Paraphrase Theatre

Paraphrase Theatre Jonathan is performing faith-insipring dramas at churches, camps & conferences throughout the country. See http://paraphrasetheatre.com/testimonials/.

Jonathan is an ordained ELCA pastor with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Theater and Music (Gustavus Adolphus College,1988) and a Masters of Divinity (Luther Seminary, 1994). He and his wife, Jana, have served congregations in Iowa and Minnesota the past 20+ years. He has extensive experience in the area of Worship Arts … overseeing the creative use of music, drama, dance, visual art and multi-

media to faithfully support the preaching of God’s Word. In addition to the dramas he performs, he is also available as a guest speaker at conferences, retreats, youth and family gatherings and other special events. Jonathan has developed and leads Paraphrase Theatre, which focuses on innovative drama, teaching, preaching and group interaction. Jonathan strives to share Biblical stories and truth in fresh and relevant ways.

01/26/2024

"I love you and I am not going anywhere." - God
(Drop Mic)

12/12/2023

Christianity isn't "I gotta."
It's "God's Got Ya."

Finally decided to be like the cool kids and ordered some of the sticker thingamabobs. If you would like to put one on y...
02/02/2023

Finally decided to be like the cool kids and ordered some of the sticker thingamabobs.
If you would like to put one on your water bottle or laptop cover or whatever just like the cool kids do let me know which kind you want and send your snail mail address via a private message. If you want to throw in a buck or two to help support Paraphrase Theatre ministry that would be kind of you as well. Not necessary but appreciated. Thanks friends!

Looking forward to sharing VISITING HOURS for 21st Century Rehab's staff and friends in Nevada, IA this evening. Love th...
01/28/2023

Looking forward to sharing VISITING HOURS for 21st Century Rehab's staff and friends in Nevada, IA this evening. Love their tagline: Work well. Play well. Live well.

Affirmation, training and encouragement for Healthcare workers... helping them rediscover the joy of thier calling.

JONATHAN’S TOURING SCHEDULE NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2022, Plus Special Events Scheduled for 2023Fri, Nov 18. 7:30pm “A Chr...
11/15/2022

JONATHAN’S TOURING SCHEDULE NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2022, Plus Special Events Scheduled for 2023
Fri, Nov 18. 7:30pm “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Tower Theatre. Bend, Oregon
https://www.towertheatre.org/tic.../christmas-with-c-s-lewis
NOTE! This event is nearly sold out. Purchase tickets soon if you are interested!
Sat, Nov 19. 2pm “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Soreng Theatre at the Hult Center. Eugene, Oregon
https://hultcenter.org/events-tickets/...
NOTE! This event is nearly sold out. Purchase tickets soon if you are interested!
Sat, Nov 19 7:30pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Soreng Theatre at the Hult Center. Eugene, Oregon
• https://hultcenter.org/events-tickets/...
Sun, Nov 20 2pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Elsinore Theatre. Salem, Oregon
• https://elsinoretheatre.com/events/christmas-with-cs-lewis/
Sun, Nov 27 10:30am “Celebrate the Child” (Paraphrase Theatre)
Bethany Lutheran Church, Emmetsburg, IA
Sun, Nov 27 6:30pm “Celebrate the Child” (Paraphrase Theatre)
Nazareth Lutheran Church, Armstrong, IA
Fri, Dec. 2. 7:30pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Belbas Theater, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
https://wpmi.shop.secutix.com/selection/event/date...
Sat, Dec. 3, 2pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Belbas Theater, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
https://wpmi.shop.secutix.com/selection/event/date...
Sat, Dec. 3, 7:30pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Belbas Theater, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
https://wpmi.shop.secutix.com/selection/event/date...
Sun, Dec. 4, 2pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Belbas Theater, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
https://wpmi.shop.secutix.com/selection/event/date...
Wed, Dec 7, Time TBA. “Celebrate the Chid” (Parahrase Theatre)
(Tentatively scheduled for a midweek Advent service in Isle, MN. Specific details to follow once confirmed.)
Sat, Dec 10. 7:30pm “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Mary Jane Teall Theatre Century II Performing Arts Convention Center. Wichita, KS
https://selectaseat.com/cslewis
Sun, Dec 11. 7:30pm “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis” (Bird and Baby Productions)
Mary Jane Teall Theatre Century II Performing Arts Convention Center. Wichita, KS
https://selectaseat.com/cslewis
Thurs, Dec 15. 7:30pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis”. (Bird and Baby Productions)
Antoinette Hatfield Hall - Winningstad Theatre, Portland, OR
https://www.portland5.com/winni.../events/christmas-cs-lewis
Fri, Dec 16. 7:30pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis”. (Bird and Baby Productions)
Antoinette Hatfield Hall - Winningstad Theatre, Portland, OR
https://www.portland5.com/winni.../events/christmas-cs-lewis
Sat, Dec 17. 2pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis”. (Bird and Baby Productions)
Antoinette Hatfield Hall - Winningstad Theatre, Portland, OR
https://www.portland5.com/winni.../events/christmas-cs-lewis
Sat, Dec 17. 7:30pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis”. (Bird and Baby Productions)
Antoinette Hatfield Hall - Winningstad Theatre, Portland, OR
https://www.portland5.com/winni.../events/christmas-cs-lewis
Sun, Dec 18. 2pm. “A Christmas with C.S. Lewis”. (Bird and Baby Productions)
Antoinette Hatfield Hall - Winningstad Theatre, Portland, OR
https://www.portland5.com/winni.../events/christmas-cs-lewis
Sat, Dec 24- “Celebrate the Child”. Crossroads Church, Dawson MN
This is not a live event, but I love what this church is doing -- creatively tapping into the options in working with Paraphrase Theatre. Crossroads will use video segments from “Celebrate the Child” as part of the special off-sight Christmas Eve service. Sounds like creative, innovative and effective outreach for their community!
Sunday
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2023…
The “More to this Life Marriage Retreat”, Feb. 10-12, at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp, Okoboji, IA. Bring your spouse and come join my wife, Jana and me for this inspiring weekend filled with laughter, learning and great fun and fellowship. https://www.okoboji.org/marriage-retreat
The Pain Management 2023 CNE Nurses Conference, Mayo Clinic, April 25-26.
Jana and I will be sharing our “Survivor Story” presentation, sharing insights from our journey with her two-round of Breast Cancer and providing training in recognizing the 7 Human Needs and how to apply this knowledge as caregivers – both personally and professionally, while caring for others. As part of this conference, I will also perform “Visiting Hours” – the one-actor, multiple character drama (written by Curt Cloninger) that affirms, trains and encourages professional Health-Care workers.
For more information check out www.paraphrasetheatre.com

High-Impact, Easy-to-Host Events Creatively Sharing Jesus Greetings! My name is Jonathan Swenson and I’m the Founding Director of Paraphrase Theatre. I travel around the country to churches, retreats and conferences creatively sharing stories about God’s radical love in Jesus and inviting people...

Big week coming up. 3 opportunities to see “Witnesses” - Written by Curt Cloninger, performed with permission by Jonatha...
03/31/2022

Big week coming up. 3 opportunities to see “Witnesses” - Written by Curt Cloninger, performed with permission by Jonathan Swenson

“1 Actor * 8 Characters * A Fresh Look at Jesus”

I’d love to see you there … and please share with anyone you know who lives in or near any of these communities.

So grateful that the world is starting to open up so that I can return to bringing this very special keynote presentatio...
05/06/2021

So grateful that the world is starting to open up so that I can return to bringing this very special keynote presentation to hospitals, care centers, churches and more in the months ahead. Please share with any healthcare workers, chaplains, social workers, you name it.. who strive to love others well.

For more information, write to me at [email protected]

Or call 319-431-9934

"Visiting Hours" - Written by Curt Cloninger and performed, here by professional speaker, actor and pastor, Jonathan Swenson, is a celebration of Healthcare…

CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE!
02/13/2021

CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE!

A delightful collection of Valentine songs and stories centered on the love of Jesus, from Jonathan & Jana Swenson, of Paraphrase Theatre and More to this Life…

We're hoping to have the CRAZY show up shortly. In the meantime, enjoy this background video featuring one of our main g...
02/13/2021

We're hoping to have the CRAZY show up shortly. In the meantime, enjoy this background video featuring one of our main guests, Curt Cloninger.

Join us for this very special event, Feb 12 at 5 PM CST – Feb 14 at 11:59 PM CST. Curt Cloninger shares his new video, "Tish's New Shoes" -…

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9840 Brookside Avenue S
Alexandria, MN
55431

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Jonathan Swenson created Paraphrase Theatre in 2009. He is an ordained Lutheran pastor with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Theater and Music (Gustavus Adolphus College,1988) and a Masters of Divinity (Luther Seminary, 1994). He and his wife, Jana, have served congregations in Iowa and Minnesota the past 20+ years. Jonathan currently serves as the Director of Programming at Mount Carmel Ministries in Alexandria, MN. Paraphrase Theatre focuses on innovative drama, teaching, preaching and group interaction. Jonathan strives to share Biblical stories and truth in fresh and relevant ways. He has travelled throughout the United States sharing one actor, multiple character dramas on the life of Christ that draw the viewer in and help them to discover the relevancy of the Gospel.

He has extensive experience in the area of Worship Arts … overseeing the creative use of music, drama, dance, visual art and multi-media to faithfully support the preaching of God’s Word. In addition to the dramas he performs, Jonathan is also available as a guest speaker at conferences, retreats, youth and family gatherings and other special events.