let them sit back and do nothing. We encourage them.”

On Saturday, they were to perform. On Sunday, they will receive. With help from the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, Lamb of God will hand out toys to their youth on Christmas Eve, a practice they have been doing for 18 years.

Lamb of God started as a small choir group, but moved into its current spot on Ann Street in 2000 to form a congregation. The church has more children than adults, with a median age of about 20, but everyone lends a hand to its success. On this evening, the children and teenagers are running a rehearsal of the play, which was free and open to the public the following night.

Other members are in the background, painting walls and helping with upkeep of the old building. Pastor Terrance Walker is on the ground, working hard to fire up a heater.

Nathan is the pastor’s grandson, and exemplifies the church’s musical focus. He won the West Mifflin High School talent show the night before. But he is just one