Shepherds (right) are visited by a host of angels during a snowy practice run of “The Journey” last night. The outdoor event will be held this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6-8 PM at the Walkchalk Salem Baptist Church. There is no admission charge.
Visitors to this weekend’s theatrical production called “The Journey” will be transported back in time.
Walkchalk Salem Baptist Church pastor Mike Bowser will play the prophet Isaiah, visiting places where prophecy of Christ’s birth originated throughout the Old Testament. With a cast of almost 50 individuals, Bowser will take visitors through “The Journey”.
“A person attending will come into the church,” Bowser said. “Our greeter will explain to them that they’re going to be making a trip through time. And then when they step out (into the church yard), they’ll be greeted by the prophet Isaiah and then he’ll walk them through the different stations.”
Pastor Mike Bowser plays the Prophet Isaiah in this weekend’s production of “The Journey”. The public is invited to attend. There is no admission charge.
Bowser said the birth of Christ is often limited to the Book of Luke. Actually the story begins in the Old Testament.
“It’s the most prophesied and foretold event in all of human history,” Bowser said. “So the idea was to give it a context to say, ‘Look! This has been something that mankind has been looking forward to for thousands of years’ and to recognize the significance that God has planned this from the beginning. It’s not just something He all of a sudden did in the middle of time, but His plan has always been to redeem us.”
He said the actors are made up of church parishioners from age 10 to individuals in the 70s. There is an excitement that comes from the presentation.
“Visitors will feel their excitement of being involved in the production - but the program will be a reminder of the excitement of the moment in reality when God Himself came in human form,” Bowser said. “There’s something about being outside and standing by a stable, and it’s just helps everything else to kind of fall away and you just focus on that and remember that’s why we’re here.”
“The Journey” finally ends in a stable at Bethlehem.
Bowser wrote the play himself, saying it only took about a half-hour to take it from thought to paper.
“The Spirit gave it to me. I was traveling. I knew I wanted to write it and once the Spirit spoke it to me, I had a notepad with me and within a half hour I had it.”
There is no admission charge. The presentation will be conducted between 6-8 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The total production time is approximately 20 minutes; however, it is outside so warm dress is necessary.
“People should dress warmly. I think it’s supposed to be dry this weekend for the most part. The ground’s wet so wear boots or good warm shoes.”
Bowser was voted to be the minister in June 2019. Although a lay pastor for more than 35 years, this is first pastorate. He extends an invitation for the public to attend.