It all started with a vision almost four decades ago from a late member of Piney Grove Baptist Church, a small community church just outside of Williamston. The vision, which brought the story of Easter to life, celebrates its 37^th year since fruition and opens to the public next week.

E.T. Taylor was the man with the vision, according to Sarah Hodges Stalls, director of the Message of Easter, a theatrical representation of the story of Jesus Christ’s last days.

“(E.T.) gave us all a passion for it,” Stalls said. “He worked so hard on it. My role as director is a welcomed challenge. E.T. was a very special person in my life, and I really feel like I have a strong connection to him in keeping his mission moving. He was so passionate for this. When he first presented this idea, everyone thought he was nuts. I kind of compare him to Noah, like when no one believed him about the flood. Now 37 years later, we’re still going great.”

Stalls, who has directed the performance for the past three years, said the program has not only allowed the church to minister to people, but it has also served as a way to reach across age boundaries and bring the church together. Stalls has been involved in the play since she was young, much like many others who were raised in the church.

The entire production has been a grassroots effort from the start, according to Stalls. Members of the congregation, from 3 years old to older adults, take some role in making it possible, whether it’s playing an actual role, helping with the set, making costumes or helping in other areas, such as seating guests and directing parking, Stalls said. The play began as a small production in someone’s front yard, but eventually grew to its own theater space, able to accommodate seating for 2,000 people.

“That’s one of the best parts about this effort — there is something for everyone to do,” Stalls said. “Some people are not good ministering one-on-one to someone, but when you bring a group together to do that, good things can happen.”

The 90-minute outdoor drama follows the biblical story of Jesus’ last days, including his crucifixion and resurrection. It serves as a way to not only recreate biblical events for those who already know the story, but also a means to reach those who do not know it and may want to learn more, Stalls said.

A significant scene revered among the members of Piney Grove is when Jesus rises from the grave, three days after his death.

“That’s been one of our favorite parts,” Stalls said. “We see this as an opportunity to be missionaries in our own backyard. We’re excited that someone may go home and read more (of the Bible) because of this. It’s our privilege to initiate that start.”

The production will start at 8 p.m. each night it is held. A Spanish performance of the play will be held March 17. The production will be held March 18-20 and March 24-27 in English. An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be present for the March 20 performance.

For more information, visit messageofeaster.org.