I had the chance to ask Kelli McNeilly some question about her role as series producer for our upcoming series.
Lori Jo: I hear you are the series producer for our series that starts this week :) Tell us what that means…
Kelli McNeilly: As a series producer, I am basically in charge of all the logistics and behind-the-scenes elements of our sex and dating series, called Exposé. This is my first run at this, and though it’s been a lot of work, I would do it again in a heart beat. I, along with a couple other amazing team members, have created a vision for Exposé. We’ve worked to set a certain vibe for each week with music, performances, atmosphere, and honest messages. We’ve broken all of these elements down to the exact minute of each week’s gathering.
I’ve gotten the chance to meet so many new people as I’ve connected with them to figure out how to use their gifts an talents to make this series happen. God has blessed this process tremendously, and I am so thankful for His strength and for the help of others at Co+op.
LJ: What would you like everyone to know?
KM: I would like everyone to know how important and vital this particular series is. Put aside the lights and the performance aspect, and the messages themselves are what truly matter. We live in a society where sex is so easy to get. That might be a weird phrase, but I think it’s true. It’s everywhere you turn, and we put ourselves in situations that make it too easy to cross boundaries we may have never wanted to.
There are elements to this series that may shock our audience, but our ultimate hope is that these different things will cause them to actually stop and think about how they are conducting their relationships and what they are doing to protect their purity even if they are not dating. I want everyone to enjoy themselves, but want them to really hear everything that is going to be addressed.
We have stories that will be shared by those who are willing to be completely vulnerable and honest, and I want to create the atmosphere of acceptance, encouragement and support.
LJ: What are you most excited about?
KM: I am honestly excited about many of the elements of this series! When I was asked to produce the sex and dating series, my mind almost exploded because of how passionate I am regarding this topic. We all have stories to share in regards to dating and relationships, and I know that I have one too. I’ve been on a journey over many years and had to experience heartache, let down, regret, guilt, love, and so many other things that I’ve had to let God take off my shoulders so I could move forward and grow. My hope is that other people will feel confident to share their own stories so that they can experience healing while finding ways to improve the way they conduct their relationships to prepare for marriage in the way God would want.
I am also excited about the honesty that this series will have. We don’t want this to be your typical church lecture on sex, so we’ve tried to find creative ways to communicate what the Bible asks us to do while also allowing it to be relevant and intriguing.
I think this might be a good time to mention how excited I am about our dance party THIS Wednesday night! So be there!
LJ: Some people are nervous…should they be?
KM: Don’t be nervous at all! We won’t put you on the spot, and we won’t make you do anything crazy. All you need to do is come and hang out.
Did we mention the dance party? :) See you guys on Wednesday! Check out the video here:
Check out our new series!
