A group of local Christians are aiming to promote the importance of Good Friday with a live crucifixion reenactment this week.

“Thank God for Good Friday,” otherwise known as “TGFGF,” returns Friday for a second year with some new props and a bigger location.

“We’ve added a bit to what we did last year, including some new props like a chariot, and we’ve moved to the Thomasville fairgrounds,” John Doane, publicity person, said. “God is just opening up a door and we are expecting a bigger crowd.”

The “driving force” behind the event is Marvin Livingston, Doane said.

“Marvin had a vision,” he said. “He saw how promoted Christmas, Easter and other holidays were and felt like the importance of Good Friday was not promoted enough.”

Others joined Livingston’s cause and the result was TGFGF.

“The main purpose of the event is to show people God sent his son to die for us and for our salvation,” Doane said. “We want people to understand that. People can expect to be moved by what God did for us. It is a very emotional performance.”

This year’s reenactment will feature some Thomas University students, members of several local churches and other volunteers.

Jerry Serapin, volunteer and supporter, has been busy helping Livingston build the new chariot and other props. This is his first year involved with the event.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and been around some good men that really love the Lord,” he said. “There’s no gratification for us, it is all for the Lord.”

Approximately 800 people attended the first TGFGF last year, Doane said, and he expects at least 1,000 this year.

Each reenactment — 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. — will last approximately 45 minutes and includes the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Performers will play Pontius Pilate, Roman soldiers, Mary, thieves and Christ.

There is seating for about 150 people, but participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

“We’ve changed the times to enable more people to attend,” Doane said. “A person can pick up lunch, come out, take their lunch hour and eat while they see the performance. I’ve also heard a lot of the little towns around us are planning to bring church groups in on buses.”

Livingston said the event’s growth is a blessing and he hopes it will continue to reach more people this year and in coming years.

“I do think we have more awareness of Good Friday and that more people will get up on Friday morning and think about what Jesus did for us,” he said. “I hope it continues to grow.”

Doane said this is the chance for people to be enlightened by seeing “what God has done for them and their lives.”

Serapin also hopes audience members will see the reenactment and understand its importance.

“Christ was a sinless man and the only one I know of put to death,” he said. “A lot of people have got their eyes off what they need to be doing and what is real in this world.

“Look at Easter and Christmas and how they got commercialized: if it were not for what Christ did on the cross and being crucified, the Christian world would not have been forgiven of its sins.”

John 3:16 tells it all, Doane said:

“‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”

He hopes the reenactment will touch at least one person in need of Christ.

“My hope is that someone that is not a Christian will come out and be really touched,” Doane said. “I’m praying we will be able to reach just one for Christ.”

WHAT: “Thank God for Good Friday”

WHEN: 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Thomasville Exchange Club Fairgrounds

ADMISSION: Free