Elna M. Smith Foundation / The Great Passion Play

Summary

Elna M. Smith Foundation (the organization generally goes by the name "The Great Passion Play") provides biblical re-enactments, bible tours and educational facilities. It was formed in 1965 and provides the public with the following programs: The Great Passion Play; Sacred Art Center; the Bible Museum; Christ of the Ozarks; and the New Holy Land. The Great Passion Play is a reenactment of Jesus' last days on earth. The New Holy Land Tours take you into the history and culture of the ancient Middle-East from the time of the occupation by the Caananites to the time of Christ. The seven-story Christ of the Ozarks Statue is one of the most visited attractions in the Ozarks. The statue was completed and dedicated in 1966, and was sculptured by the late Emmet Sullivan. The Bible Museum contains over 6,000 Bibles in 625 languages and dialects, and a large collection of parchments and artifacts. The Sacred Arts Center is a collection of art that includes some very important masterpieces and some unusual pieces.

This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Elna M. Smith Foundation (the organization generally goes by the name "The Great Passion Play") provides biblical re-enactments, bible tours and educational facilities. It was formed in 1965 and provides the public with the following programs: The Great Passion Play; Sacred Art Center; the Bible Museum; Christ of the Ozarks; and the New Holy Land. The Great Passion Play is a reenactment of Jesus' last days on earth. The New Holy Land Tours take you into the history and culture of the ancient Middle-East from the time of the occupation by the Caananites to the time of Christ. The seven-story Christ of the Ozarks Statue is one of the most visited attractions in the Ozarks. The statue was completed and dedicated in 1966, and was sculptured by the late Emmet Sullivan. The Bible Museum contains over 6,000 Bibles in 625 languages and dialects, and a large collection of parchments and artifacts. The Sacred Arts Center is a collection of art that includes some very important masterpieces and some unusual pieces.

This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

The Elna M. Smith Foundation's Mission Statement is:

The purpose for the existence of the Foundation is to acquire, establish, construct and maintain shrines, monuments, libraries, memorials, archives, historical locations, art galleries and exhibits and to preserve books and manuscripts of notable Christian patriots.

The Christ of the Ozarks Statue inspires thousands to reflect on the teachings and character of our Savior.

The Great Passion Play, faithful to the authentic traditions of Christianity, presents the complete story of Christ's last days on earth in a setting simulating the city of Jerusalem.

The Sacred Arts Center touches every phase of artistic tribute to our Lord and presents portrayals in every known form of art.

The Bible Museum with its collection of Bibles and ancient ecclesiastic objects glorifies the Word of God, which is indeed the textbook of Christianity.

The New Holy Land replicas, reenactments, life-size buildings and exhibits will acquaint people with the Jerusalem existing at the time of Christ and cause them to reflect on the traditional beliefs of the Church.

These Sacred Projects cannot be separated because they combine to make the most significant educational shrine in the Western World calling attention to the historical and authentic traditional values of Christianity.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

• The Great Passion Play is the number one attended outdoor drama in America. Since its opening in July of 1968, over seven million people have enjoyed this portrayal of The Greatest Story Ever Told. The Play is performed on a 550-foot wide, multilevel stage in an outdoor amphitheater, which has 4,100 individual seats.
• The New Holy Land Tour includes over 30 exhibits. All have been researched for historical accuracy. Each exhibit is explained by the tram drivers or by costumed and knowledgeable tour guides.
• The Sacred Arts Center contains a collection of art that includes some very important masterpieces and some remarkable and unique pieces. One of the oldest pieces dates back to circa 800 AD. The Center also houses several historical collections, such as the royal Dresden china pieces representing the Last Supper as commissioned by Kaiser Wilhelm I.
• The seven-story Christ of the Ozarks Statue continues to be one of the most visited attractions in the Ozarks. More than 500,000 people come to view the Statue each year.
• The Bible Museum contains over 6,000 Bibles in 625 languages and dialects, as well as a large collection of parchments and artifacts. There are a number of Bibles featured in the Wycliffe exhibit. An original page of a Gutenberg Bible is part of this collection. Other important translations on display include a Greek New Testament published by Erasmus in 1516, Martin Luther’s German translation, William Tyndale’s New Testament, and Coverdale’s Bible, which has the distinction of being the first complete Bible translated into English.

  Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

  The Elna M. Smith Foundation uses the following to communicate its values: br>
  1. The Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
  
  2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  
  3.In the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
  
  4. That for the salvation of lost and sinful men regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
  
  5 In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
  
  6. In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
  
  7. In the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
  
  

  History [ Back to top ]

  The Great Passion Play offers the following history:
  
  The Great Passion Play is a 501-C3 non-profit, non-denominational ministry founded in 1967. The Christ of the Ozarks Statue was the first of the sacred projects to be constructed, followed by The Great Passion Play, the New Holy Land, the Bible Museum and the Sacred Arts Center. Plans are underway for new projects, which will be designed to compliment the existing attractions.

  Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

  This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

  Research Analysis

  Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

  Transparency Grade of : B
  Criteria category	Grade	Other Comments
  Timeliness:	70	12/8/2007 2:43:10 PM: Organization made financial information available greater than 7 ½ months.
  Financial Information:	100
  Foundational Clarity:
  Level of Cooperation:

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  MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

  Ranking Category	Rating	Overall Rank	Christian Growth Sector
  Overall Efficiency Rating		198 of 348	14 of 37
  Fund Acquisition Decision		198 of 348	14 of 37
  Resource Allocation Decision		of 348	27 of 37
  Asset Utilization Decision		of 348	27 of 37

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