Each year as Halloween draws near haunted houses become all the rage. Going to spooky venues to get the life scared out of you seems strangely fun. But haunted houses aren’t for everyone and within the Christian community there’s a popular alternative that explores the afterlife through a different lens.
They’re called Judgement Houses and Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville has brought back this popular walk-through drama for the Halloween weekend.
Visitors to Judgement House become immersed in the drama as it unfolds in a series of live action scenes that follow the lives of its main characters. Choices are made, tragedies occur, and the actors – and audience – are faced with life- and afterlife-changing decisions.
This year’s theme is “Words: A Prescription for Tragedy.” It focuses on a teenager named Russ who, according to the narrative, has a terrible life by most standards. Drugs have taken his parents from him. He’s forced to live with his grandmother. He has no friends and when his grandmother sends him to church camp in the hope he will make some, it backfires. Russ is tormented by the other campers’ relentless stares and cruel words. He buckles under the bullying and takes matters into his own hands. The circumstances of Russ’ life become a prescription for tragedy.
It’s a timely, compelling drama that’s resonating with audiences.
Since opening last Thursday, hundreds of people have journeyed through Judgement House. Some have made confessions of faith. With two nights left – Oct. 30th and 31st – organizers hope more will follow suit.
Outreach ministry
This is the third Judgement House Bethlehem Baptist has held in recent years. It’s no easy feat. It takes a small army of around 150 volunteers and months to prepare. From building sets, learning lines, staging scenes, costuming characters and publicizing the event, to hosting the hundreds of people who travel from across the region to attend, Judgement House both exhausts and inspires.
It’s an effective outreach ministry that ministers inwardly, too.
“We like opening our doors to people who haven’t been to our church before or wouldn’t consider coming to church, but they will come to this,” says Susan Watson, a Bethlehem Baptist church member who co-directs the drama with her husband Mark. She adds, “And then there’s the camaraderie it builds within the church community. When we’re all working on a single effort like this it just brings everybody together.”
Among the actors are those who never thought they’d have the nerve to get up and do what they’re doing, hour upon hour, night after night, five nights this fall. But they’re doing it and enjoying it, too.
“It encourages people to jump outside their comfort zone and do things they didn’t think they could do,” Susan says. She enjoys seeing the excitement and enthusiasm Judgement House generates among church members and volunteers. “It’s exciting for me to see people be creative and use their creative gifts to glorify God.”
Prescription for tragedy. Message of hope.
That which can be used to glorify, can also be used to harm and that’s why the theme of this year’s Judgement House is so relevant.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” If only this children’s nursery rhyme were true. We know differently, don’t we?
“Words mean things and mean words can cut like a knife,” reads the promotional flyer. Judgement House 2016 explores what the consequences are when we use our words as a weapon instead of a blessing.
With its ‘ripped-from-the-headlines’ storyline that reflects the devastating impacts of bullying to the Biblically based hope that it conveys, Judgement House offers more than an alternative to haunted houses this Halloween, it offers a potentially life altering experience…
for all who dare to enter.
More on Judgement House
The Judgement House experience is FREE and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. The schedule is as follows:
- Sunday, October 30 6:30pm – 9:30pm (last tour begins)
- Monday, October 31 6:30pm – 9:30pm (last tour begins)
Groups of 25-30 will enter the drama every 7-8 minutes. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent. Childcare will not be provided. Groups are welcome. Reservations recommended.
To make reservations for groups of 6 or more please call 706-754-1630 or email [email protected]. Your reservation will be confirmed by email or phone call.
Space is limited each night and reservations will be taken in the order in which they are received.
Concessions and merchandise will be available after the presentation. For more information please visit our church website www.bbcofclarkesville.org.
Bethlehem Baptist Church is located at 624 GA-197, Clarkesville, GA 30523.
