"Jerusalem Marketplace," a Holy Land Adventure by Group Publishing, Inc., (groupsvbs.com) was presented at the Gladstone Park Church March 28–April 1.
"We wanted to review the Easter weekend by choosing a topic for each of the five nights. Topics included Jesus' triumphal entry, the Passover, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest, crucifixion and resurrection," said Connie Durbin, associate director for the event. The attendance was excellent, including some from Sunday churches who received a brochure that was distributed on nearby streets.
Before going into the church, visitors stopped to view a barnyard. "We wanted to give people an atmosphere like it was in Jesus' time," said Alan and Dana Allred. "Children had fun petting the llama."
After signing the guest register, people were assigned to one of the tribes of Israel and received clothing appropriate for the time. After gathering for a short worship, guests could visit the Synagogue school and become apprentices at some of the village shops where they could listen to the latest news about Jesus, play with Jewish toys, use measuring sticks, and sample fruits, vegetables, candy, and bread.
Smiling as he took pictures of the presentation, Paul Johnson, Gladstone Park senior pastor, concluded, "This is fun, and I hope everyone is inspired with an increased desire to know Jesus better."
Bob Uhrig, Gladstone Park associate pastor, teaches in the Jerusalem Synagogue school.
Dan Patchin Jr., PE teacher and librarian at Rivergate Adventist Elementary School, portrays the risen Jesus.
