About Us
Our Story
Our Start
The Thorn began as a simple youth group skit one Wednesday night in October of 1996. John Bolin, the youth pastor of a church in Colorado, wanted to communicate the reality of the price Jesus paid for us mixed with the spiritual battle for our hearts and minds. Though it was simple, it was definitely something special. The church asked us to repeat the performance the next Easter season and for about a decade the show grew at that local church, each year improving quality and reach thanks to volunteers excited to be part of telling the Gospel Story. The show was unique as the characters didn’t sing or talk, but largely depended on movement, music and effects to tell the story. A narrator would provide transitions and focus moments for the audience.
The Early Days of Touring
Later, other churches began to inquire if they could do The Thorn or host The Thorn. We began touring in 2011 for a limited window around the Easter season, visiting 4-7 cities utilizing a core cast of talented performers and hundreds of volunteers from each local church. Getting a big show to fit in a variety of building layouts was hard work and sometimes provided for some comical arrangements to host the show. The churches all reported growth after The Thorn as their congregants had an opportunity to invite friends and family to see them in a show or attend a quality production, providing an easier entry point to engage with the local church in a really positive way.
Filming the Movie
Once COVID arrived and shut down live entertainment like The Thorn, we assumed maybe that was the end of a fantastic era. But then the idea to do one last show in 2022 and film it to be released in theaters the following Spring arose. It was exciting to work on what we thought was a legacy piece to honor all the years and volunteers who had planted seeds and watered God’s Story through The Thorn. Once the show was adapted to fit the widescreen it was then set to release in 800 theaters nationwide in March of 2023.
Touring Today: The Story Continues
With The Thorn set to be in theaters we thought it might make sense to accompany the film with live shows for a more personal experience. We contacted our previous church partners and some new ones to see if they would want to host the live show. 14 churches were excited to host. But that Fall, when attempting to confirm details, slowly, one by one, each church declined to host. On a trip out east, John Bolin and Jim Miles (our current narrator) stopped in a performing arts center and standing in that theater, John heard God whisper “This is where I want My Story told.” This seemed impossible but exactly right. We contacted a beautiful venue in Houston to inquire if we could bring our show there. “Who are you?”, they asked. But again and again, the venue would tell us “You’re not going to believe this, but the two dates you want happen to be open! Right between two Broadway shows, but you can have it!” God baby-stepped us into what was a miracle moment of faith. Trusting him for the venues, the financing, the people, and all the details along the way. We didn’t expect to be here or plan to put The Thorn anywhere except on a small stage for a few hundred high schoolers. But year by year, we said “We’re available. We will be obedient.”, and He has done the rest. He is faithful!
Telling God's Story Across the Nation
Hear from Founder, John Bolin, on the history and creation of The Thorn.
John & Sarah Bolin, Founders