At the heart of Cavod Performing Arts is executive director and founder Connie Dienner's heart for children and young adults. "The arts are a vehicle for kids' lives to be changed," said Dienner. "(The goal is) for them to find their identity by taking classes and finding their giftings and their talents."

On Saturday, Feb. 8, Cavod will celebrate 20 years of existence with an extravaganza called Lifetime Tour at Worship Center, 2384 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, from 2 to 5 p.m. There is no charge to attend, but registration is requested by Wednesday, Feb. 5, by visiting http://www.cavod.org or calling 717-354-3355.

Guests will receive a passport and a bag upon entry. More than 10 stations will be available in the foyer area. As attendees have their passports stamped at each station, they will receive a gift. "The first station will (represent) the barn where we started on the Welsh Mountain," said Dienner, who added that the second station will represent the location at 501 E. Main St., in New Holland. "We were there six years," said Dienner, who noted that Cavod has been at its present location at 665 W. Main St., New Holland for 11 years. Cavod Theatre, which is located at 641 W. Main St., opened nine years ago, and a branch opened in Manheim four years ago. Another station will honor the late Stan Deen, who helped Dienner found Cavod Theatre, and stations will be dedicated to Cavod programs such as the City Light outreach dance teams and Friends in Motion, which offers classes for individuals with disabilities. Another station will feature Ornate, Cavod's professional dance team, which performs locally and internationally with a trip planned to South Africa and Kenya later this year. There will also be a missions table and a blessings table where students can share the Cavod experiences for which they are thankful and make suggestions about what Cavod should offer in the future.

Another station will feature Dienner's book, which will be released that day. The book is called "From Barn to Stage." "(The title) has a double meaning," said Dienner, who noted that the book tells both her story of growing up Plain on an Indiana hog farm and the story of the founding of Cavod. "I wasn't allowed to be in shows, but I would sing to the pigs and dance for the pigs," recalled Dienner. "That's how I got my start in the arts." Dienner's book, which she wrote with Shawn Smucker, will be available that day by donation.

In addition to the stations, illusionist Jay Stoltzfus will perform in the cafe, and cake will be available to share.

"When their passport is stamped, it will go into a drawing for gifts such as ear pods, a year of free tuition, or season theater tickets," said Dienner.

"At 3:30 p.m. we will go into the auditorium for a production," said Dienner, who noted that Cavod will show a video by MAKE/FILMS that looks at Cavod's history and its future. "We will have live testimonies, dance, music, and worship," said Dienner. "We really want the community to come and experience and see the progression of what God has done over the years," she added. "(They will) also be able to hear the heart of where we are going. We have just begun."