It’s that time of year again! Journey Ministries is elated to bring their annual Journey to Bethlehem back to Breckenridge Farms this Christmas season.
This year, the event will take place from Friday, December 6, through Sunday, December 8.
The live nativity will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m each night. There are about eight churches that are set up to act out live scenes.
Like with their Journey to the Cross earlier in the year, they will have two options for people to go through and view the live nativity.
“You can drive through with your vehicle, but we are encouraging people to do the trailer ride,” expressed Kristen Phillips with Journey Ministries. “We’ll have it lit up. They can bring their blanket. We’re going to have hot chocolate available at the tent. They could grab some hot chocolae and blankets and load up on the trailer, and that way they can ride through with a narrator that will actually be telling them the Christmas story. If they are interested in riding the trailer, they need to come straight to the tent and park at the tent, and they will leave from the tent to go around.”
Once the live nativity ends at 7:00 each night, they will start to get ready for the tent revival that will follow at 7:30.
“The tent revival will start each night at 7:30, but we will have live music each night from 5:45 to 7:15,” continued Kristen. “That way, once people get finished riding the trailer or driving through, they have the opportunity to come back to the tent, hang out, and listen to some music.”
AJ’s Food Truck out of Waynesboro will be at the location for everyone to purchase food from, allowing guests to enjoy great music and food.
Each night will feature a different speaker and music group for the revival service.
“On Friday night, December 6, we have Bro. Brian Bridges. He is from Son Rise Baptist Church in Hartsville, Alabama,” informed Kristen. “Some people have probably heard of him because he has preached several revivals in our area. Before him for the music, we will have Bryan and Emma Kate Williams again. They always do such a great job.”
On Saturday night, they are trying a little something new for revival.
“On Saturday night, we’re doing something a little different this year,” declared Kristen. “We’re calling it a youth night, so we’re focusing on the youth. It will still be open to the public and for anyone who wants to come to the tent. Just be aware that it will be more contemporary music. We have a praise band from Bay Springs called Free Reign for that night. Our speaker will be Bro. Derek Fretwell, and he is currently the pastor at Magnolia Baptist Church in Laurel. We’re excited to have him and excited to have a youth night. We’re hoping that it’s going to really be a big night to target the youth. It’s a great opportunity for youth groups to get together and come and just have a time of fellowship and enjoy some awesome praise music.”
To end it on Sunday night, they have another great music group and speaker coming.
“On Sunday night, for music we’re going to have Matthew Johnson and Marcus Linton with Couch in the Woods again,” continued Kristen. “Then, the preaching will be by Bro. Luke Johnson. He is currently the equipping pastor at Crosspointe Community Church in Laurel, but he’s very well known around the state. He has done a lot with FCA associations in the State of Mississippi. He is a former kicker for USM Golden Eagles, and he was recently inducted into the USM Athletic Hall of Fame. He also does a lot of mission work overseas. We’re excited to have him for the community service on Sunday night.”
For those with young children who would like to attend and enjoy the services, there are arrangements on site to take care of the little ones.
"This year, we'll still have the kids bounce house and blow up, so we will have an area for kids that will be fenced in,” added Kristen. “That way, parents can feel safe about their kids over there playing. We do have people that will be chaperoning that during the revival. It’s just a good opportunity for families to bring the whole family out.”
They are still welcoming anyone who would like to volunteer to help make the event a success.
“If there are any churches that still want to help in any way, we can still use their help,” declared Kristen. “We want to put a narrator on the trailers each night, so we’re still looking for a couple of people to volunteer for that. We’re also looking for possibly a couple of churches to help with the kids tent or hot chocolate area. We’re always looking for any volunteers that want to help take up money or help with parking or passing out brochures. There are still so many places that if somebody feels led to help out and wants to help out, we can plug them in somewhere. If there are any churches or individuals that feel led to help, they can contact me at 601-479-7874. We will be more than happy to find a spot for them.”
While the event is free to attend, they will collect donations from anyone who would like to give to help cover the cost of producing the event.
Along with monetary donations to assist with costs, they will again be collecting nonperishable foods as well.
“We’re still going to do the food drive for the Clarke County food pantry,” proclaimed Kristen. “It is free entry. We do take up a donation at the tent and exit in case anyone feels led to donate to help with the cost of the onset of debt, but we will also be taking up any nonperishable food too. It will help to restock the food pantry in Clarke County.”
Come out to Breckenridge Farms, located at 181 Americana Drive in Shubuta, on December 6 to December 8 and enjoy The Journey to Bethlehem and tent revival to follow!
