images from the 2020 live nativity at npbc

First, I cannot tell you how, as a pastor, I love the commitment, love, spirit, unity, practicality, heart and work ethic of the people of New Prospect!  We only had 68 to work on this event and many of those were children.  But our team did the impossible!   7 Years ago I would have told you that putting on such an event in such a location with so few people would just never happen.  And I would have been wrong!

For 7 years now, I've been learning about the greatness of GOD ALMIGHTY within this small flock of believers!  Thank you guys for all you did.  This was the year with the most attendance, the largest sets, the most actors, the longest lines, and longest, hardest hours.  I won't recount the details of the week (you can read Becky Babb's quote in the "What Happening" section above).  But this was the year that our folks proved that they could trust the Lord to make it happen.

Our goal was and has always been to first and foremost, bring Glory and Honor to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Then, it was to present the Gospel at Christmas time.  

We had an additional goal this year.  In the midst of the COVID nightmare and all that it brought into our lives, we wanted the Lord to bring our church and our community JOY!  And that He did!

I can't adequately thank the visitors who came each night.  We had over 1300 this year.  That brought all kinds of new "problems" and also some wonderful  Miracles!

For instance, on the last night, we had over 600 attend.  We did not realize how many donuts and how much hot chocolate that would be needed for that many people.  We thought we had it taken care of but man Oh man, when those cars just kept coming......!  What did we do? Many of us literally began to pray, "Lord, you did it with the loathes and fishes, please come on and do it with the donuts and drink!"  Believe it my friend!  He answered those prayers with miraculous attention!  We ended the night with just enough for everyone who came!

Then there was the traffic! We had 4 rows of cars in the front parking lot, a line of cars around the Community Center across the street, and a line of cars backed up down each direction on Highway 334 for at least a quarter mile in each direction!  We walked to each and every car begging them to be patient with us and to please forgive us for the long wait.  You would not believe the kindness of attitude and spirit each visitor exhibited!  They graciously accepted the wonderful "problem" we were having and stayed for this year's event!

I can't thank the members of the cast and crew of NPBC enough or with the right words.  Thank you dear family of God!

Thank you to the Directors and the overall producers of the event. It was a lesson in leadership to watch you work.

Thanks to the Construction crew who worked like trojans to build a bigger event this year.
Thank you so the Kitchen crew who stood for hours each night and produced refreshments by the thousands so that our guests would feel loved and appreciated.

Thanks to the Decoration and Costume producers, Ms Fran Ramsey, thank you for making all of the costumes and all who worked so hard with you to add authenticity to the event.

Thank you to the Traffic and Security team that honestly tackled with professionalism an impossible task!

Thanks to Delisa Brown for the Audio production and seeing that the sound worked well each night.  

Thanks to the Servers and Hospitality teams who went to each car, welcomed each guest and saw that they had refreshments and information about the Gospel!

Thank you to the Actors who stood on their feet in the cold for long hours,  but did it with joy, to present the Gospel and to share the Greatest Story ever Told!

Thank you all for giving of yourselves to present the Gospel to so many at Christmas time!

Thank you so much to the Guests and Visitors who attended the event each night.  You were who we did this for here on earth and you made it so enjoyable and sweet for us!

Thank you to the Sheriff of Lafayette County, the Honorable  Joey East for allowing his Deputies to assist our teams  each night.

Thank you to Tula Farms and Gary Coleman for the use again of a trailer that allowed us to build the street of Bethlehem!

Thank you to Rick Mize for radio promotion to North Mississippi.Thanks to Mike Smith and the Smith  Building for lumber and supplies to build sets.

Thanks to Brown Dairy Farms for milk supplies and support.

Thanks to the anonymous donor who paid for the yard signs that brought so many in to the event.

And most of all, thank you Lord Jesus for loving us all that you were willing to come to this world in human flesh so that you could bare on your body all our sins.  Thank you for freely giving the gift of everlasting life to all who would receive!  YOU are the REASON for the SEASON, for LIFE and for ALL that life is about.  We love you and Praise you.  

May those who attended and heard the Gospel,  understand and accept the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ:  

We are saved by Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Jesus Alone.  

That's what Christmas is all about!