Ten Years Later—Whatʼs the Impact?

When we were building the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, we received opposition—not only the expected opposition from non-Christians but also opposition from some Christians. In fact, a number of Christians (including a few Christian leaders) chastened me for spending money on these projects. They argued that funds should be used to directly proclaim the gospel and get people saved, not to build attractions.

Well, the Creation Museum just celebrated 19 years and the Ark Encounter hit the 10-year milestone last month. Were these naysayers right?

As I’ve shared in previous letters, guest surveys consistently show that approximately 7–8% of guests at the Ark Encounter and around 5% of guests at the Creation Museum report that either they or someone with them came to Christ as a result of visiting these attractions.

That equates to approximately 100,000 people each year trusting Christ because of a visit to the Ark Encounter or Creation Museum. Think about that for a moment. One hundred thousand people a year.

I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a tremendous investment in eternity!

And that’s only what we know from the attractions themselves. It doesn’t include our vacation Bible school programs, resources and curricula, radio broadcasts, social media outreach, Answers TV, speaking ministry, and so many other avenues through which God is using Answers in Genesis.

Notably, as many as 30% of those who visit the attractions are not Christians. The gospel is everywhere throughout them, and you cannot leave without having seeds of the gospel planted!

To me, all of this confirms why building these attractions was such an important vision.

From the very beginning, there were three major reasons for doing so:

First, we wanted to equip Christians in an area that many churches either compromise on, ignore, or simply don’t know how to address. We wanted to help God’s people gain confidence in His Word from the very first verse, and we trusted that this would encourage them to become bolder witnesses for Christ in an increasingly skeptical world.

Second, we wanted to help families raise up godly generations. One of the greatest tragedies of our day has been the catastrophic generational loss from the church. Far too many young people have walked away from the faith. We wanted to provide resources, teaching, experiences, and encouragement that would help parents and grandparents pass a biblical worldview on to the next generation.

And third, we wanted to bring people into worldclass attractions who would never normally attend a church service, evangelistic crusade, or Christian conference. Once there, we could show them the truth of God’s Word, answer skeptical questions, remove stumbling blocks, and present the gospel clearly, lovingly, and boldly.

In many ways, the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum are among the largest gospel outreaches in the world.

What some people criticized as merely “building attractions” has, by God’s grace, become a powerful tool for proclaiming His Word and seeing lives transformed for eternity.

Every day, families walk through our doors. Every day, children hear biblical truth. Every day, skeptics encounter answers to questions they may have struggled with for years. Every day, people are challenged with the authority of God’s Word and confronted with the saving message of the gospel.

And every time I walk through these attractions, I’m reminded that what some people criticized as merely “building attractions” has, by God’s grace, become a powerful tool for proclaiming His Word and seeing lives transformed for eternity.

I’d like to take you on a journey—a walk through the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter.

What I’m about to show you is only a small sample. It doesn’t include the many other places where aspects of the gospel are explained, biblical truth is taught, or visitors are challenged concerning their relationship with the Lord.

So come with me on this journey.

As you look at these photographs, remember that millions of people walk through these attractions. Many come as Christians and leave encouraged in their faith. Others come as skeptics. Some come because they’re curious. Some come because a friend or family member persuaded them to visit.

And many hear the gospel for perhaps the first time in their lives.

Let’s start at the Creation Museum.

Creation Museum

1. Relevance of Genesis Exhibit

   

   One of the first major exhibits that guests encounter presents the gospel message from Genesis to the resurrection through stunning animated artwork. The accompanying signage walks people through God’s plan of redemption from beginning to end

   For many guests, this is one of the first times they have seen the gospel presented as the true history of the world.

   
   

2. Sacrifice Scene

   

   This exhibit depicts the first blood sacrifice as God provided coverings for Adam and Eve after their sin.

   What a picture of what was to come! The shedding of blood points forward to Jesus Christ—the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. The signage clearly explains this connection and presents the saving gospel message.

   
   

3. Christ, Cross, Consummation Exhibit

   This exhibit concludes the famous 7 C’s walk through history.

   

   Here, visitors encounter the person and work of Jesus Christ in a dramatic presentation featuring beautiful artwork and clear biblical teaching concerning His death, burial, and resurrection. Guests also learn about the new heavens and new earth and the glorious contrast between the first Adam, who brought death, and the last Adam, Jesus Christ, who brings life.

   
   

4. Radiance Exhibit

   

   This stunning exhibit addresses one of the greatest struggles of our modern culture—identity. Through powerful visuals and a specially produced animated presentation, visitors learn that our true identity is not found in the world’s shifting definitions but in Jesus Christ. The gospel is clearly presented, and guests are challenged with the message of salvation.

   
   

5. Conservatory

   

   The gospel is even presented in our Plants of the Bible Conservatory.

   Visitors learn about the crown of thorns associated with Christ’s suffering and crucifixion. The presentation points directly to the Savior and clearly explains the gospel message.

   
   

6. Planetarium

   

   At the conclusion of our spectacular Created Cosmos program, guests are reminded that among all the wonders of the universe, earth is uniquely special. Why?

   Because this is the planet where God stepped into history in the person of His Son to rescue fallen mankind.

Ark Encounter

Now let’s continue our journey through the life-size Noah’s Ark.

1. Pre-Flood Exhibit

   

   Throughout the Ark, visitors encounter breathtaking artwork depicting key events from Genesis, including scenes pointing directly to God’s redemptive plan such as sacrifices and other events that help guests understand the gospel message woven throughout Scripture.

   
   

2. The Door

   

   This is perhaps my favorite feature (and the most photographed) in the entire Ark.

   Visitors stand before a massive door illuminated by a brilliant cross. The message is simple and powerful.

   Just as Noah and his family passed through a door to be saved in the Ark of salvation, we too must enter through a door to be saved. And that door is Jesus Christ.

   I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9)

   
   

3. The Movie

   Guests watch a 20-minute film portraying a secular reporter who comes to investigate Noah’s Ark and hears the gospel message. Notably, the film includes a holographic appearance by Ray Comfort from Living Waters, who presents the gospel in his uniquely engaging way.

   

   Over the years, I’ve heard from many people who trusted in Christ after watching this film. One man told me that his son-in-law was not a Christian when he entered the Ark, but after watching the movie, he prayed to receive Christ as Savior. The man then smiled and said, “I have a boring testimony because I became a Christian as a child, but my son-in-law became a Christian on the Ark.”

   
   

4. Searching for Truth

   This unique contemporary exhibit follows three university students, including one Christian, discussing the existence of God.

   

   Through the course of their conversations, biblical truth is presented, questions are answered, and the gospel is clearly explained. By the end of the story, one of the skeptical students comes to faith in Christ.

   As guests leave the exhibit, they can take a gospel tract that further explains the message of salvation.

   
   

5. Virtual Reality Experience

   

   Our virtual reality experience transports guests back in time to witness Noah building the Ark, but the most important part comes at the end. The door of the Ark becomes a powerful illustration of salvation pointing people to Jesus Christ and the gospel.

   
   

My point is this:

No one can visit the Ark Encounter or Creation Museum without hearing the gospel presented in one way or another.

These are not merely attractions. They are powerful evangelistic outreaches.

It’s one reason we faced such intense opposition while building them. And it’s one reason opposition continues today.

The enemy is not pleased when millions of people are confronted with the truth of God’s Word and the saving message of the gospel.

Please know that when you support Answers in Genesis, your gift is an investment in eternity. Frankly, I can’t think of a greater investment.

Jesus said:

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)

And:

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)

Just think about that.

If heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents, imagine the rejoicing that has occurred because of the many thousands of people the Lord has brought to Himself through this ministry.

There’s a lot of rejoicing going on in heaven because of what God is doing through Answers in Genesis.

Now tell me—what better investment could anyone make?

Would you prayerfully consider a gift today to help us reach even more people with the truth of God’s Word and the saving gospel? Every gift makes an eternal impact.

We are grateful for you being a part of the Answers in Genesis family. We cannot do what we do without the Lord’s blessing and the generosity of you and so many others. Thank you!

In Christ,
Ken