Collaboration to Share Bible Truth

By Damen Therkildsen 

Renew Spokane communications coordinator

In a remarkable display of community collaboration, Spokane Valley Adventist Church, Spokane-area churches, and Renew Spokane orchestrated an unforgettable evening. This event, free to the community, was a hit among both children and adults in the Spokane area. The 75-minute show, Dinosaur Encounter, presented by speaker and author Rich Aguilera, captivated the audience to bring together nature, science, and the Bible to provide answers to the question of dinosaur’s existence from a biblical perspective. 

“I was so impressed with our group pulling together not one, but two shows for Dinosaur Encounter,” shared Patty Marsh, Renew Spokane director. “Thanks to generous donors, the normal $15 registration cost was covered in the Spokane-area churches providing a free event to the community.”

The event ran for two sold-out showings, and attendees were treated to an enchanted experience, filled with information, insights, and showmanship that deepened their understanding of these extinct creatures. Dinosaur Encounter proved to be an educational and entertaining experience that left everyone in attendance with a newfound appreciation for the world of dinosaurs. 

“This was a great show for the kids, but also stimulated my thinking about dinosaurs like never before,” shared a participant. “Rich definitely challenged me! My kids loved the 3D aspect, especially when the rain fell on them.”

The success of Dinosaur Encounter is a testament to the power of collaboration, communication, and prayer. In just four days of opening registration, all 600 spots for the first showing were sold out, with an additional 600 spots filled for a second showing. The event attracted many attendees from local Adventist churches and from the community, a clear indication that the outreach efforts were successful in reaching out to a broader audience.

“We were thrilled that so many from our local community attended, due to the various advertising avenues,” shared Teddy Shupe, pastor of Spokane Valley Adventist Church. “The positive feedback after the events as people left the venue was very encouraging. 

The outreach was fun, it connected with the interest of people of all ages, it spoke well of God and the credibility of His Word, and winsomely shed light on our Adventist faith community in the Spokane area!”

The event’s success was significantly enhanced by the strong emphasis on collaboration and communication, which aligns with Renew Spokane’s mission of reviving hope, facilitating healing, and nurturing a sense of community. After the event, numerous adults and children stayed behind to engage in meaningful conversations, providing yet another occasion for Christ's Method to work together with the Holy Spirit in a tangible effort to introduce people to Jesus. This collaboration served as a means to share the truth of the Bible.

“The key factor that contributed to the success of this event was quality programing and the importance of personal evangelism,” said Marsh. “Attendees made an effort to share the event with people within their sphere of influence, recognizing that inviting friends, family, and neighbors is the number one-way people come to know Jesus. This approach proved to be effective, as many attendees heard about the event through word of mouth.”

If you’re interested in upcoming events like this and other community opportunities, visit Renew Spokane at renewspokane.org.