Witness Music Utah brought the story of Christ’s final days to the stage during its performances of "Lamb of God," a sacred oratorio by Rob Gardner, held March 27-29 at Orem High School.
The concert tells the story of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ through narration and solo performances from Biblical figures like Peter, Mary and Judas. But unlike most depictions, the role of Christ is performed by a solo cello instead of a vocalist.
“I love the cello being the Savior’s voice in it, because it’s such a melancholy, mellow tone,” Chris Asay said. “I think that’s how the Savior will speak."
Asay, a former prison inmate, saw "Lamb of God" three times while incarcerated years ago.
He remembered the oratorio having a noticeable impact on the inmates around him.
“They’d be yucking it up down there, and we’re talking guys with gang tattoos and everything, and they’d be laughing about it,” he said.
But this irreverent tone didn't last.
“Ten minutes into the program, they aren't laughing anymore. They're just sort of watching. Twenty minutes to a half hour in, you begin to see tears coming in. These are guys that don’t cry over anything,” Asay said.
He remembered one man quietly asking, “What was I feeling?” as the group left the chapel.
“It gave us the opportunity through 'Lamb of God' to do missionary work in the prison, and to introduce people to it,” Asay said.
Bob Church, president of Witness Music, said the organization has performed "Lamb of God "in Utah 72 times, including several performances inside local prisons.
“For me, music and worship have intertwined into one. This is an outlet that allows that oneness to then express itself,” Church said.
He also noted how the commitment of the performers makes a difference in the final production.
“The product is often better in many ways than some professional ones because of what goes into them,” Church said.
Asay said the music helped him personally reconnect with his faith after being released from prison and rebaptized. At his baptism, Witness Music singer Alyssa James performed “Touch My Eyes,” the solo sung by Martha in the oratorio.
James, who has participated with Witness Music in California and Utah, said she has given away more than 100 tickets across the last two performances, many to people who had never seen the show before.
For her, the performance is about reaching individuals on a personal level and helping them feel something they might have never experienced elsewhere.
She described the oratorio as welcoming for people of all backgrounds, sharing how the message of Christ’s life and love can connect with anyone, regardless of their beliefs.
“It doesn’t matter what religion you are,” James said.
She said that even for those who may not consider themselves religious, the music offers a chance to feel something meaningful and connect with others in a shared experience.
“If they can even acknowledge that Jesus was a person in history, that’s all. If they’re willing to just acknowledge that, great. Come on in and sit down,” James said.
Asay agreed that watching the "Lamb of God" was an interfaith experience.
“We had guys in prison who had never been affiliated with a church, who weren’t interested in Christ at all, but they felt the Spirit touch them,” he said.
Asay said those moments created space for meaningful conversations, and for him, a miraculous personal change.