Many people already believe the word of God can come in many forms:a dream, a message or a voice. And sometimes, when a person least expects it, they have a story with a message that needs to be told.

Jerome Gordon, the founder of the African American Players Workshop, has a story for the telling, and in the middle of it lies a message he hopes people will hear.

The African American Players workshop began in the fall of 1993 to present a forum in which stories of black culture could be told through theater.

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This semester, Gordon is directing his fifth play, He is Lord, a gospel play of his own that was nine years in the making and is about to be shown for the very first time.

He is Lord is a look at the life of Jesus Christ, adapted from the book of Luke, and told through the African American perspective.

With a mixture of traditional hymns and contemporary gospel, Gordon blends together his own unique style to tell his story in a different way. With keyboards, songs and dancers, the play comes across entertainment, presenting itself as a message of praise at the same time.

This play is about praise, he said. This is about songs being lifted up in praise to celebrate God and his love.

He is Lord’ is different because there is a message, Jeremy Griggs, a freshman in journalism from Alton who plays Jesus, said. This particular message is Jerome Gordon’s.

Gordon said he wants this play to create a way for everyone to come together, regardless of religion or color.

There are a lot of things going on on this campus, Gordon said. I want this play to bring people together. There are a lot of people with many different religions, and that is good, but that shouldn’t separate us from one another at the same time.

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Griggs said the bond between the cast members is a strong one, and that everyone has gotten something from the cast.

There are times when I didn’t know if I could play this part because Jesus is such a powerful role, Griggs said. One night I received so much love and support from the cast members that it gave me the confidence to help me on.

I have learned so much from all of the people here. We all have, he said. The message is going to come across to the audience.

And that message Gordon wants to get across has not been without difficulties. The original script of He is Lord called for 22 cast members, but the workshop only has 12 members. Because of the shortage, some of the actors are going to play more than one role, which can be trying at times.

This is the best company I have worked with, Gordon said. I know they can do this, and I know that everything is going to be fine on opening night.

He stops, beginning to hint at something bigger.

Basically, he said. the Lord put this show together. I know that everything that happens was meant to happen, and that this is going to be a good production.

God gave me a talent, and this is my way of giving something back to God as we sing to Him in praise, he said.

He is Lord is showing Sunday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom D. Admission is free.