Mathews Baptist Church, Hudgins, held its Noah’s Ark Walkthrough on Saturday evening, with several days of nearly constant rain showers preceding the event helping to bring the biblical story to life.

Because Mathews Baptist had to cancel Vacation Bible School this year due to COVID-19, the church decided to hold an event to welcome not only church members but also the community.

VBS co-directors Kathryn Bray and Noah Ethington wanted to find a way to best reach people in the community. They have heard of other churches holding Bethlehem Walks around Christmastime and decided that they would like to do something similar.

“We’ve had people volunteer and people are willing to help out,’ said Bray.

The church’s original plan was to hold the walkthrough on a giant wooden ark which was built last week by Steve and Pat Taylor, Mike Hanhart and Dan Harris. Due to the rain, the church had to move the event inside but it did not diminish the experience of the walkthrough for anyone...