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Church's Haunting Event Not A Typical Fright Night

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By TARA DINOSKI

The Suncoast News

Published: October 25, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Halloween is not all about ghosts and goblins, at least not to the folks at LifePoint Christian Church of New Port Richey.

For the first time, the church will be putting on a "Haunting Hell House" for parents and teenagers.

"It's a glimpse of heaven and hell," said the Rev. Michael Kirby.

Kirby has been a pastor at the church for 21/2 years, and brought with him the idea of the hell house from his previous church, Grace Chapel Praise, in Ohio.

"You will follow Jane Doe through a series of decisions she makes in her life," Kirby said. "By the end of the tour you will see a glimpse of the afterlife that results from her choices."

Kirby and other members of the church have spent two months planning and putting together the event, which will take place inside the church at 6219 River Road.

"We wanted to do something fun for Halloween that also had a message. We want to get across that no matter what decisions you face - rejection at home, acceptance into the world - Jesus has an answer. Our theme is the saving power of Jesus Christ," Kirby said.

The churchwide event involves many sections of the church, including the church's youth group, which has a scene all to itself. "We have people spread out throughout the whole event; each group has contributed something," Kirby said.

Although the hell house is the first of its kind for the church, many churches throughout the country have been criticized for similar "hell and judgment houses" for scaring the public into believing.

"Hell Houses are a relatively new evangelistic technique used by many hundreds of conservative Protestant churches in North America. One intent is to proselytize the unsaved public. Another is to promote certain conservative Christian beliefs," according to www.religioustolerance .org.

"Haunting Hell House" runs from 7 to 11:30 p.m. today and Sunday.

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