Church booth features T-Rex skull model at county fairs

BRIGHTON, Ill. (BNC) by Patrick Harper — For several years, the congregation at Brighton has attended local and county fairs passing out bottled water, DVDs, magazines, books, and tracks in an endeavor to seek and save the lost.

Having a booth at a fair not only provides an opportunity to generate a presence in the community, it also supplies the congregation an opportunity to take the Gospel to the people on neutral grounds. We meet with people that would otherwise not enter the church’s building, or even be inclined to discuss such topics at the door of their house.

This year the booth was set up at the Hamilton Primary School Fair in Otterville (June 13-14), and the Betsey Ann Picnic in Brighton (June 19-20).

Plans to attend the Jersey County fair at the Jerseyville fairgrounds July 13-19 will be fulfilled soon.

“Origins” is the topic for the initial conversation theme. People might think that the booth is some sort of paleontological education group, but they are surprised when the conversation turns from one regarding origins to a consideration of eternal destination.

The booth highlights origins of creation.

Our booth is decorated with depictions of dinosaur skeletons, plastic dinos, and even a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull. Dinosaurs are very popular with children, yet even adults are intrigued by the presentation.

All published materials (books, DVD’s, magazines, etc.) and water are free for the taking, but the dinosaur figures are not!

Information about dinosaurs is not the only material dispensed, either. A lot of material on many different subjects is distributed. Materials regarding abortion, homosexuality, drinking, Bible study, in-home and correspondence courses, Muslims, denominations, the relationship of religion and America government and many other subjects are available.

On the whole, the church receives favorable reception from the majority of the people with whom we speak. Many people want to contribute to this work, but offers to pay for books or donations for the materials are refused. This too intrigues many people as the material includes professionally hard-bound copies, beautifully illustrated DVDs, and slick-paper magazines.

Many people ask, “Why are you doing this?” We want an opportunity to discuss the one thing in life that really matters: salvation from sin.

Brighton is a small congregation numbering about 30 precious souls, but with a desire to please our Lord and a mind to work, much good is possible and is accomplished.

It would be a great disservice to those whose work we distribute to not mention them, and as ingratitude is surely a sin, we are thankful for the labors of those associated with World Video Bible School, Apologetics Press, and the Memphis School of Preaching.

God bless the church as we seek and save the lost! Please keep our work in your prayers!

The Tyrannosaurus Rex skull took over three months and 80 hours to manufacture. At its core, it is 110-pound card stock, held together with super glue, covered with fiberglass and resin, coated in automotive body putty, sanded smooth, primed with Kills, painted with acrylic paint, and encased in a spray clear-coat sealant.

A young fair participant has picture with T-Rex model.

After searching the internet, an appropriate pattern for Pepakura (software that “unfolds” 3D objects) was found, and printed to 23 sheets of 8-1/2” by 11” card stock, cut out, and assembled over a few weeks’ time. (There is not a lot of time to engage in hobby activities when you preach and work a secular job.)

After the card stock was glued together, it was time for the fiberglass and resin. This part of the build was probably the most time consuming as I had to wait for the temperature in the garage to climb high enough to cure the resin – much of March and April were colder than recommended temperature for working the epoxy. I spent almost as much time with the automotive body putty, but eventually arrived at the point where the model was ready to be sanded smooth and painted. Sanding and painting took less than a week.