Lauren Green McAfee and her mother, Jackie Green.
I’m excited to welcome to our blog today the dynamic Mother-Daughter duo of Jackie Green and Lauren Green McAfee! Their latest family “project” is truly one of Biblical proportions – founding the 430,000 square feet Museum of the Bible (MOTB), located in Washington D.C., just three blocks from our nation’s capitol.
Jackie and Lauren have been actively involved in the MOTB project since its beginning stages, so we thought we’d get the scoop from them in this two-part post.
VICKEY: 430,000 SQUARE FEET IS A LOT OF SPACE! WHAT IN THE WORLD IS IN ALL THAT SPACE?
LAUREN: There are three main exhibit floors, each designed by a different sub-designer and having its own unique look and museum experience. The History Floor is laid out chronologically, beginning with artifacts from the earliest forms of writing – cuneiform, Dead Sea Scroll fragments, manuscripts, Torah Scrolls, medieval manuscripts, things printed on the Guttenberg Press and more.
The Impact Floor has a more modern, Apple Store look. With lots of media and digital screens, looking at different ways the Bible has and is impacting the world – through areas like music, movies, time and date, the family structure, justice system, social media, fashion and more. One of our most impactful features will be a fly-thru theatre on this floor. It’ll be like a Disney experience where it’ll feel and smell like you’re soaring thru D.C., seeing where and how Scripture has made its mark.
JACKIE: It’s a totally new technology. There’s only one theme park using it.
L: The Narrative Floor gives a high-level overview of the story of the Bible with some amazing walk through and highly immersive Bible experiences. You’ll feel like you’re walking through the Bible!
V: WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE EXPERIENCES YOU’VE HAD DURING THIS PROCESS?
J: One that I never saw coming was to rub shoulders with all people of
faith – with the Catholic and Jewish community, besides the Protestant Community. I mean, last week we were sitting with the Ambassador to Israel at the Vatican Embassy – with the Monsignor on one side and the Israeli Ambassador on the other. I think God must be looking down smiling because we all love the Word. There are a lot of differences among us, but we ALL love the Bible, which is God’s Word, and that must make Him happy. We can sit together and all be amazed at what He is doing.
V: I KNOW I’M AMAZED! I CAN’T WAIT TO TOUR THE MUSEUM WHEN IT OPENS IN NOVEMBER!
Jackie Green is a full-time homemaker who relishes her roles of wife, mother to six children, mother-in-law, and “Gigi” to four grandchildren. Married to her high-school sweetheart, Steve, for more than 30 years, Jackie actively supports him in his high-profile role as President of Hobby Lobby and Chairman of the Board of Museum of the Bible.
Lauren currently serves as Corporate Ambassador for Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. In this role, she seeks to promote company values, share company news, and encourage employees and customers. She is also currently a PhD student, studying Ethics and Public Policy with Dr. Russell Moore as her supervisor. Lauren and her husband Michael have been married over eight years and live in Oklahoma City.
Be looking for Part 2 of this interview where we’ll talk about what sparked their personal love for the Bible and their favorite ways to engage with it.
In the meantime, here are 3 Ways You Can Support the Museum of the Bible:
FOLLOW and SHARE. You can find them at museumofthebible.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
DONATE. People can donate any amount & have their names on their Million Names Donor Wall saying, “I stand for the Bible.”
PRAY. The potential for impact is life-altering and history-making! Pray for protection, direction, safety, and impact.
Meet the Author!
Bible teacher, author, inspirational speaker and disciple-maker, Vickey Banks is passionate about helping women connect the dots between God’s Word and their everyday lives. She loves serving as Women’s Ministry Director at Council Road, celebrating her people, playing with her puppy, traveling the world, and getting lost in a good story.