Founder of the Bible Lands Museum, Bob Stancell, never expected to have this collection and certainly didn’t expect to be able to travel all across the United States because of it. While being a preacher in Sandy, Oregon, Stancell found some woven nails at an estate sale once. He bought them and thought they would be perfect to use in his sermons. As the years went by, he began collecting more and more artifacts and replicas from auctions, estate sales, and from professional replicators that he believes prove the validity of the Bible throughout history.

In 2015, Stancell opened the exhibit to the public in the downstairs of his church. Once it gained some traction and he realized the impact it had on the people of his church and community, Stancell began touring with it in 2017. Now, as his collection has grown, so has his knowledge and experience on the topic. Bob has a number of certificates from universities all over the world about different time periods and mythology. Some of these courses include one on Roman architecture from Yale University, Greek and Roman Mythology from the University of Pennsylvania, and several courses about the Jewish exile and ancient civilizations.

He realized that he was having so much fun with his exhibition and his education that he still continues to do them today. Now, he has over 400 items in his collection that span a huge range of variety. From costumes used on the sets of movies like Alexander and Hercules, to an authentic Mummy mask and a heel bone from a victim of a crucifixion, he has it all. However, he says his favorite must be his famous Greek Arrowheads that belonged to the famous German business man, Axel Guttman.

Stancell says that they have never gotten a bad review and that it is fun for people of all ages. Some crowd favorites tend to be when they allow the children to put on some replica armor, a shield, and sword and when he blows the authentic Rams Horn for the crowd. There will also be different lecture topics for each day that Stancell teaches. Bob Stancell, as well as Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, invite you to tour this collection this week, Aug. 4 through 8. For more information about showing times, lecture topics, and the exhibit call the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ at 580-765-3610, visit their Facebook, or go to the museum’s website at www. biblelandsmuseum.com.