'JUDGEMENT HOUSE' OFFERS ALTERNATIVES TO HAUNTED HOUSES

With a few raps of his gavel, Gary Reutzel, dressed in white from head to toe, completes the judgment scene where Mike and Jen learn their eternal fate.

Other names are called from the book of life as visitors to "Judgement House" are asked to consider their fate after death.

Lynwood Baptist Church offers Judgement House, a Christian drama, as an alternative to the gory monsters and scary scenes found in traditional haunted houses.

The drama tells the story of two families confronted with tragedy and the death of loved ones. Nearly 1,600 people are expected to visit the drama during the week.

Tours are available from 7-11 p.m. tonight, from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday and from 5-10 p.m. Sunday at the church. A donation is requested instead of purchasing tickets and walk-ins are welcome.

Judgement House is not a scare tactic, said the Rev. Mark Anderson, pastor at Lynwood.

"It's a realistic presentation. We don't believe in scaring someone into heaven. But Jesus did speak about the reality of heaven and hell. We are simply telling that story."

There are more than 100 Judgement House productions around the country this Halloween season. Most will average 1,500 visitors.

To put on a Judgement House production, Lynwood members received training from a covenant group from Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Fla.

The group from Florida trained church members and youth in August so that the church could then train others in the region. Members of First Baptist Church in Portageville are also hosting a Judgement House.

It takes nearly 200 volunteers to put on the production at Lynwood. The church also is hosting a Family Fall Festival Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at the Osage Community Centre. Admission to the festival is a canned food item to be donated to FISH.

Laura Sheets guides the visitors through the nine scenes as they follow the characters through their lives. And she can see dramatic changes in the groups expressions as they grapple with questions.

"You can see that they realize it's not just a drama but could be real life," she said. "They have to make a choice."

Cast members memorize a script for each of the Judgement House's scenes. Guides offer instructions and tie the story together. Tours start every 10 minutes allowing six tours per hour.

At the conclusion, counselors are available for people who want to talk more about the drama and the questions it poses, said the Rev. Philip Davidson, youth pastor.

"The reality is that there is a hell and a heaven. Which are you choosing?" Davidson said. "

www.judgementhouse.org