COVER STORY 25 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition g e - s t - r t r t - g e e s - s ” y - r e - South Floridians share their experiences Since the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum are the largest faith-based attractions in the U.S., it’s no wonder that several families have made the trip to experience this historical replica. A group of 14 students and family from South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary travelled to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum two years ago on a Spring Break trip. Diana Cox, now Writing Lab Coordinator at South Florida Bible College, said, “We had a blast. It was just fabulous, and we were really overwhelmed at just how well researched everything was.” What most impressed Diana was the detail. “Every practical thing within the Ark had been thought of… and it was just filled with museum quality exhibits every five feet.” Mitch Thompson, pastor, Recovery Church in Delray Beach, and his wife, Jolene Thompson, visited the Ark Encounter with their two sons, ages seven and two, during their family vacation. “We were driving right by and thought, a life-sized Ark, that’s pretty cool!” said Jolene. “As Christ-followers it was important for us to bring the Bible to life for Gunner [their son], and my husband and I both wanted to see it.” Surprised by “how massive it is from top to bottom,” Jolene said she was impressed with all the biblical and historical information tying it all together, especially the timelines. However, 7-year-old Gunner preferred the zoo and park. His favorite attraction was the zipline. Looking for a unique fall family trip in October 2023, Manny and Vianca Mendieta, who attend Calvary Chapel Parkland, flew to Kentucky to visit the Ark Encounter with their two sons, ages six and four, who are “in love with Bible stories,” so they could see those stories come to life. “The Ark is massive, and you see a cross in the door that was very symbolic and brings you back to the whole purpose,” said Manny. “It is impressive to see how Noah built this a few thousand years ago with his kids! Just realizing what a feat it was and that it really did happen definitely brought perspective.” As a mother of young children, Vianca said it was the animal encounters that impacted her. “As they spoke of each animal, they were constantly sharing scripture. They said, ‘this is why we have to take care of the animals; God has entrusted us to do this.’” Within the Ark, her children enjoyed interacting with an animated model of Noah and his wife, talking about life on the Ark, what food they ate and how they kept busy. “God thought of everything,” said Vianca, “the water they would drink, the way the air circulated in the Ark, how to dispose of waste… Today we think we need so much to be able to do our day-to-day, and it demonstrated the simplicity of life; how God provided then and God provides now, everything that we really need.” Three levels of exhibits within the Ark include details about how Noah and his family may have lived on the Ark, and while not all of this is explained in the Bible, Zooy said some of the exhibits include artistic renderings based on our best guess. For example, “the Bible doesn’t say what skin tone Noah’s family had, we had to assume that based on genetics, but the Bible does give an indication about how many animals were on the Ark and based on that you can get an idea of how much space they may need, and a lot of research went into it.” A homeschool mother of five, Alana Berish, who attends Journey Church in Boynton Beach, took her two oldest children, ages 8 and 10, on a field trip to the Ark Encounter after they completed a “Mystery of History” curriculum that studies Ancient History alongside the Old Testament of the Bible. “It really gave light to what they were already studying, so we thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very educational,” said Alana. Her son Beau, 10, said he enjoyed seeing how everything worked on the Ark. “It’s hard to believe that some of that stuff was possible, but when you got to see it firsthand, it’s pretty cool,” said Beau. Alana was most fascinated by the Ark itself, saying “it’s just spectacular that they were able to build that intricate system that was so well functioning with primitive tools.” However, traveling to the Creation Museum the next day, Alana said they most enjoyed a 4D ride they experienced that took them back in time to the Ark. Although Alana visited the Ark Encounter in the fall, she said it ties in beautifully with Easter because all of the prophesies of the Old Testament lead directly to Jesus. “What you ultimately take away from a visit to the Ark is just how real the Bible is, and anything that solidifies that in the child’s or the adult’s mind is powerful.” Easter and other events During the month of Lent, visitors to the Ark Encounter can attend a special lecture on the Crucifixion of Jesus, which Looy said, “is not for the squeamish” but includes an evangelistic presentation. The Creation Museum also features a Living History experience on Easter weekend, March 29-30th, featuring staff in accurately recreated costumes who give details on the historical background of Easter and Passover. There are also special events throughout the year. Over the summer, the world’s largest Christian music festival is held at the Ark Encounter for 40 days and 40 nights on July 30–September 7, 2024. A Family Homeschool Experience is held at the Ark Encounter from May 9–11, 2024, and you can find a whole list of faithbased conferences, concerts, educational programs and camp experiences on their website. Whenever you decide to visit, you can plan your trip or learn more about the Ark Encounter by visiting arkencounter.com and creationmuseum.org. Lexington and Beauregard Berish inside the Ark. Pastor Mitch and Jolene Thompson with their sons, Luca and Gunner at the Ark. Manny Mendieta and his sons stand in front of the Ark Encounter
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