Statement of Faith

History

Mission Statement

About the President

 

Statement of Faith


1. We believe in the triune Godhead; one God expressed in the Persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
2. We believe that God is transcendent, and as such created the entire universe in six literal 24-hour days approximately 6,000 years ago as recorded in Genesis 1:1—31 and Exodus 20:9—11.

3. We believe that Adam and Eve were the first humans created by God in His image, but that they failed to obey God in the Garden of Eden and from this disobedience sin and death entered the world. As descendants of our first parents all of humanity stands guilty as sinners before God (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 8:22; 1 Corinthians 15:21).

4. We believe that the Eternal Word and Son of God Jesus Christ came into this world by being born of a virgin to identify with humanity, and did so for the purpose of being the once-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and salvation for all who will believe (John 3:16).

5. We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, but on the third day rose in triumphal resurrection and victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:20).

6. We believe the 66 books of the Bible are the written and divinely inspired Word of God, and that they form a united whole. Therefore, they are the final word of authority on all matters of faith and practice. The Bible in its entirety is totally accurate regarding every subject it deals with, whether spiritual, moral, historical, or matters related to present-day science (2 Timothy 3:16).

7. We believe that the Holy Spirit of God draws, convinces, convicts, and enables sinners to repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, thus bestowing the gift of salvation and eternal life (John 6:23,44; 16:8).

8. We believe the Holy Spirit is given to each believer to teach, lead, strengthen in the faith, and equip for fruitfulness in the work of the kingdom of God (Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26).

9. We believe Satan is a real personage who works in opposition to God and mankind, but that he is to be eternally doomed to the lake of fire with those angels who follow him—including all who have neglected or refused to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (Revelation 20:10).

10. We believe that the Book of Genesis is of great significance in that it lays the foundation for the understanding of origins, the purpose for mankind’s existence, and specifically for the doctrines of the Christian Church.

History


By Dr. Rod Butterworth—founder and president

This is really God’s vision, not mine. In the summer of 2007 I visited several dinosaur museums in different states (including one in Branson, Missouri) that were totally evolutionary in philosophy. One day in September 2007 I was literally meditating about this while resting and it suddenly came to me like a vision from heaven—Branson needs a creation museum.
I soon began to share this vision with personal friends and acquaintances, and the idea was greeted by all with much enthusiasm and encouragement. It seems that before I could blink my eyes a nucleus of a corporation was formed and key people agreed to come on board as advisors. I felt led to ask Darel Biggers to be our vice president and Curtis Baker to be our secretary treasurer, and they both felt that God wanted them to be involved. Advisors so far include: Dr. Dale Scheusner, Dr. Fred Husted, Ron Walser, Dr. John Morris (President of Institute for Creation Research), and Bill Mundhausen (President of Orion Center).


God also favored us with a Christian lawyer, David (Chuck) Replogle who kindly agreed to process our application for incorporation at no charge! Creation Museum of the Ozarks is now officially incorporated in the State of Missouri as of January 9, 2008. The next necessary legal step is to apply for tax exempt status as a nonprofit organization. I just received the information today (January 22, 2008) from our secretary treasurer, Curtis Baker, that a local CPA has agreed to help us through this process at half the normal cost. Again, we thank God for His favor.
On January 21, 2008, Darel and Marie Biggers, Curtis and Sherry Baker, and myself were given a tour of some of the properties available in the Branson area. A long-time Christian realtor in Branson, Rex Grady, was very informative as he took us to various sites. The prices of land in the Branson area have skyrocketed in recent years. It has become very evident to us that we must trust God for the great financial miracles that are needed to see the fulfillment of this vision. We are just beginning this journey, but we do so with the knowledge that all things are possible with God.

March 28, 2009

The year 2008 realized the accomplishment with God’s help of Creation Museum of the Ozarks gaining the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status on August 27. Supporters can now claim their donations as charitable gifts under IRS code if so desired.

In March, 2008 we welcomed Barry Dullum as our new vice-president after Darel Biggers decided to step down for personal reasons. We are certainly thankful to Darel and his wife Marie for their encouragement and counsel in those early days.

On April 17, 2008 we had a combined meeting of the board and advisors with 18 people present at a local Panera restaurant. Bob Stockdale’s Creative Ink staff presented tentative ideas for our first concept drawing which came to fruition after two more meetings with just board members and Bob Stockdale and his staff. Now the concept drawing can be seen on the home page of our Web site.

Our Web site is gradually growing as new material is added. One important accomplishment was beginning two-minute radio spots on KLFC radio station in Branson, Missouri. These are played Monday through Friday each week at 3:30 p.m. CST. We have now recorded 100 of these, and hope to expand to other radio stations to further promote the vision.

Mission Statement

To be a ministry and educational resource instrumental in alerting the Church to the pervasive influence of secular, humanistic, evolutionary philosophy, and by so doing to equip believers with answers based on the absolute truths of the Bible and true empirical science. We believe this will strengthen the faith of Christians in the authority of God’s Word and embolden their witnessing.
We envision Creation Museum of the Ozarks as being hand-in-hand with the Church in seeking to obey the Great Commission: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28,19,20).

About the President

Dr. Rod Butterworth was born and raised in England and immigrated to America with his wife, Joanna, in 1963. Prior to this he served for two years in the British Royal Air Force. Now an American citizen since 1982, Rod and his wife (Joanna is now deceased) have ministered the Gospel in the New England States, New York, New Jersey and Missouri, and have been participants in evangelistic outreaches to Albania, England, Cyprus, Greece, China, and Mexico.

Dr. Butterworth has an earned master's degree in education and a master's and doctorate in Biblical Studies. He has served as curator of Springfield's Biblical Archaeology Museum. For many years he has given meetings and seminars on the subject of creation from a Biblical perspective, and shows that true science and the evidence available is in harmony with the historical record of the Bible.

Rod has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and has lived in southwest Missouri for over 30 years. Recently (2009) Rod has had the privilege of marrying a lovely Christian lady by the name of Linda. In 2004, Joanna, his first wife of many years went to be with the Lord. He feels greatly blessed that God has allowed him another companion with whom to share life and ministry.