An Akron, Ohio, area church is seeing hundreds of people come to Christ through their annual “Judgment House” presentation–an idea sparked through Pastor Bob Combs and the Grace Brethren church in Barberton/Norton.
In an article about the Grace Brethren church, an Akron Beacon-Journal religion writer said, “Combs became pastor of the 64-member church in 1973. Under his leadership, the church building and staff were expanded to accommodate the growth in attendance and ministries. In 1995, Combs brought the idea of Judgment House (a walk-through drama that encourages people to choose a relationship with Christ) to the church. The presentation, which attracted more than 100,000 people from 1995 to 2008, helped facilitate growth at the church.”
The Grace Brethren Judgment House was featured in the very first issue of FGBC World in January of 2004. The article may be seen here:
http://fgbcworld.com/images/stories/backissues/pdf/2004%201%20jan_feb.pdf
Quoting the co-lead pastor of the church currently doing Judgment House, the ChristianPost article said, “Schofield and a team of people started “Judgement House” in 2001, capturing the vision from another local church in Akron, Ohio.
“We were taking our teens to the Judgement House at Norton Grace Brethren, and we saw the powerful impact it had on students we took, plus the many un-churched people it drew,” he told CP.”
The Christian Post article about the spinoff Judgment House may be seen here:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/local-church-offers-judgement-house-not-haunted-house-59656/