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"THIS MAN CALLED JESUS" is a Christmas Drama that draws
thousands each year. 40,066 attended in 2008 during 17
performances over three fabulous weekends. Presented by a
costumed cast of over 350 with live animals, inspiring music,
drama, awesome sound effects and lighting, this is a "must
see" Christmas holiday event! This two-hour
production brings to life before your eyes the story of
"Jesus" beginning with his birth and continues with his
ministry, miracles, trial, death by crucifixion, glorious
resurrection and awesome ascension. A spectacular
"Heaven" scene finale' leaves the audience in awe! Bring all
your family and friends''! Arrive early as seating is on a first-
come, first- serve basis.
NO TICKETS
NO RESERVATIONS
2700 SEATING CAPACITY
TOUR BUSES WELCOME
AMPLE FREE PARKING
PERFORMANCES ARE TWO HOURS IN LENGTH WITH NO INTERMISSION
HANDICAPPED PARKING AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY AT ALL PRESENTATIONS
PRE-PERFORMANCE WITH LIVE MUSIC
http://www.thismancalledjesus.org/
Sarah the donkey
The camel is called Abraham
About "This Man Called Jesus"
"THIS MAN CALLED JESUS" is a Christmas Drama that draws
thousands each year. 40,066 attended in 2008 during 17
performances over three fabulous weekends. Presented by a
costumed cast of over 350 with live animals, inspiring music,
drama, awesome sound effects and lighting, this is a "must
see" Christmas holiday event! This two-hour
production brings to life before your eyes the story of
"Jesus" beginning with his birth and continues with his
ministry, miracles, trial, death by crucifixion, glorious
resurrection and awesome ascension. A spectacular
"Heaven" scene finale' leaves the audience in awe! Bring all
your family and friends''! Arrive early as seating is on a first-
come, first- serve basis.
NO TICKETS
NO RESERVATIONS
2700 SEATING CAPACITY
TOUR BUSES WELCOME
AMPLE FREE PARKING
PERFORMANCES ARE TWO HOURS IN LENGTH WITH NO INTERMISSION
HANDICAPPED PARKING AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY AT ALL PRESENTATIONS
PRE-PERFORMANCE WITH LIVE MUSIC
http://www.thismancalledjesus.org/
Sarah the donkey
Animals in Drama
The camel is called Abraham
Blog Archive
About Me
Article from The Lexington Life Magazine
14 Lexingtonlife December 2007
The building is filled to capacity. The stage lights set an
ambiance of awe. A cast of 350 captures and moves the audience
with a familiar but intriguing story. In the crowd sits a
man convicted of attempted murder, nearly sentenced to life
without parole three times. He is a drug addict. He is an alcoholic.
He is suicidal. He is sitting with the Christians whose
persistence he’d hoped to silence by coming. Only, his plan is
thwarted by a greater will.
Watching the actors, a story this man remembers from Catholic school comes to life,
and he sees a Savior offering the love and forgiveness he needs to find hope. He prays to a
God he does not believe in. “If you really exist, help me or let me die.” And in that
moment, this man takes the first step of a journey that will change him completely.
Rick Kohlhepp’s testimony is a true one, and there are numbers of others whose stories
of salvation or renewal of faith lead back to the same event: This Man Called Jesus, a
drama Lake Murray Baptist Church has been presenting to the community for twenty
years this year.
In 1988, Lake Murray Baptist began their first outdoor Christmas drama with a roadside
nativity scene. The one scene of Jesus’ birth grew into several more scenes of His life.
Later, a crucifixion scene was added inside the church.
As the Christmas drama began to grow, members recognized a need for a larger home.
For seven years, This Man Called Jesus was presented in a large tent, but in 2001 a 28,000
square feet building that seats 2700 people was dedicated with no debt to the church as a
home for the production.
A Gift
That Changes Lives
by Mandy Sizemore
LL 1207 Magazine:Layout 1 11/19/07 10:36 PM Page 14
December 2007 Lexingtonlife 15
Each year small improvements have been made. Now the drama involves
music, a complex sound and lighting system, a script, live animals and a
much larger cast. No tickets or reservations are needed. The church offers
people the opportunity to accept the free gift of
eternal life through Jesus Christ by portraying the
life, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension
of God’s Son.
Joan Bedenbaugh, co-director with her husband
Mike, said the production “definitely binds the
church together like no other missions project. It is
the only project in the church that basically everybody
participates in. There are about 350 in the cast
itself in costume, about another 100-150 people
who work behind the scenes doing other things.”
While the Bedenbaughs direct the actors and
the drama itself, those “other things” include teams
of people serving as scene builders, ushers, greeters,
parking lot workers, child care workers, choreographers
– all working together to give audiences the
best experience possible.
Cast member Ritchie Adams says it’s not only
rewarding to be a part of the drama, but a huge
responsibility as well. In recent years he has played
the part of Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried
Jesus’ cross. “We have an awesome opportunity to
give something of great value to our community. It’s
moving to see the reactions of people, how they are
stirred by the scenes. It’s like our gift to them, and
it’s better to give than to receive – it’s all about giving of your time.” And it is
a gift that changes lives.
The Bedenbaughs give God all the credit for the success of This Man
Called Jesus. Last year alone, 37,500 people came from several states to
attend one of the 15 performances. “We’ve seen that when God asks you to
do something, He makes provisions for that,” Mike said. He explained that
people have donated tremendous amounts of money to provide for their
needs. “God will provide what it is needed if it is
His will for it to happen.”
Joan added that God could have chosen a much
larger church to stage this production, but instead
chose a small congregation that did not have the
resources. “We’ve seen this thing grow from a drivethrough
nativity into the tremendous outreach
opportunity it has become. He chose us to show
what He can do.”
The work the church does has a lasting affect on
people. Through the years, countless audience
members like Rick Kohlhepp have been changed by
the production. “There were many attempts to help
me quit drugs and alcohol, but man couldn’t do it.
Only God could do that,” said Kohlkepp. He says
he stopped doing drugs the first night he saw This
Man Called Jesus. “The crucifixion scene broke my
heart. It really, really got to me.”
“I went for the first time five years ago, and then
three more times that year, dragging people along,”
Kohlkepp said. “Now I go two or three times a year.”
He says it’s a constant reminder of an all-loving
God.
“People see the Bible brought to life in front of
them, and that moves them to want to come again
and bring someone with them,” says Mike. “We do the best we can each
performance, so people get the same quality experience no matter how
many times they see it.”
This Man Called Jesus
20th Anniversary Performance Schedule
www.thismancalledjesus.org • (803) 356-3334
Fridays at 7:30pm • November 30, December 7 & December 14
Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 and 6:30pm • December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16
LL 1207 Magazine:Layout 1 11/19/07 10:37 PM Page 15
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