TREGGULLSIONS is under production for a 30-minute, weekly television program featuring the puppet Burnnie, who teaches children how to live a Christian life.
By Kandy Bauder, Living Stones News Writer

Steve and Faith Treague have a love for children.

That is why both of them became teachers, which allowed them to develop a summer ministry of Reaching the Children or RTC. (See Living Stones News — September 2006).

In 1990, BURNNIE the Bunnie made his debut.

BURNNIE the Bunnie is ready to hit TV screens and teach children how to live a Christian life, which they learn after watching his many mistakes.

“His personality grew as we presented him before live audiences and received feedback from children,” Steve said. “They loved him. He’s a friendly kind of guy with a bit of an edge. He just says it like it is; or at least how he thinks it is.”

That is what gives BURNNIE a life-like and realistic personality. He teaches others as he learns from his own mistakes.

BURNNIE has received two media awards. The Treagues were awarded a CINDY (Cinema in Industry) Award for “Burnnie Goes To The Hospital,”
a video to help relieve a child’s fear of the hospital. For their radio program of BURNNIE, they received the Covenant Award in 1997, which is a national award given for excellence in Christian media.
Also winning the award that same year were James Dobson and “VeggieTales.”

“After the first TV show in 1990, we went into radio,” Steve said.
“Many listeners thought the radio show would make a great TV series, but with teaching and live performance opportunities, we never even gave going back into television production another thought.”

When Steve left the teaching profession, the Treagues were left wondering what God had in store for them. It didn’t take long to realize that God had a plan for the Treagues — one that would require them to let God take the reigns and work out many of the details that seemed overwhelming. This road led Steve Treague into full-time ministry.

“We felt God’s leading to produce what is now known as ‘BURNNIE:
Tails from the LIGHT Side.’ After a year of discussion and raising financial support, we had the ingredients needed to begin the series,” Steve said. “We now have the first program completed and are moving forward to being on the air in September. God is leading the project in a big way!”

The Treagues needed $50,000 to start production on the show. This money was used to purchase high definition cameras, sound, lighting and other necessary elements for producing a television show.

Each show is 30 minutes in length and is planned to be aired as a weekly series. There are many tentative options in development to air the show. However, the Treagues are awaiting the final editing of the pilot before it can be sent out for review. There needs to be 10 completed programs for a network to begin weekly broadcasts. Those should be finished by September.

The Treagues are targeting children ages 5 years to fifth grade with each episode. Steve said the purpose is to help these children to know the Savior and make Him known to others.

This is where BURNNIE steps in and comes to life on the screen.

“BURNNIE tries his best to live his life pleasing to the Lord, but he makes mistakes along the way,” Steve said. “Each program focuses on a specific Christian character concept, which children are encouraged to develop in their own lives.

“In addition to each story’s plot, conflict and ultimate conclusion, we have another very unique component to reach children with God’s message. The character of BURNNIE the Bunnie works at the TREGGLLUSIONS Shop where interesting puzzles, games, toys and tricks are demonstrated and sold. Each of these colorful and visual object lessons is presented with a Gospel message.

“Live actors are used, with BURNNIE the Bunnie being the only puppet character in the entire series. Having only one puppet, along with Burnnie’s mischievous...

...personality, helps to create a presentation at a fifth-grade level and beyond, still maintaining the interest of a younger child.”

Each live filming has a need for about 150 extras to fill the auditorium for the TREGGLLUSIONS Show.

“It is necessary to call ahead — (605) 988-4140 — to be an extra in the audience for this segment,” Steve said. “Individuals, families and groups are welcome. Be prepared to show excitement, clap loud, laugh a lot and share in the purpose to help spread God’s Word to children locally and worldwide through this television outreach.”

Steve spent months adapting his 36 radio scripts into a format for television. He has additional titles in development, too. He is set
up to film two shows each month. “We’ll need actors, extras, boom
microphone handlers, assistant directors for various locations, makeup assistants, setup and takedown helpers, lighting assistants and more,” he said. “This is a large production project with four to six set locations.”

He also adds that they are always looking for more people to get involved with this exciting project.

“Each location involves setup, filming and takedown,” Steve said.
“For example, we filmed a segment, which will take up six minutes of the program. We began setup at 12:30 and were finished filming by 5.
It took four and one half hours to film this six-minute piece of the 30 minute show.”

This doesn’t include the additional time needed to edit and prepare for the final product to be complete.

The Treagues have a financial need of $4,000 a month for the grand illusion each show contains. They also have general operating expenses and donations are always needed to help cover these costs.

The Treagues have had a huge answer to prayer concerning financial needs.

“The major funding for cameras, sound, lighting, editing equipment and set design have been met by a Sioux Falls donor who joins in agreement with the mission of Reaching the Children for God’s Kingdom,” Steve said.

The Treagues also shared their future vision for BURNNIE.

“As the program develops and an audience base becomes stable, ancillary sales of BURNNIE the Bunnie items will assist in helping
RTC Ministries become financially self-supporting,” Steve said.
Items for possible sale range from Burnnie hand puppets to books.

Prayer is one thing the Treagues continue to cherish and request from people who share their desire to reach children for God.
Volunteers and finances remain constant prayer requests.

“Health is needed to maintain the energy and abilities of all involved,” Steve said. “Praise is needed to continually thank the Lord for the divine intervention which has and will continue to make this worldwide outreach possible.”

The Treagues are excited as Faith is retiring this year from teaching. This will give her the opportunity to join Steve full time in this opportunity to serve God.

Visit www.riddles.org to preview the show’s opening theme or to contact the Treagues about getting involved in the production process. Volunteers are needed and can also reach the Treagues by calling (605) 988-4140 for more information.