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By Janelle Visser
Anyone who’s spent time in another country where they don’t speak the language has likely experienced the cross-cultural game of charades
that replaces verbal communication. Scooping hand in front of mouth = let’s eat; folded hands against the face = I’m tired; and so on.
DRIME, which stands for Disciples Ready In Mobile Evangelism, has taken this
form of cross-linguistic communication to a whole new level. By using
choreographed drama set to music, DRIME seeks to communicate the message of the
gospel in a unique and powerful way.
Founded 15 years ago out of Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C., DRIME
originally began as a localized street ministry. It is now spreading to
different corners of the world through short-term trips and establishing
permanent international bases. DRIME now operates under the umbrella of Power
to Change.
DRIME founder and executive director Tanya Price recently spoke to Options about the DRIME vision.
“Drama crosses language barriers,” she said. “Everyone can understand a message of hope, freedom and redemption. Many will not
understand our words, but they will all understand our movements and the themes
we represent. We’ve often had people come to us and say things like ‘I’m totally that person in chains’; or ‘I was the one in the box’'; or ‘I never knew Jesus was still alive until I saw him represented as alive in these
dramas.’”
In DRIME dramas, visual appearance plays a crucial role. The actor playing Jesus
always wears white, while all other characters are dressed in black.
Official DRIME mission trips have included travels to more than 10 countries,
including Argentina, Ireland, Russia, Kenya and Sudan. Other teams have been
trained through DVDs and workshops, enabling DRIME dramas to be performed in
many more countries, from Haiti to Cambodia and beyond.
DRIME has also set up permanent bases in Brazil, launched in 2004; and in Kenya,
launched in 2007. They hope to set up many more bases, both across North
America and internationally.
On the immediate horizon, they anticipate opening new North American chapters
this fall, in Kingston and San Diego. Additionally, they expect to launch two
new international bases by the end of next year, in Asuncion, Paraguay and
Cotonou, Benin.
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“Our hope is that when we are setting up an official DRIME base or chapter, we
are establishing more than just an active street drama ministry,” said Price, “but also a resource centre of sorts – a DRIME team that will operate just like DRIME here, but within their own
cultural norms; a DRIME team that will regularly minister on the streets, train
other teams, and help empower others.”
A lot of factors go into the establishment of new DRIME bases. “In most cases,” said Price, “it’s a combination of someone locally, in the new city or country, who has a heart
and vision for DRIME in that community – coupled with our teams doing several successful mission trips to that place.”
To support the new base, one or more DRIME members need to spend an extended
amount of time in the new location, recruiting and training leaders. Finally,
said Price, when “we sense that all the other pieces are falling into place,” such as “a supportive host organization, potential local leaders, ripe harvest field, et
cetera, then we go forward.”
Beyond the tangible goals of establishing new bases, Price said, DRIME leaders
have an ultimate goal: “Making Jesus inescapable.” They hope to see bases in every major city across Canada and eventually the
world, so that “the presence of Jesus – the ‘one in white’ – would be represented on every street corner.”
There are many ways for young Canadians to get involved in DRIME ministries.
First, join a Friday or Saturday night team, if you’re local to Vancouver, B.C., and are 18 or older. Second, attend one of many
workshops in B.C., Alberta or Ontario. Third, if you’re over 18, apply to join one of DRIME’s Spring or Summer mission trips. Finally, you can order a DRIME Training DVD
and learn from home; or start your own team.
Visit www.drime.com or email info@drime.com for more info.
August 2009
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