Contact: Wesley Strackbein, 210-340-5250, ext. 222, press@visionforum.org
SAN ANTONIO, June 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis and the visionary behind the newly opened Creation Museum has been awarded the "2007 George Washington Man of the Year" by Vision Forum Ministries. The announcement was made by Vision Forum president Doug Phillips before an audience of nearly 2,000 gathered in Hampton, Virginia, as part of the opening ceremonies to the Jamestown Quadricentennial: A Celebration of Our Providential History.
The news that the award went to Mr. Ham brought a lengthy standing ovation and shouts of acclamation from the men and women in attendance.
"Ken Ham is the esteemed 2007 recipient of the George Washington Man of the Year Award because we believe him to be an individual whose vision and persevering spirit are noteworthy for giving hope to the next generation and defending the cause of Christ in our nation. Specifically, Ken's uncompromising defense of Genesis, and his long battle to open the Creation Museum, is one of the most singular contributions of our generation," observed Phillips.
"This milestone that Ken achieved earlier this year with the opening of a world-class museum is of such significance that there was no debate whatsoever that he should be the recipient of this award in 2007," Phillips explained.
Each year, Vision Forum gives the George Washington Man of the Year Award to recognize and honor that man who most clearly demonstrates, through their public courage, the stalwart spirit and mature leadership embodied by General George Washington. Each winner receives a large bust of Washington in conjunction with the award. While Mr. Ham was unable to be personally present for the 2007 award ceremony, he expressed his gratitude for receiving the honor in videotaped remarks that were played following the award's announcement.
"On behalf of the entire staff of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, I must say I am so honored to accept the George Washington Man of the Year Award," commented Ham, after which he spoke of his heart for his adopted country.
"I'm sure you can tell from my accent that I wasn't born here," Ham remarked, "But as well as being an Australian, I'm now an American citizen -- one who has deeply appreciated the Christian heritage of this great nation. But as we all know, America is not the Christian nation it once was. So we trust the new Creation Museum and the other outreaches of the AiG ministry will be greatly used of the Lord to reach my newly adopted country as we help rebuild the foundation of the authority of God's Word and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ."
In 1994, after a fruitful seven-year ministry conducting seminars across America for the Institute for Creation Research, Australian native Ken Ham founded Answers in Genesis, basing the new ministry in northern, Kentucky. One of Mr. Ham's primary goals in founding AiG was to build the Creation Museum, built in Petersburg, Kentucky.
"The purpose of the museum is to use observational science to show that the Bible is true, its history is true, and therefore the Gospel is true," explained Ham. "Just as Dayton, Tennessee, was ground zero for the defense of evolution in 1925, so Petersburg, Kentucky, will become ground zero for the defense of creation in 2007."
The Answers in Genesis Creation Museum -- which opened on Memorial Day -- is a one-of-a-kind, high-tech museum filled with animatronic displays, striking videos, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and a Special Effects Theater. These elements work together to illustrate the Bible as the supreme authority in all matters. This $27 million "walk through history" museum counters evolutionary natural history museums that turn minds against Scripture -- and Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe.
Concluded Phillips, "Our prayer is that, just as George Washington's perseverance in the cause of liberty helped birth a nation, Ken's perseverance in bringing this museum project from vision to reality will help birth a deeper appreciation for God's Word in the hearts of millions by proclaiming its veracity through this powerful exhibit."
To learn more about the Answers in Genesis Creation Museum, visit creationmuseum.org
To interview Doug Phillips regarding Ken Ham's receipt of Vision Forum's Washington Man of the Year Award, contact Wesley Strackbein by e-mail at press@visionforum.org or by phone at (210) 340-5250, ext. 222.
