NATCHEZ &045;&045; The use of theater arts to send spiritual messages appealed immediately to Percy Ferguson when he encountered members of the Joshua Squad during orientation at Belhaven College in Jackson.

A 2003 Cathedral High School

graduate and a Natchez native, Ferguson has found the creative outlet of theater meshes well with the strict regimen of a biology major. Further, the Joshua Squad provides a way for him to be a witness for his faith.

&uot;The Joshua Squad allows me to be more active, artistic and creative. And it’s a way to reach out to people as God as asked us to do,&uot; he said.

The troupe takes its name from the biblical character Joshua, whose

story unfolds in the opening chapter of the book of Joshua &045;&045; a dramatic turn in the arduous trek of the Israelites to their new homeland.

Moses was dead. He would not cross the Jordan River with the people he had coddled and cajoled for so many years of journeying from Egypt.

Instead, Joshua would lead, bolstered by

God’s urging, &uot;As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you … Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.&uot;

With the Israeli leader as a model, the troupe sees their mission as carrying out God’s work through skits, light comedy, dance and mime.

&uot;Joshua led the people into the promised land,&uot; Ferguson said. &uot;We try to lead people to the Scriptures so they can follow Christ.&uot;

In May, Ferguson and some others in the group will travel to Japan, where they will perform at schools, churches and public meetings.

&uot;We’re looking for people of all ages when we perform,&uot; he said.

The troupe was established by Dr. Lou Campbell, head of the theater department at Belhaven. In travels around the United States and to other countries, the troupes have inspired the creation of theater groups in several other places, including foreign lands.

&uot;I’m very much a shy person,&uot; Ferguson said.

&uot;That’s one thing about Joshua Squad. We do mime in white face. Once you get into the role, it frees you to reach out.&uot;

Troupe members learn to apply their own makeup and have to do it quickly and well. They wear black pants and loose white shirts.

&uot;You’ll see that we all make a little tear under the left eye as part of the makeup. That is for all the people in our audiences who don’t know Christ, who have not opened up to him,&uot; Ferguson said.

To take part in the trip to Japan, Ferguson and the others who are going will raise $2,000 each for their expenses. They will stay for a month to carry out their ministry.

&uot;I’m now working toward a second $1,000,&uot; he said.

Anyone wanting to donate to the program should send a check to Joshua Squad in care of Belhaven College, 1500 Peachtree St., Box 635, Jackson, MS 39202.

Ferguson is the son of the late Percy Ferguson and Glenda Ferguson and the grandson of John and Sadie Bacon of Natchez.

He grew up attending Mount Zion Baptist Church with his grandmother and recalls some strong influences from his early years there.

Ferguson believes all people should try to pursue what they enjoy.

He likes biology and will let it take him where it leads him, perhaps to medical school. The theater work allows him to be himself freely and to fulfill his desire to help people.

&uot;I’ve always felt the need to help people, mostly in a physical way,&uot; he said.

&uot;This gives me a way to focus more on the spiritual. I am learning how to use what I learn to worship and exalt Jesus Christ and to do my duty to bring the gospel to all nations so that all may worship him.&uot;