An event is taking place tonight that could quite possibly change the way you look at life and its purpose.
Joe White is a camp director from Missouri and a former assistant football coach at Texas A&M University. He will portray the role of a Roman cross-builder in the act of constructing his finished product - the post that Jesus would be hung on. As he speaks, chunks of wood will fly as he hacks at and pounds spikes into the 14-foot crossbeam.
This dramatic presentation is called AFTERdark. It has had lasting effects on college campuses across the nation, and thousands have experienced its impact in their lives. At past events, The University of Arkansas had 3,000 in attendance, and 5,000 came out to AFTERdark at Clemson. In all, students at more than 30 college campuses in the nation have experienced this event.
The makeshift cross that Joe White builds over the course of his presentation and then hoists onto his shoulder weighs over 300 pounds. This is particularly of interest because White is now a 53-year-old man with leukemia who can bench press 300 pounds. Five college men at Iowa State a few weeks ago were required to hold up the same cross that White shouldered.
Perhaps this begs the question, Why should Joe and Sally Student care about Joe White or what he stands for? I cannot know every fellow student here, but I know there are those who have had bleak experiences being accosted by so-called "Bible-bashers." They might be long on condemnation and short on love, and that is a misconception of what God's love is to be.
AFTERdark takes place in a non-threatening environment and might help dispel those bad experiences. Hear for yourself the presentation and make your own decision as to whether you want to look into a fuller understanding of what Jesus is about.
Those of us who might feel we are daily bearing our own "cross" of guilt, pain, grief, etc. can know that it does not have to be so. The Gospel of Matthew says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Jesus speaks these words!
This is a man who claimed to be God's son and who indisputably changed the course of history and continues to do so today. It has been said that dead men tell no tales. In his dramatic presentation, Joe White will tell you, "If he [Christ] is alive on Sunday morning, you mark my words, this story will never be forgotten."
I encourage students and members of the Ball State community as a whole to attend this event at Emens Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. Come if you are curious, if you are searching, if you are questioning. Come as you are, and do bring a friend.
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