It takes many people to put together Messiah's Mansion, but not nearly the number it took to set up the original tabernacle and its furnishings during the time of Moses.
Forty volunteers from the Spokane Valley and Linwood churches converged on the ball field of the Spokane Valley Adventist School Sunday morning to begin unloading a semi-truck trailer filled with all the sanctuary articles for the Messiah's Mansion event. The dozen students and four staff from Oklahoma Academy were eager to work with the volunteers even though they had spent several days traveling to Spokane Valley. Clayton Leinneweber, project manager and faculty member at the academy, directed pickup trucks and a forklift as hundreds of boxes, curtains, wall panels, stakes (and more) were carefully spread across a 200 x 200-foot area.
The construction of Messiah's Mansion, which is a life-size replica of the ancient tabernacle, took five days. Guided tours were conducted every 15 minutes from Sept. 7–16.
Messiah's Mansion has been set up at 37 locations in the U.S., giving nearly 100,000 people the opportunity to see firsthand what the tabernacle would have looked like to the children of Israel. Through the visual aid of the santuary furniture, the plan of salvation was brought to life the same way it was for the Israelites.
Pastors from both churches have banded together to give Spokane and the surrounding community a unique opportunity to tour a replica of the ancient tabernacle. Through the efforts of volunteers and the students of Oklahoma Academy, those who came learned truths about Jesus and salvation—truths that can make an eternal difference.
On Sunday morning, many volunteers help unload the semi-truck that carried Messiah's Mansion. (Dusty Borders)
Teamwork is the key to a successful five-day set-up at Spokane Valley Adventist School. (Dusty Borders)
Several tents are erected to facilitate the tours of the life-size replica of the ancient tabernacle. (Dusty Borders)
It takes three volunteers to hold the center pole of one of the large tents. (Dusty Borders)
Dusty Borders pounds in a stake for a tent. (Michele Borders)
Volunteers hold up the walls of the tabernacle during assembly while others secure them on the outside. (Dusty Borders)
Details of the inside of the holy and most holy place in the tabernacle begin to emerge during the set-up. (Dusty Borders)
These pillars, which were put into place in front of the replica, are the same dimensions as the biblical tabernacle. (Dusty Borders)
The courtyard pillars are awaiting the walls. (Dusty Borders)
The total number of stakes pounded into the ground to set up both the tabernacle and courtyard fence is about 600. (Dusty Borders)
Visitors can enter through the front courtyard shown in this panoramic view. In Bible times this is where the lamb was brought for the sacrifice. (Dusty Borders)
The Spokane Valley Adventist School was the site for the Messiah's Mansion outreach to the community. (Dusty Borders)
