Hell’s Gates

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Every year October comes around jack-o-lanterns are carved, screams can be heard from haunted houses and people get lost in corn mazes as the month leads up to Halloween. Costumes are dawned by children and adults alike as they walk around neighborhoods searching for tricks and treats. But not everything in the metro area is completely reliant upon pumpkins, corn and scary places. Today I want to feature a Halloween themed activity that is an alternative to the norm. Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville gives visitors a glimpse into the Book of Revelations from the Bible. The small church has used its congregation to run the hour long glimpse into the soul for the past three years. 200 volunteers portray different scenes in an apocalyptic view of the last days on Earth and the judgement that follows. Your senses will be assaulted by sights and sounds complete with pyrotechnics.

Dustin Simmons (left) and Jansen Jones move through Hell's Gates as they watch Austin Manders and Maresa Helton act in the opening scene at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville  on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Dustin Simmons (left) and Jansen Jones move through Hell’s Gates as they watch Austin Manders and Maresa Helton act in the opening scene at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Austin Manders (right), Maresa Helton and Marie Murphy act as groups make their way through Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist CHurch in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Austin Manders (right), Maresa Helton and Marie Murphy act as groups make their way through Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Austin Manders (center), Maresa Helton (left) and Marie Murphy act as groups make their way through Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist CHurch in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Austin Manders (center), Maresa Helton (left) and Marie Murphy act as groups make their way through Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Heidi Frady (center), Devin Parten and Austin Adams make their way through Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Heidi Frady (center), Devin Parten and Austin Adams make their way through Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Jessica Gonzalez (left) and Leah Diemer scream from the windows of a school bus as groups make their way through Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Jessica Gonzalez (left) and Leah Diemer scream from the windows of a school bus as groups make their way through Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Will Brown acts as if he is injured during the opening scene of Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Will Brown acts as if he is injured during the opening scene of Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Dennis Hubbard (left), Allen Daniel, Erika Dixon and Bill Winner perform a scene during Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Dennis Hubbard (left), Allen Daniel, Erika Dixon and Bill Winner perform a scene during Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

A scene from Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

A scene from Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Josten Kreutzman (right) and his father Erick perform a scene during Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Josten Kreutzman (right) and his father Erick perform a scene during Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Trip Walters performs a scene during Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Trip Walters performs a scene during Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

A group of people watch a scene from Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

A group of people watch a scene from Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Glen Horne (left) and Trip Walters perform a scene in Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Glen Horne (left) and Trip Walters perform a scene in Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Demar Smith (right) and his wife Mia watch a scene in Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Demar Smith (right) and his wife Mia watch a scene in Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Pyrotechnics go off as Levi Kennedy mans a 50 caliber machine gun in a tower during Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Pyrotechnics go off as Levi Kennedy mans a 50 caliber machine gun in a tower during Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Alejandra Delatorre holds her hands to her face as she watches a scene in Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Alejandra Delatorre holds her hands to her face as she watches a scene in Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Carol Horne (right), Paul Diemer, Debbie Blackstock and Victor Dalton perform a scene in Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Carol Horne (right), Paul Diemer, Debbie Blackstock and Victor Dalton perform a scene in Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Carolyn Burruss (left) and Dawn Baus (right) open up the gates to the Lake of Fire as Roger Jameson (center left) and Chris Dearwent enter a scene of Hell's Gates to claim a soul at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Carolyn Burruss (left) and Dawn Baus (right) open up the gates to the Lake of Fire as Roger Jameson (center left) and Chris Dearwent enter a scene of Hell’s Gates to claim a soul at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Sharon Smith (center) is led to the Lake of Fire by Chris Dearwent (left) and Roger Jameson during Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Sharon Smith (center) is led to the Lake of Fire by Chris Dearwent (left) and Roger Jameson during Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

 

Chris Dearwent (left) and Roger Jameson (right) lead Victor Dalton into the Lake of Fire during a scene in Hell's Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Chris Dearwent (left) and Roger Jameson (right) lead Victor Dalton into the Lake of Fire during a scene in Hell’s Gates at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville on Thursday, October 17, 2013.