November 14, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Production will begin locally next month on a Christian music video based on a new song called “Cries from the Cross” about the crucifixion story. The target date for release is next spring in time for Easter.
“Cries from the Cross” was recently composed as a collaborative work of local talent Vonda Brown and professional Southern Gospel singer/songwriter Johnathan Bond of Young Harmony. The Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church will serve as the onsite location for the video shoot on Saturday, December 18 from 12 noon until 5 p.m.
“I got the idea for this song from a recent pastor event at the church and the name for the song is from another event upcoming on Good Friday called “Seven Cries from the Cross”. That name just stuck with me in my spirit and for three or four days I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. I questioned the Lord about it and then the words for the song started coming to me. It seemed I couldn’t get them typed fast enough. It all happened within three weeks,” said Brown.
After seeing what Brown had written, Bond knew it was something special.
“Vonda reached out to me with some lyrics to the song. She asked me what do you think about co-writing this so we sat down and began to write and ask for God’s direction on it and it just unfolded beautifully. When we were finished writing I said I have an idea. I want to release this to radio for Easter and do a full video,” said Bond.
“We would love to have everybody from DeKalb County come and be part of this. The thing exciting to me is that the cross scene is just not about the believer but the unbeliever. He gave his life for all of us and that is what we want to be able to portray through every bit of this. There are some hard scenes in this video. Of course Jesus will be portrayed on the cross in the middle with the thief that mocked him on one side and on the other side will be the one who cried out for mercy. There will be people in the crowd who criticize Jesus and others who say God we can’t do this but there will be a lot of compassion shown through all of it and then we will actually be inside the church with the entire praise team here along with Johnathan Bond and Young Harmony. We are looking forward to it,” said Bond.
Extras are needed for the video shoot.
“We are asking those who are willing to be a part of this taping to be at the church by 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th. You will be required to sign a release before taping begins. If you would like to be in the Cross scene, you must wear your own biblical costume. For the praise team participants inside the church It is casual wear. The actual production will take place from 12 noon until 5 p.m. at the church on December 18,” said Brown