‘The Journey: Path of Parables’ returns to Pleasant Grove Chapel Oct. 19

The wooded grounds behind Pleasant Grove Chapel will come alive Sunday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. as the church presents its newest outdoor production, “The Journey: Path of Parables.”

This immersive walk-through event will bring several of Jesus’ parables to life through live actors, narration and hand-built settings. The performance is free and open to the public, with communion offered afterward in the chapel’s rustic outdoor sanctuary to those who wish to participate. Groups of any size are welcome, from families to full bus tours, and donations will be accepted to help maintain the unique sets and woodland trails. Narration will be provided by Pastor Kurt Thomas and the cast includes children, teens and adults from the congregation.

Beth Zbasnik, whose family has attended Pleasant Grove Chapel as far back as her great-grandparents, has seen the creation of “The Journey” and how it has changed over the years. She now helps organize the event annually.

“It’s a unique ministry to our church because not every church has the benefit of this setting,” Zbasnik said. “It is truly a gift from God and a blessing to the congregation because all ages have been able to get involved. The children love to act their parts and adults all get to participate.”

About a month before the performance, a sign-up sheet is passed around for volunteers to fill the acting roles and it usually fills within the first week, according to Zbasnik. Unlike past productions that sometimes included crafts or interactive activities, this year’s “Path of Parables” keeps the focus on Scripture and storytelling, with Thomas explaining each scene as visitors walk the path.

Each parable unfolds in its own natural or hand-built setting. For example, in the scene of "The Net," two fishermen use colorful fish and large nets with real Lake Erie boats — cut down, flipped and painted by the youth group — while Thomas explains Jesus’ message about the kingdom of heaven. Other stations use rustic buildings and wooded clearings created over years of volunteer labor.

“The Journey” began as an all-church project and took about six to eight years to complete fully. Men in the congregation constructed the woodland buildings while the women cooked meals each week for the workers, sewed costumes and created props such as crowns and shellacked loaves of bread.

“Some of the original builders have passed away, but their kids and grandkids are still serving,” Zbasnik said. Her own family illustrates the tradition: decades ago, her father took her young daughter to find “a very special rock” to seal the empty tomb. That little girl is now grown and returns each October to livestream the event on Facebook.

Thomas, who will narrate this year’s production, is deeply connected to the tradition. His father once pastored Pleasant Grove and narrated “The Journey” many times. Thomas  first knew the church as a young Marine veteran attending the University of Mount Union. After years of ministry elsewhere, he returned last August to serve as quarter-time pastor.

“It was an easy decision,” Zbasnik said. “We knew him from 15 years ago and his heart for ministry has never changed.”

The 45-minute walk covers about 1,000 steps along mulched trails, with benches for those who need to rest. A professional PA system, added last year, carries the narration clearly even to large crowds. Even during the pandemic the outdoor format allowed the event to continue safely, drawing one of its largest turnouts.

“People were so grateful to have something meaningful to attend,” Zbasnik said.

“The Journey: Path of Parables” will be presented on the wooded grounds of Pleasant Grove Chapel located at 5320 Arrow Road NW, Minerva. The event is free and donations are welcome to help maintain the grounds and buildings. For more information, follow Pleasant Grove Journey on Facebook or contact Beth Zbasnik at 330-495-7265 or bzbasnik@kent.edu.