For people in the Christian faith, the upcoming Easter holiday is a time of celebrating Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Sharing the reality of Christ with others is important to Sioux Falls resident, Lance Edward, and one of the reasons he began collecting artifacts from the time of Christ.
A program, “Rediscovering Jesus” will show off some of those artifacts from ancient Judea. The event is scheduled to be held March 21 at 7 p.m. at St. Magdalen Church in Lennox. It is hosted by the Ministry Arts Academy, founded by Edward. Edward spent 25 years touring as a professional Christian recording artist, speaker and worship leader.
The presentation in Lennox will be given by Nicole Wellington, a campus minister at O’Gorman High School. Although it is a youth event, Edward said the public is invited and encouraged to attend. On display will be 2000 year old artifacts from ancient Judea and biblical replicas from around the world. Also displayed will be a life-size replica of the Shroud of Turin.
The Shroud of Turin is a centuries old linen cloth that bears the image of a man that millions believe to be Jesus of Nazareth. It is one of the most studied artifacts in human history.
What makes the experience so unique is the fact that the artifacts and replicas are encouraged to be touched. Edward said that is what drew him to collecting artifacts in the first place.
“I just wanted to connect with the reality of who Christ is —the person Christ, which led me down a very interesting road of buying artifacts and museum replicas,” Edwards said, “so at first it was just for my own benefit.”
The first piece he purchased was a chalice — a replica of the The Holy Grail from the Indiana Jones movie. Then he wanted something real and tangible from the time of Christ in ancient Judea.
“As soon as I got something real that I could hold in my hands,” he said, as he held a coin in his palm, “I knew there was one degree of separation between me and the Living Christ. To hold that piece of history in my hands, just blew my mind.”
Once he started telling people about the pieces, they were so inspired by it, he was asked to bring his collection to churches. In his collection are about 17 artifacts and many museum replicas.
Login to read the rest.