Life-size Old Testament tabernacle comes to Hudson

• The seven lamps of the menorah symbolize the seven days of creation.

The golden lampstand inside the tent of meeting was made of a “talent” (114 pounds) of gold, according to the Old Testament book of Exodus. The seven lamps symbolize the seven days of creation. Photo by Randy Hanson
• A replica of the Ark of the Covenant

A replica of the Ark of the Covenant stands inside the Holy of Holies, located in the tent of meeting. The angels on top of the original Ark were made of gold, and the walls of the Holy of Holies were covered with the precious metal. Photo by Randy Hanson

Talk about it

A life-size replica of the Old Testament tabernacle that the Jewish people believed to be the dwelling place of God is on display at the Teens for Christ Ministry Center on the south side of Hudson.

The book of Exodus tells the story of how God instructed the tabernacle to be built after the Israelites escaped Egypt.

It was their holy place for more than 400 years, until King Solomon built the temple at Jerusalem.

Tours of the replica tabernacle are available by appointment Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday tours also can be arranged by calling Teens for Christ at (715) 386-2549.

The display is half the size of a football field.

It consists of 12-foot high fencing surrounding a courtyard containing a bronze altar upon which animal sacrifices were made, a brass laver in which the high priest washed himself before entering the tabernacle tent, and the tent of meeting itself.

Displayed inside the tent of meeting are replicas of the original contents – a golden menorah, the table of showbread and the altar of incense.

A replica of the Ark of the Covenant stands inside the Holy of Holies, which the high priest would enter just once a year.

The details of the tabernacle’s construction and contents are explained by a tour guide.

The Rev. Paul Martin, dean of students at the Institute for Teen Evangelism located in the Teens for Christ building, is the local expert on the tabernacle.

He has been recruiting and training local pastors to also serve as guides.

During a special media tour last week, Martin said a number of local pastors are excited about having the tabernacle in Hudson. He said several church groups already have toured it.

The tabernacle will be on display through mid-October.

It is being provided by Teen Missions International, a Florida-based ministry that does work among AIDS-stricken children in Sub-Sahara Africa.

There is no charge for admission to the tabernacle, although donations are encouraged in the amounts of $9 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-11.

All of the money from the entrance donations will go to assisting the AIDS orphans of Africa.

Donations for the ongoing ministry of Teens for Christ also will be accepted.

The non-denominational youth ministry serves teens in western Wisconsin and Minnesota through Bible clubs, Bible quizzing, summer camps and mission trips.

The Teens for Christ Ministry Center opened in 2006. It is located at 538 Old Hwy. 35, just south of Tower Road in the town of Troy.

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