Soul Searchers, an Annapolis-based Christian musical group, made a return trip to perform in Columbia this past week June 26

This year the group performed at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 26, at 7:00 p.m.  The show, friends4ever, a musical that features four high school friends, following them through the challenges and triumphs they face. Co-written by Stephen V. Taylor, Karla Worley, and Michael W. Smith, the play provides an exciting drama that captures the issues faced by today’s youth.

The group, which is in its 42nd year of performing, is directed by Scott and Nicole Hughes, who are both teachers in Maryland’s Anne Arundel County public school system.  Scott is a former Soul Searcher himself.  The group is based out of Eastport United Methodist Church in Annapolis, but is inter-denominational, with children from many area churches.  The kids range in age from fourth graders on up through high school.  A number of the youth have been with the group multiple years.

“Each year it is a different theme. This year’s show has two boys and two girls as the lead characters in the production. One girl falls in with the wrong crowd and the kids try to get her back on the right path. They realize that through following God they can get back on the right path,” said Scott.

A message from Smith inside the provided program expand on some of the ideas Scott mentioned.

“Students today are faced with many challenges and trials-violence, broken homes, drugs, and the strain of relationships. These are just a few in the seemingly endless list. It is so easy to be overcome by the hopelessness that is prevalent everywhere. But as Christians, we can see a light in the darkness-Jesus Christ. He loves his children unconditionally and is He is a true friend-forever,” says Smith in the program.

About 30 kids were in the performance last week.

“The ages range from late elementary on up through high school,” said Scott.

Before coming to NC, the group performed at seven churches in the Annapolis area during the month of June.  After their performance at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, the group will continue on to South Carolina, where they will perform at Surfside United Methodist Church and Socastee United Methodist Church, near Myrtle Beach.

Barbara Snell Krebs handles some of the marketing for the Soul Searchers.

“We get very warm receptions up in Annapolis. Down here the thing that is most different is how many people come together to work to help make sure that the kids are very comfortable and feel welcomed,” said Krebs.

For more information about Soul Searchers, please visit the group’s web site at soulsearchers.org.