Rhema Ready For Lights On

By Latoya Silmon, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- Broken Arrow will soon be all aglow.  Rhema Bible Church is hitting the switch on its massive Christmas light show on Wednesday.  But, there's an energy saving twist.  Rhema is planning on a green Christmas.

Rhema's park is packed with more than 60,000 lights and many of them will not only entice your eye they're also better for the environment.

The razzle and dazzle draws crowds from all over.

"Every year we have over 200,000 people come through this park from surrounding states, the local communities," said David Wildman.

It's a Rhema Bible Church Christmas tradition that began more than 20 years ago, but this year it's going to be even bigger and green.

"This year a very special one.  We have more newer technology used in our light display. The common known LED phenomenon.  Going green with our light display is kind of our first step in that direction," said David Wildman.

Rhema doubled the amount of lights this year, but because many of them are LEDs they'll only use one tenth of the energy. Wildman says that will help the bottom line.

"First of all, the power bill. We've been doing this since 1982 and we've never asked for sponsorship to offset the cost," said David Wildman.  "Every structure on this campus is going to be covered with lights.  I think just that sight even if you don't really want to have anything to do with Christmas.  This is going to put you in the Christmas spirit.  It does me every year. I'm so excited about it.  Can't wait."

Rhema will flip the switch at 6:15 on Wednesday evening.  Any donations collected will go to a local charity.