The Top 10 Reasons I Support the Cross

I'm referring to the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, TX. It's a dramatic 23-acre hilltop sculpture garden being built by a non-profit 501c3, non-denominational, Christian art organization- The Coming King Foundation. I have the honor of serving as a volunteer Trustee and Treasurer for the organization.

The project has stirred up a lot of controversy, and even a high-profile lawsuit (now settled). Here's why I unabashedly throw myself behind the organization and project and gladly give my time and money to assist and ask for you to consider doing the same:

1) The vision. Imagine what it feels like driving for many hours straight on the interstate. You're exhausted physically and often emotionally. You slip in and out of zombie-like half-consciousness as you fight numbness and fatigue of the monotonous grind. I'd say this is a good example of the spiritual condition of much of mankind as they go through life. Then, something changes. You pull over. You see something you've never seen before and feel compelled to investigate. You pull in the beautiful entrance to the garden and park your car, then begin to meander through the park-like setting reading scripture tiles on the ground in 6 languages, and stopping to admire the larger than life bronze sculptures, beautiful landscaping, and peaceful water features. As you make your way to the top of the hill you see the beautiful blue sky framed inside the empty cross, and realize you can see God in a way you've never seen Him before, and that maybe He's looking right back at you. Physically walking through the structure, you feel His presence and receive fresh purpose, healing, or salvation... as you pass through, you know you will not leave the same person. Something deeply personal has transpired, something not manufactured or sold to you, a real encounter you will never forget. These type of encounters happening every day along the major travel corridors of the world are something I'm very excited about; spiritual awakenings spreading through the arteries of our nations. 

2) The people behind it. The founder, Max Greiner, admittedly weirds some people out. That's why I like him! He's the kind of audacious Christian that doesn't just believe in God, but he believes God. There's a subtle, yet very dangerous difference. If you're sick, some Christians say "I'll pray for you" and go on their way, and some say, "Let's pray God will remove that sickness right now in the name of Jesus" and pray right then and there for you to be healed. It doesn't always happen, but sometimes it does! So surely we should try right? I believe God gives us crazy ideas that He is totally capable of accomplishing through us, and dares us to take Him up on them. That's the kind of Christian I want to be. I want to hear God, and have the courage and faith to do what He says. The other trustees, donors, and volunteers all seem to be cut of that same cloth. You never know what's going to happen when we hang out!

3) The miraculous confirmations. There are too many to do this point justice in one paragraph, but here are a few examples: The 1956 Kerrville Centennial Plate depicted an empty cross on a hill in the background of the city of the same size and shape of the TCKF cross, a fact which was only known by a few people until recent publicity of the project. Visitors to the site routinely report seeing gold dust appear on their hands and faces while praying. I have personally witnessed this miracle three times on myself, my wife, and even my baby daughters. I know one person who has been healed from a long-term physical ailment while coming to town to visit the site. Also, many prophetic words have been fulfilled on the where/when/how the project would come to pass, exactly as predicted. There have also been signs like an amazing rainbow in a small cloud hovering over the garden, eagles and hawks showing up at opportune moments, scorpions attacking the cross mockup, and many other wildlife-related cool things that are beyond coincidence. The welders even told me they were able to weld 4 times faster than they should have while dangling 70 feet above the ground after being prayed for.

4) Financial integrity. Everyone that is a part of this project simply gives. Nobody is in this for themselves or to get some sort of financial gain. There is no staff, no payroll, no overhead. All donations go 100% to the expenses of building or maintaining the garden. When we're short on money to pay a bill, the founder or one of the trustees pay it out of their own savings. A respected independent financial firm audits our books quarterly, and we have nothing to hide financially. There are no tax dollars involved, and we use no professional fundraisers. The land was donated. The art was donated at cost by the artists. The welders volunteered. The cranes were donated. The steel erecting company donated their time and resources. Many companies have either given their services or marked them down to material cost just to be a part of this. It's truly awe inspiring to think about all the businesses and individuals who have given sacrificially.

5) The beauty of the art. It's a unique and powerful timeless collection of sculptures that just look gorgeous and classy from every angle in my opinion. It's exciting to think that the solid over-engineered sculptures will be enjoyed by my grandchildren's grandchildren. I believe Art is a worthwhile endeavor of civilized society.

6) It's politically incorrect. I am tired of being told that a Christian is supposed to keep everything to themselves! It seems like the standard of the day is to lift up and glorify every kind of evil in the world without a second thought, but if anyone stands up and says, "I love Jesus," it's as if people's heads are going to explode and you're shouted down into submission or immediately censored. To me, this art just publicly says, "God is great, and we haven't forgotten Him! Come and see!" It gives a sense of relief for Christians to come out of our "churchy" cages and be able to publicly express our love and faith. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion need to be exercised if we don't want them to disappear.

7) What it means for my town. More visitors, economic benefits, and a great thing to be associated with the gateway of Kerrville and the beautiful Hill Country. This is a wholesome, great place to live, and I think it's great to project that image of goodness and a welcoming, artistic culture. Some towns are okay with having 100 foot tall billboards of buttocks everywhere you look. Surely, a 77 foot cross sculpture is more of a positive, and less offensive.

8) What it means for the local Body of Christ. Unity, Unity, Unity! I like that it will be available and accessible as a meeting place and launching pad for good works for all churches in the area, and that no one church or ministry will be able to take credit for it. I believe all the local churches will benefit from this project.

9) The multiplier effect. Critics often say, "Shouldn't you have just fed people instead instead..." My response is, "I do feed people. You know why? Because I'm a Christian, and that's just what Christians do." This garden is evangelical in nature. I believe many will come to Christ here and others will enter deeper relationships with Him here. The more people come to Jesus, the more people get fed. For instance, I give a large and growing percentage of my gross income away to those in need, sponsoring children through programs like Compassion International, supporting my local food bank, etc... But if I wasn't a Christian, I'd probably just be buying myself more "stuff", like a less-dented car. Therefore, the people responsible for pointing me to Christ are indirectly responsible for feeding a LOT of people! This project will point many to Christ, the only one who can truly satisfy the hunger and thirst of the world!

10) It's just the beginning. There is a second garden already under construction in Minnesota. Other people are being called to build more of these sites all over the world. In fact, it's been prophesied that 153 of these sculpture prayer gardens will be built.

In closing, please pray for us. If you feel led to give, we need help with the completion of the garden entrance and roads so we can finally open to the public.