Tom Gunn’s monumental faith has inspired him to take on a task that some say can only be described as "God sized."

"I believe this is our opportunity to impact Artesia and the surrounding region," Gunn said in a recent interview as he described First Baptist Church’s production of "The Bride" that he has been planning and organizing for more than two years.

Using a wide range of media including music, drama, ballet, pyrotechnics and lighting effects, the production will communicate God’s holiness, His purpose in creation and His desire for a bride (the church), Gunn said.

"I think all the things, including the ballet, solos and drama, communicate incredibly Christ’s provision, preparation and tremendous love for His bride," he said, adding that the story presented in "The Bride" shows who the church is and whose the church is.

The production, scheduled for 7 p.m., April 27, 28 and 29 at First Baptist Church at Roselawn and Grand Avenues, is the culmination of years of prayer and preparation.

"I’ve believed for two and a half to three years that "The Bride" was something we needed to do," Gunn said. "I think it has a tremendous message for the church and I also feel like it gives the whole message of the Gospel and not just one part."

Copyrighted by Metro-Church of Edmond, Okla., "The Bride" was written by Dony McGuire and Reba Rambo McGuire more than 20 years ago. It has been performed numerous times by Metro-Church.

Gunn said he first consulted with Pastor Rick Sullivan a couple of years ago to consider the feasibility of producing the program at the church. The church committed the finances about a year ago and began working to bring the program about.

Ninety-eight cast and choir members, nine ballet performers, seven directors and more than 40 persons working in the areas of props, makeup and technical preparation, came forward to be a part of the production.

"All of those people just fell into place and it has become such a God-oriented thing that I almost feel like it’s entirely out of my hands," Gunn said.

He expressed his appreciation to First Baptist Church for committing the prayer and the financial resources to the endeavor and for enduring the stage construction, practice schedules and time demands on those who are involved in the production.

"There’s no way I can thank the cast enough," he added.

Gunn said that he takes no credit for the program and stressed that he believes the group is fulfilling God’s purpose by performing "The Bride" for the community of Artesia.

"I believe this is the right thing at the right time," he said.

The program is free and open to the public. Complementary tickets are available at the church office, although they are not required for admission.

Gunn and his family came to Artesia four years ago from Oak Grove Baptist Church in Cushing, Okla. He previously served as music minister and associate pastor, and also as a youth minister, at churches in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.

He grew up in rural southwest Oklahoma on his family’s farm and attended a small, country school that included grades one through 12, graduating in 1976. He and his wife, Kathy, were married that same year.

Gunn said at age 19 he knew he was to become a music minister after someone in his home church approached him and asked him to consider filling a vacant music minister position.

"Somebody told him I could sing," he said, explaining that he laughed at first but then agreed to temporarily fill the position for two weeks.

He served the two weeks and was asked to stay another week, when he saw God’s purpose for his life.

"The third week I surrendered to the ministry," he said.

Gunn worked in the ministry, attended college and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in August 1987, earning a bachelor’s degree in religion with a minor in church music. He was ordained as a minister in 1989 at First Baptist Church of Cuero, Texas.

The Gunns have two children, Rusty Gunn who was ordained into the ministry in February and is a full-time music and youth minister in Aurora, Mo.; and Brande Gunn who is studying elementary education at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell and is employed by the Artesia School Employees Credit Union.

As minister of music at First Baptist Church, Gunn oversees all the music programs of the church. He also organizes senior adult programs and activities, occasionally performs wedding ceremonies and sometimes provides counseling.

From time to time he travels to Texas and Oklahoma to provide music for revival services.