This Saturday, January 21, Howard Performing Art Center (a venue often filled with freshmen yawning through informational lectures or entranced listeners clapping after a musical performance) was buzzing with something a little less ordinary—laughter. This was because Rich Aguilera was hosting his “Creation Adventure,” a family-friendly show in which he uses puppets, jokes, and wit to entertain his audience while also teaching them more about God. Rich Aguilera is a popular Adventist figure known for his children’s outreach program and love of archeology, paleontology, and nature. Many know him simply as “The Mud Guy” due to his popular nature-themed column in Guide Magazine titled "MUD." For this show, he combines his scientific knowledge, clever humor, and ventriloquist skills to teach children about the Bible and creationism.
Upon walking into HPAC for this event, I was immediately surrounded by an atmosphere of playfulness. Whether it was the welcoming faces helping everyone get their tickets or the kids running around with their newly bought dinosaur plushies—everyone was there to have a good time. It was also striking just how many young children were laughing with their families even before the show began. In the end, that’s what really shocked me about Rich’s performance—just how engaged he was able to keep his young audience from beginning to end. Many well-meaning individuals who attempt to teach children about the Bible end up losing their attention after a solid 5 minutes, tops. However, that wasn’t the case with Rich, whose humor and subtle silliness ended up pulling in the kids' curiosities and engaging them throughout the entirety of the hour-and-a-half show. From getting scared by random air horn blasts, to winning prizes, to laughing at Rich's nacho-obsessed puppet, the audience was engaged in a manner that many teachers and parents alike would give anything for.
The central theme throughout the presentation was the concept of Creationism: the belief that God created the earth in seven days as presented in Genesis. By showing off archeological artifacts, employing historical evidence, and presenting logical reasoning, Rich showcased the pillars of Creationism. Rich then wrapped his show up by sharing the gospel’s message of God’s love, death, and resurrection. The presentation itself was well-organized, and it felt as though the children were able to absorb and understand what Rich was saying, all while having a good time.
In order to present my takeaway from this event, it first must be addressed that not everyone in the church would agree with Rich’s Creationist message. There are thousands of Christians who believe in Creationism and thousands of Christians who don’t. Regardless of your personal belief, Rich’s show emphasizes the importance of seeking out knowledge and knowing what you stand for. When we aren’t equipped with the tools to defend and share our beliefs, then we aren’t living up to God’s potential for our lives. By admitting what we don’t know and seeking out truth, we can learn more about this fascinating world and be better equipped to share God's love to those around us. As Rich put it, “[Children] deserve the real truth,” and if we want to share the truth then we ought to know it ourselves, first.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.