Welcome to Part 2 of our interview with the Green girls. If you haven't already, read Part 1 and get the inside scoop on some of the special features inside their family’s not so little recent project: the 430,000 square feet Museum of the Bible in Washington DC!
VICKEY: YOUR FAMILY NEVER WOULD HAVE FOUNDED THE MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE IF THE BIBLE ITSELF WASN’T SO IMPORTANT TO YOU ALL. WHEN DID YOU FIRST PERSONALLY CONNECT WITH GOD’S WORD.
Lauren Green McAfee and her mother, Jackie Green.
Jackie: I made my own decision to accept Christ when I was 5, but I’m so thankful I had family that took me to church and pointed me towards the Bible.
We’ve just found out that one of the items we have in the Museum collection is a Psalter (a book of Psalms) from a relative of mine waaaay down the line - Elizabeth De Bohun. So now, I have this question that resonates within me, “Did the prayers of that 15 generations back grandmother somehow pass down the line to benefit me?”
V: NOW THAT’S A LEGACY! LAUREN, WHEN DID THE BIBLE BECOME PERSONAL TO YOU?
Lauren: When I was homeschooled, Mom would gather us kids to memorize Scripture together. I saw my Dad reading His Bible before work every day when I went downstairs for him to teach me my Math lesson. Those things caused me to see that the Bible was important.
I remember wanting to read the Bible and thinking, “I’ll get to that later.” But, whenever I was in the eighth grade, Justin Sullivan, a Senior in my Youth Group died. At his funeral, they talked about Justin’s commitment to reading his Bible and journaling, even when he was on the road traveling with his teammates. They said that seeing the difference that made in his life caused a lot of his teammates to come to know the Lord. I started reading the Bible for myself at that point.
V: THAT’S AWESOME. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH THE BIBLE?
J: I just love the Bible App. Throughout my day, I can easily pull it out. A verse will come to my mind and I can pull it up so see how the rest of it goes. In the carpool line or wherever I am. If you’re having lunch with a friend, you can say, “You know, this verse really spoke to me.” Then, you can send it to them, share it, and they’ve got it right there. I love the accessibility of the Word now with the options of technology! I think that because my life is so busy and I’m always in and out, or in a car, a plane…just having it accessible is great.
V: LAUREN, WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH THE BIBLE?
L: I love the Reading Plans on the YouVersion App. They’ll have seasonal ones for Lent, Christmas and times like that. Every January, I start one of their yearly Bible Reading Plans. I read the daily Bible Reading Plan chapters and journal my prayers about it every night.
I also love engaging with the Bible in community. In my community group and Connection Class, we read the same passages, but I get to hear what God has been teaching others and the different angles they’re seeing. Then during Sunday morning services, I hear our Pastor who has spent hours and hours pouring over Scripture. That helps my Bible engagement because I get to learn from someone who has studied more than I could.
V: I’M CONFIDENT I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF US WHEN I SAY, “THANK YOU” TO YOU BOTH FOR PERSONALLY ENGAGING WITH GOD’S WORD. BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE FAITHFULLY DONE SO, THE ENTIRE WORLD MAY BENEFIT FROM THIS MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE YOU ARE BUILDING. THAT IS THE BEST OF LEGACIES!
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.
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 One 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.