Contact: Mark Rasche,
619-971-5416
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Everyone likes a good adventure! And no one understands this better than Pat Roy, the creator, writer and producer of the Jonathan Park Creation Adventure Audio Series. But little did Mr. Roy know that the ensuing 14 years of production would be filled with its own behind-the-scenes adventure when it was first launched in 2001.
Jonathan Park originated at the Institute for Creation Research when Pat Roy first presented his audio adventure vision to Dr. John Morris, ICR's President, and Mr. Mark Rasche, who was serving as the Director of Outreach for ICR. Mr. Roy was managing a very busy radio department at the time – a perfect launching pad for Jonathan Park to be introduced to homes and radio stations across the United States and around the world.
After the first few Jonathan Park episodes were produced, it wasn't long before thousands of families began discovering, enjoying and learning the truth of Creation by listening to these exciting creation adventures on local radio stations and through audio products offered by ICR.
Ironically, Jonathan Park's success soon became its greatest stumbling block. Since ICR's organizational model was built primarily around its research and graduate school, it wasn't in a position to accommodate Jonathan Park's unexpected popularity and expansion.
In 2004, after about three years of growth, it seemed inevitable that Jonathan Park would have to be shut down. But God had different plans as the staff from a new, outside ministry had been praying for an opportunity to reach families through radio drama. One thing led to another, and thanks to the tenacity of a few leaders from both organizations, Jonathan Park was saved, transferred from ICR to this new ministry and given a new life. Pat Roy left ICR and continued to write and produce Jonathan Park audio adventures.
That was 2004. Fast forward to 2013. Jonathan Park had grown substantially and was now reaching tens of thousands of families around the world. In fact its reach extended to 572 radio stations in 22 countries! But unfortunately, due to some unexpected circumstances, the ministry where Jonathan Park was housed and distributed was forced to shut its doors. Once again, it appeared as though Jonathan Park was coming to an end.
However, in the spring of 2014, Pat Roy teamed up with his former ICR colleague, Mark Rasche, and Clynt Taylor, the father of three sons who all served as the "voice" of Jonathan Park at different times, and together, the three men launched a highly successful "Save Jonathan Park" campaign. By God's providence and with the help of 567 families from around the world, Jonathan Park was once again given a new life!
On March 11, 2014, CreationWorks officially became the new home for the Jonathan Park Audio Adventure series. Thanks to God and to those who prayed for and contributed to this important work, the truth of creation and the incredible science that aligns with Scripture now continues to be told through Jonathan Park adventures and the Creation Response Team.
Jonathan Park has touched countless lives with the Gospel and the truth of creation over the past 14 years. And along the way, a large family of actors, writers and administrators have united together, become close friends, and worked very hard to bring these adventures to a growing audience around the world.
The adventure that many haven't heard, however, is the untold story – the amazing story of redemption within the journey of Jonathan Park itself, as God worked through a few dedicated people to "save" Jonathan Park, not once, but twice!
And for the record, for those familiar with the myth and legend that cats have nine lives, CreationWorks is not aspiring to reach this milestone – Lord willing, Jonathan Park will only have three lives.
Jonathan Park adventures have been rebranded, re-mastered and rereleased under CreationWorks. The highly anticipated Album 10 (The Journey Home) is expected to be released in a few weeks. You can see this and many other exciting, upcoming resources at JonathanPark.com.
