Joy Lucius
AFA Journal staff writer
August 2018 – “Look! There goes Jesus,” my friend joked as we entered the park grounds of The Great Passion Play. The young man dodging our car definitely looked the part with his deep tan and long, dark hair.
Fortunately, Jesus was not injured in the encounter. Our preliminary park tour concluded with a sunset view of the Christ of the Ozarks, a 67-foot statue which lovingly beckons to those below in picturesque Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
An extraordinary story
Imagine my surprise when the door opened for next morning’s interview, and in walked … Jesus?
Actually, that young man who had scurried past us the night before was Kent Butler, the park’s director of operations, who portrays Jesus in The Great Passion Play.
Butler gave AFA Journal a brief history of the iconic drama, now celebrating its fiftieth year. Depicting Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, The Great Passion Play is led by a small staff, but a host of volunteers are what makes it possible. It runs annually from May through October.
Speaking as a volunteer, Butler remarked, “The part of Jesus is not a vacant position. We serve a living Savior. But it changes everything when you step into that role and see people through the eyes of Jesus.”
More than a drama
“Eight out of ten of our actors return year after year. One guy has been here since the second season,” Butler continued. “Many have day jobs. One is an executive pilot by day and Pontius Pilate by night. It’s their passion, to tell more people the story of Christ.”
The park’s latest project is a five-mile hiking and mountain biking trail opened in May. It will eventually cover 20 miles within the park’s 700 acres.
“The first two trails are called Genesis and Exodus. They feature different parts of our Holy Land Tour,” said Butler. “We hope to open people’s eyes and pique their interests, so maybe they will want to know more about this story.”
Other park attractions include the Bible Museum, containing more than 6,000 Bibles and 3,000 related artifacts. The History Museum focuses on creation and apologetics, but visitors learn park history as well.
The Sacred Arts Museum houses over 1,000 pieces of religious art in 64 forms from the ninth century forward. Its front gallery features Christian artist Jack Dawson and offers prints of his work for purchase.
A Holy Land replica tour begins just inside Jerusalem’s East Gate. In a first century marketplace, David demonstrates his shepherd’s sling, a sculptor fashions a bust of Christ (photo above), and the potter teaches through parables while throwing clay on his wheel.
Every guest enjoys visiting an inn and stable similar to those where Mary and Joseph sought shelter before Jesus’s birth, and children especially love the animals at Noah’s Ark Park.
A Levitical Priest teaches at Moses’s wilderness tabernacle, and Simon Peter talks with guests while strolling by the Sea of Galilee. But the Upper Room is empty, just as Jesus and the disciples left it.
A backstage tour, my personal favorite, explains the sheer enormity of The Great Passion Play and the unmatchable atmosphere of both the play and the park.
As Butler said, “There’s a different presence out here, and hopefully we have cultivated [Matthew 18:20] ‘where two or more are gathered, the Spirit is among us.’” 
The Great Passion Play is a 501(c)3 ministry that offers mission opportunities for groups or individuals to work and participate in the play. Lodging and some meals are provided, with RV hookups also available for volunteers. For more information: greatpassionplay.org.
