The Tabernacle Experience, an event that brings the community into a recreation of the scriptural Tabernacle, is coming to Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Riverside from Feb. 28-March 8.
Avery Hjulberg, senior communication studies major and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, said the event is an immersive experience.
“It’s a full-scale replica of the Tabernacle described in the Old Testament,” Hjulberg said. “There are eight stations that you go through, and it is audio-driven so you have headphones on while it tells you about each aspect of the Tabernacle.”
Hjulberg said he hopes students gain “a better understanding of why the Tabernacle was built in the Old Testament and a better understanding of what it looked like. It’s one thing to read about it, but seeing it in person and experiencing it how they saw it in the Old Testament gives a better understanding of it.”
Bree Vanyo, junior nutrition and food science major, said she is excited to attend the Tabernacle Experience.
“I’m looking forward to the event because it’s hard to read about the Tabernacle and envision it while reading descriptions in Scripture,” Vanyo said. “Through this Tabernacle Experience, I might be able to understand and picture the same thing the Israelites did.”
Jamila Leggett, office manager at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, explained the goals her church has for an event like the Tabernacle Experience.
“Our goal (and that of the Tabernacle Experience) is to give people a ‘hands-on’ spiritual experience from the Old Testament that will also point them to Jesus Christ as our savior,” Leggett said.
Leggett said the experience is valuable for California Baptist University’s students.
“You will be able to walk through and hear an audio tour that will give you the chance to experience a ‘day in the life’ of an Old Testament priest,” Leggett said. “You will use all five of your senses as the Old Testament is brought to life, see what life was like for God’s people and reflect on what that means for us today.”
Leggett added that there is a personal value in attending the Tabernacle Experience.
“This can be a personal journey for your faith,” Leggett said. “Experience life in Israel without the cost of a plane ticket. Don’t just read the pages of Scripture, put yourself inside them.”
Tickets for the event are $6 each day. Immanuel Lutheran is also looking for volunteers to help with the event. Ticket and volunteering information can be found on their website: https://immanuelriverside.com/2020/01/27/tabernacle/.
