A visually stunning, reflective walk-through of the Easter story at Bethlehem Baptist Church is open to the public this weekend after an eight-year hiatus.

A new presentation of the Easter story open daily from Easter Friday to Easter Monday is overtaking and engulfing the building with its multiple displays and multi-sensory experiences depicting Christ's early life, ministry, death, and resurrection.

Bringing the event back to life, volunteer assistant Dorrie Jones says the aim is to give people a chance to connect or reconnect with the Christian story.

'We know there are a lot of faiths out there – but, for us, this is the chance to show what we believe in – given to the public in an interesting way which may prompt you think where are you at? And what do you want out of life?

'It's an experience for people to understand Easter from a Christian viewpoint.”

The church debuted the walk-through presentation back in 2003 – and held it annually for a number of years.

'The last event was held in 2015 as the church building had some alterations, and of course then Covid-19 made large events impossible,” says Dorrie.

Back this year, the presentation which opened on Thursday evening, is open from 9am-6pm daily from Friday, April 7 through to Sunday, April 9.

Dorrie Jones and fellow volunteers among props ahead of the new presentation of the Easter story open this weekend. Photo: John Borren.

Dorrie says the walk-through is a series of displays, with each telling part of the Easter story or featuring poignant periods of time in Christianity.

'Each display has a different time-zone – first you walk through the initial creation, then through some of the Old Testament events, then into New Testament when Jesus was born, some of the miracles he performed, his work etc. The total area of the display covers more than 800m2.

'There is an actual crucifixion scene, where we have real-life Jesus on the Cross – but there is a bypass for people who don't want to see it.”

There's contemplation and reflection areas dotted amongst the displays; and at the end is a café with free tea and coffee.

'Also, we will run our barista cafe with food and coffee for sale.”

Dorrie says usually a six-month affair to put together, this year 200-plus volunteers have done the mahi (work) in nine weeks.

'We've had a lot of prop-making nights but we also have three full containers of props and materials we can recycle from the past events.”

Attend the free event at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 90 Bethlehem Rd. For more information, see: https://bethlehem.org.nz/easter-journey/