A regional leadership team representing Bible League International will host a special public gathering on Saturday, October 31, at the private Green Oaks Museum south of Fairview.
The main purpose of the event is to build awareness for worldwide scripture distribution and ministry programs.
Private Wildlife Collection Museum
The host venue, Green Oaks Museum, was constructed by the Andy Van Beek family and is not typically open to the public. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., attendees can take self-guided tours of the vast wildlife collection.
Starla Reitsma, a member of theNorthwest Iowa Leadership Team for Bible League International, described the venue’s unique setting.
“The museum was built by the Andy Van Beek family, and it’s south of Fairview on a blacktop road,” Reitsma said. “It’s not typically open to the public, but they hold events there, and there are over a hundred. I’m not sure if it’s closer to two hundred animals now. I’m not sure the exact number, but animals that have been harvested from different countries throughout the world by the Van Beek family.”
Visitors will be able to see full-sized taxidermy displays—including alligators, bighorn sheep, and various bird species—arranged up close in realistic habitats complete with rocks and native grasses.
Admission and Giving Information
Reitsma added that the combination of wildlife exhibits and ministry presentations makes the morning an ideal event for families.
“We encourage families to come. Last year there were a lot of kids there that, you know, found it very interesting. And sometimes when we plan events for Bible League, it’s, you know, it might be for a group of women, it might be a, a luncheon, but this is one that is definitely for the guys and for the whole family to come. And last year we had a lot of, uh, families and kids. And it was really fun because for us, we’re also, you know, raising awareness for Bible League and asking people to pray for them and their mission.”
Organizers offer free admission to the museum and do not require advance registration. Though the event centers on outreach education, staff will collect a brief offering from anyone who wishes to donate. Organizers will take separate offerings for the museum and Bible League International’s global efforts. Donations to the museum will go to support an orphanage in Mongolia.
