A Powerful Encounter with Hell!

There is an awesome Drama Ministry at Riverhills Church of God in Tampa. Under the Senior Pastor Mark L. Williams and Youth Pastor Brett Jarriel this ministry has just served Tampa Bay magnificently during their Fall Festival.

It began on Saturday, October 28, and ran through Monday, October 30 at the 56-acre church along the Hillsborough River. It was an awesome presentation called "The Hell House". This was the first year for this presentation, the first of many, they believe.

The "Hell House" was a cutting edge dramatic presentation that was exciting, contemporary, shocking, and possibly offensive to some, however, based on truth!

The drama of 9 scenes began with the funeral of a 22-year-old young man who had died of aids. Each scene was performed in a different room of the "house", which were basically constructed walls with no roof and not always a floor. A lot of the scenes were very dark to portray the sadness and darkness of evil. Actors dressed in black with painted faces to portray the demonic influences speaking to the humans in each scene. It gave a sense of reality to a spirit world we often ignore or forget is truly there.

From the funeral scene we moved to the suicide scene, then the abortion clinic scenes, of which there were three. Each scene depicting real life decisions and choices we all have faced from time to time.

From there we were ushered into HELL. The cries and screams of those who were bound in the darkness and torment were very real. It was depicted as a dark and smelly place. The smell was produced by the addition of Limburger cheese on the walls.

From there we were lead out of the "house" to a wrecked car scene. The drunk driver of the car was the only one portrayed as living. His young wife was thrown through the windshield, and his beautiful daughter in the back seat was tossed around in the accident. As the demonic spirit if alcoholism speaks to the driver he cries in anguish and calls for help. As we turned our back on him and walked forward to the next room, it made me think of the hurting world crying for help because of the demonic torment they are in bondage to.

From there we walked into another dark hallway and on to a dark small room with a throne and a man dressed in black sitting upon it. He was of course, depicting Satan. He spoke to us, looking into many of our faces and making direct eye contact. He stated his mission, to GET us in to HELL!

As we left this last room depicting HELL we were ushered into heaven. The white walls, white chiffon and silk floral arrangements 

enhanced by a fragrant odor, was a nice relief from the darkness, stench, horror, pain and anguish we had been witnessing in hell. The voice from above was reminding us of the price that had already been paid for us. We were told how very much GOD loves us. There were a couple young women and a couple young girls dressed as angels. As the dissertation about our LORD continued it was mentioned about our name being in the book of LIFE. The question was, IS OUR NAME there? An invitation to come to the Lord was given, and the sinners prayer recited.

As we left that last room and exited "the house" we were invited to sit and discuss what we had seen. Most in our group were already believers, Hallelujah!

This presentation is a powerful one. Parental discretion was strongly recommended for participation in the "Hell House". Many scenes contain explicit material not intended for younger audiences. Children under 12 were NOT admitted without parental supervision.

Admission to "Hell House" was only $1.00 per person. This powerful dramatic presentation was worth far more than that.

In speaking with the Youth Pastor Brett Jarriel, after our tour we were encouraged to find out that 702 people had viewed this presentation this weekend. They far exceeded their goal of 500. Many were led to Christ as a result of this event. If it had only been one it would have been worth every penny and effort put into this by the whole congregation. 

Pastor Brett stated that it was approximately an 85-member cast. They had a month and a half to prepare for this. It was very well organized, with 5 or 6 drama coordinators. There was a Drama Director for each scene. Pastor Brett stated that this took a lot of pressure off what would have been an awesome responsibility for just one Drama Director.

The acting was superb. These youth deserve a big pat on the back for a job well done. If anyone is looking for a drama ministry to encourage, support, or become involved in please contact Pastor Brett. He is already excited about next years presentation.

Pastor Brett said they would like to solicit donations for next year. They need your …. TIME, TALENTS, IDEAS, and materials. He said next year they want to hand out children’s items and also have more devotional materials to hand out to those who come to the Lord as a result of this presentation.  They welcome your input of your gifts and talents in these areas. 

We would like to encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this presentation next year. It will be part of the church’s Fall Festival again next year.

If you have any questions and would like to contact Pastor 813-985-2388. b