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'Walk Through Bethlehem' Draws People From Far, Near

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 26, 2007

BRANDON - Just as Joseph and Mary traveled a long distance to get to Bethlehem, so did Andy and Lindsay Gregg, one of the couples who played Joseph and Mary in this year's Kings Avenue Baptist Church's re-enactment, "Walk Through Bethlehem."

The Greggs moved to Gibsonton last year from Ohio and walked through the Bethlehem reproduction in Brandon for the first time last December.

"When we went through we were changed forever," Lindsay Gregg said about their experience. "We actually decided to join the church last year ... and dedicated our lives to the Lord through baptism ... after going through 'Walk Through Bethlehem.' We hope that by playing Mary and Joseph we were able to reach out to others, like those before us did for us."

More than 5,800 people visited this 21st "Walk Through Bethlehem," the annual presentation put on every second weekend of December.

During Lindsay Gregg's pregnancy with their first baby, Makenna, this year, the couple were "praying that she would arrive in time to be baby Jesus and that she would be healthy. She wasn't actually due until Dec. 7, so we were fortunate that she made it in time. She was 11 days old Dec. 9 when she played the part of baby Jesus," Lindsay Gregg said.

Makenna was the youngest baby Jesus the church has ever had, said Evelyn Brown, church secretary.

"We had eight or nine baby Jesuses to cover the 22 hours," Brown said.

Some babies came from as far away as Bradenton, Plant City and Pinellas County.

Many people marveled at Makenna's tiny size, 5 pounds, 5 ounces, "and that she was real," Lindsay Gregg said.

The Greggs said it was the children who came through that affected them the most.

"They were so excited that baby Jesus was born and that they were able to see him. Some children even wished Makenna a happy birthday.

"No physical presents were brought, but the sound of music was just as touching," Lindsay Gregg said. "A couple of the groups that went through sang 'Away in a Manger.' I cried every time it was sung to our little girl. She is so blessed to have been a part of this life-changing event."

Perhaps these singers were following the tradition of the Rev. Charles M. Richard, who has been pastor of the church for 21 years and guides a few of the 12-member tour groups each year. When he arrives at the manger scene, he asks, "I wonder how Jesus feels when his birthday comes around and people celebrate it but give presents to others and not to him?"

Then he suggests they give the gift of music by singing "Away in a Manger."

"Kids who have been here before remember that," he said.

"Brandon is growing so fast, not everyone realizes it's an interactive experience," Richard said. As visitors walk through Bethlehem, "all your senses are engaged. You ... smell the camels, smell the goats ... feel the sheep, feel the wood and the hay under your feet. You feel the hatred of the Roman guards against you."

More than 125 volunteers were needed to create the experience.

"I preached Sunday Dec. 9 on the heroes of Christmas," Richard said. "There's Mary - here's a virgin with child, imagine how the townspeople reacted to that! And there's Joseph, who's married to this girl, who says that God is the child's father - what goes through his mind? - but he stands by her. And there are the shepherds and wise men, and of course, Jesus, who is the main hero who came to save us all. But the other heroes are you.

"On weekends since the first of November, you built the city. For four nights in December - the busiest month of the year - you're out here doing this presentation for the community, showing them what Bethlehem might have been like when Jesus was born. ... Every time you bring a board out or put a panel up, they see the real meaning of Christmas.

"And then this Saturday you'll break it all down. You're heroes. Sacrificing yourself for the benefit of others is the beginning of a hero."

Volunteer Steve Koratsky sacrificed his weekend. He stayed in the carpenter's booth every hour the city was open for four days and nights. He was with other volunteers, so "he didn't have to stay, but he did because he wanted to," Richard said.

Gerry Peid, no relation to Jennifer Hendricks and her baby, Aubrie, played Joseph to their Mary and Jesus roles Dec. 8, while the three wise men, Ron Glass, Frank Petrolis and Ken McPherson, followed the proverbial star.

Church youth gave up their Saturday night, "enjoying doing things for others, hanging here, giving the lines in the booths," Richard said. The total number of hours that people volunteered for the project exceeded the number of hours in half a year, he said.

Visitors sacrificed time, too.

"The most difficult thing for them is the two-hour wait, especially at peak times," Richard said.

Reservations were accepted.

"Then visitors could go home, go get something to eat or look at Christmas lights and then come back at that time."

Those who chose to wait were entertained in the sanctuary by vocalists and musicians from the church and by the Music Club Children's Choir from FishHawk Fellowship Church of Lithia.

Other performance groups included the Tabernacles of Praise Dance Ministry (under the direction of Tikvah Dryer) and the Children's Dance Ministry (under the leadership of Courtney Wynn) from Beit Tehila (which means House of Praise) Messianic Congregation, a Brandon community of Jewish and non-Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah.

"I'd heard about 'Walk Through Bethlehem,'" said the Rev. Wayne Moore, who came from North Carolina to join the church staff in April, "and I'd seen photos and watched the promotional video of it. But nothing could have prepared me for seeing the city being built and coming alive. It was truly overwhelming.

"I know that sounds biased from a staff member, but it truly was an absolutely wonderful, impressive production, especially by a church of this size. I enjoyed the experience, being a guide, seeing people's enjoyment and seeing cast members and guides enjoying themselves."

Comment cards from those who were part of the tours he led said, "Thank you for serving the community by sharing this, the world's most powerful message and for taking time in this busy season to do this," and "Great! We're coming back next year," and "It really touched my children."

For information about Kings Avenue Baptist Church or "Walk Through Bethlehem," visit www.kingsavenue .org or call (813) 684-9453.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay .rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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