Naperville church celebrates Easter with illustrated sermon

The room was packed. The band was rocking. And Jesus Christ was led in on a donkey.

Members of the Calvary Church in Naperville celebrated Easter Sunday with what they described an illustrated sermon that saw about 300 volunteers act out the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events leading up to it.

It's an annual event at the church and comes as the third part of a trilogy, with the first two parts taking place on the past two Sundays.

"This day is the most important day in the Christian calendar," said the Rev. Ben De Boef. "If He had not been resurrected, all we do would be pointless."

Much of the Christian faith is based on Jesus Christ's life, death and then his resurrection. It's what inspires the church to put on the performance every year.

As roughly 3,000 parishioners looked on and members of the band played Christian and spiritual rock music in the early morning services, Glenn Beggs, playing the role of Jesus, entered the church on a donkey and met his "followers" on stage.

Later, the crowd looked on as a fake-blood-spattered Beggs was hoisted upon a cross in a re-enactment of the crucifixion.

De Boef estimated about 10,500 parishioners attended one of the four presentations throughout the weekend, including three on Sunday.

"We know this is a special day," De Boef said. "We try to put our best foot forward."

A quick scan of the crowd showed many families at the sermon, De Boef said even more so than usual.

"For many, this will be the beginning step of their travels with God," he said.