Ark Encounter

Are you ready to be part of something truly extraordinary? At Truth Traveler, we’re not just about time travel—we’re about creating unforgettable experiences for our Travelers. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a hospitality pro, or someone who loves to bring stories to life, we have a place for you! Join the team and help guide Travelers through the most exciting moments in Biblical history while working in a dynamic, fun environment. Ready to join the team in Pigeon Forge, TN? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gWu6nzPw

For over 42 years, David Zellner has held a variety of leadership roles in the entertainment industry. Prior to retiring in 2023, he served as president over Six Flags Georgia and Six Flags White Water Atlanta. Over the course of his career, he excelled in increasing revenue through strategic initiatives and is most proud of developing leadership, teamwork, and high levels of morale. As a Christ follower, David has always aspired to represent Jesus well in the workplace. He has been vocal about sharing the importance of his faith and created an open environment in which employees at all levels could feel comfortable asking questions, exchanging viewpoints, and making himself available for prayer. David is quick to give God the glory for the many blessings he enjoyed throughout his career and desires to encourage others to do the same in an ever-changing professional landscape. Are you a Christian who works as a creative? Maybe you work in the entertainment industry—for a theme park, museum, theater, or as part of a film team. Or perhaps you are part of a creative ministry at your church, or you’re a college student pursuing a related field for your career. This is THE event for you! Gather with fellow creatives to learn from experts working in these fields and experience special sessions and tours designed to spark your imagination and ignite your creativity for kingdom impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives and be inspired by Christian leaders in the entertainment industry! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gASx_aje

Want your visitors and viewers really engaged with your exhibits, products, or media? Then how about creating branded 2D characters that they can talk to, interact with, and learn from? Just like secular media is doing on shows like the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Loud House and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you, too, can utilize cutting edge 2D Animation and have your audiences carrying on a real-time conversation with a fully animated 2D character? Does this sound like science-fiction? If so, don’t miss the Brainy Pixel presentation, or come by the Brainy Pixel booth to see just how easy it is!   Brannon Hollingsworth is the COO/CCO of Brainy Pixel Productions, a Christian animation and production company responsible for the creation and production of brands such as Cubekins, Molly’s Memory Verse, Lily’s Lab, Righteous Warriors, Blissview, The PicTrain, Chronicles of Faith, and many more. He’s been blessed to work with amazing Christian ministries and organizations such as Answers in Genesis, Angel Studios, Museum of the Bible, Got Questions, Focus on the Family, Covenant Eyes, The Academy of Arts, Creator Films, All Things Possible Ministries, TruPlay, Yippee TV, Union Gospel Press, and others. Brannon is a Christ-centered creator who strives to use his gifts, skills, talents, and abilities for God’s glory. His main purpose is to make disciples regardless of his role, whether he writes, produces, directs, or highlights other Christian creatives and their work. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives and be inspired by Christian leaders in the entertainment industry! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gK4srYTD

Garner Holt is the founder and president of Garner Holt Productions, Inc. (GHP). Garner started GHP at 16 years old in his parents’ garage. GHP is now the largest creator of animatronics and other elements for theme parks, attractions, museums, and more—all from its 120,000 sq-ft California headquarters. Around the globe, GHP’s work is in nearly 5,000 animatronic figures created for Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., Lockheed-Martin, Salesforce, Nike, Mattel, and dozens more. Garner is the world’s leading authority on animatronics and won the 2015 Thea Award for a Lifetime of Achievements from the TEA, among more than two dozen other Theas. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives and be inspired by Christian leaders in the entertainment industry! Register here: https://lnkd.in/geKuvarb

What do you think our talented fabricators are making for the Ark Encounter’s Welcome Center based on these photos? Well, our skilled CNC operator is expertly crafting parts for the beautiful exterior elements of the ticketing building. Once all 152 intricate foam pieces are machined from 82 sheets of foam, our artists will install them on the side of the building. They will then apply multiple layers of plaster and paint to create a stunning exterior for the building. Our welcome center is set to open late this year. It will be a stunning addition to the Ark Encounter, south of Cincinnati.

Throughout the creative process, we often encounter many voices competing for their influence in telling a great story. How can teams collaboratively navigate this space where all voices, including technology, can carry the appropriate weight in the storytelling experience?   In this breakout session Glen will discuss Sight & Sound’s approach to this creative challenge, providing technology-based examples of how they use LED screens, automation and other technologies throughout their productions. A portion of this session will also include time for Q&A with Glen. Glen Brodersen has been serving in the theater community for almost 35 years. He’s had the privilege of using his diverse production talents at numerous churches and theater companies across the United States and in Europe. In the mid-2000s, Glen joined the team at Sight & Sound Ministries and has supported the company in several production-related roles. Now serving as Senior Technical Director, Glen bridges the gap between story and technology for Sight & Sound Theatres and Sight & Sound Films. Every day, he puts his passion for the collaborative process of storytelling to work, guiding and influencing the development of all technical elements and ensuring that each design aligns with the story and artistic intent of the production. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives and be inspired by Christian leaders in the entertainment industry! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gAfMg9vP

Our leadership team from across the AiG ministry gathered at the Answers Center for our annual Leadership Summit on Tuesday. I gave the kick-off address on how to develop a true biblical worldview of leadership, with a number of practical applications based on Scripture and my 50 years’ experience in the ministry. This year’s theme focused on developing the heart of a leader. Our keynote speaker, Nathan Caldwell, delivered an engaging talk on the importance of empowering kindness. Following his presentation, staff participated in various breakout sessions that explored in depth what it means to embody the heart of a leader. -Ken Ham, Founder CEO

Construction continues! Enjoy these photos that give you an update on the quickly advancing construction of the new Welcome Center and Jerusalem building at the Ark Encounter. The Welcome Center will hopefully be opened later this year and the Jerusalem building will open late 2026. It’s exciting to see the structures form—they are going to be such a wonderful addition to the Ark attraction. South of Cincinnati.

Zookeepers are passionate by nature, and the passion they have for their animals and their team members never ceases to amaze me. When we put the call for storm ride out keepers the response was overwhelming. So thankful for this group of keepers serving at the Creation Zoo and Ararat Ridge Zoo!

Construction is progressing rapidly on the new Welcome Center, shuttle bus drop-off area, and the Jerusalem building at the Ark Encounter. The Welcome Center is expected to open sometime in 2025, while the Jerusalem building, which will feature an impressive 1:100 scale model of first-century Jerusalem, is set to open in 2026.