| First Christian Church is preparing
their fifteenth presentation of WALK TO
BETHLEHEM as a gift to the community. The
first presentation was in 1995. Chares and
Ruth Pugh had been attending First Christian
for several months. Charles was a retired
minister who had been serving on the staff
of a congregation in Ohio. The Pughs had
participated in Walk to Bethlehem in other
congregations and so they volunteered to
give leadership to one at First Christian
Church in Fort Wayne.
The timing of this
event was good and the response on the part
of the congregation was very positive. By
the summer of 1996, Charles and Ruth Pugh
decided to leave Fort Wayne and return to
the Ohio area. Many at First Christian felt
that God had brought the Pughs to First
Christian for a purpose and when that
purpose had been accomplished, God called
them to another place. Walk to Bethlehem has
become an important outreach ministry for
First Christian Church. In addition it has
provided opportunities for evangelism,
Christian education, fellowship and worship
as its focus is the birth of the Christ
Child.
Walk to Bethlehem has continued
through three different pastorates,
including that of Reverend Neil Allen who
brought to the congregation a passion for
collecting nativity scenes. The sanctuary is
decorated with a Fontanini village
surrounded by nativity scenes from local
collectors.
Walk to Bethlehem requires nearly
year-round planning of at least 100 people.
Some of these people are from the
neighborhood and many are friends and
relatives of members. If you would like to
participate in Walk to Bethlehem, please
contact the church office, 260-744-3239. |
