Biblical Resource Center

Past Newsletters:

Archaeology Workshop

The Biblical Resource Center and Museum hosted its 8th consecutive annual archaeology workshop for teenagers this summer, returning to the site of Caesarea Maritima. A dozen local and out-of-town youngsters uncovered the simulated remains of the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima, Israel on the Mediterranean Sea. The city was constructed by King Herod and you can read about it in the Bible.

Don Bassett guided the students through a look at the site of Caesarea, while Ms. B'Lou Carter led the Biblical study. Other activities during the week included guest speaker Dr. Patricia Podzorski from the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology at the University of Memphis and a presentation on underwater archaeology by experienced diver, Mr. Charley Carter.

The workshop was underwritten by Chick-fil-A, Collierville, with donations from Pepsi and Domino's Pizza.

BRC&M Recieves Archaeology Workshop Grant

Grant Gibbs, owner of Chick-fil-A Collierville presents a check to Don Bassett, CEO to underwrite the expenses for the annual archaeological workshop. The weeklong event held August 1-5 will teach young people the basics of archaeology and how it relates to the Bible.

Biblical Garden Tour

The Biblical Garden Tour at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baker was a great success.The Agape Garden, which features plants mentioned in the bible and many inspirational spaces, symbols, and messages from the Bible, has been the project of the Bakers over the last two years. Both of the Bakers are active Bible teachers in the Germantown Baptist Church.

To highlight the tour, Rick Pudwell, Director of Horticulture with Memphis Botanic Garden, offered lectures both days. Pudwell also assisted the Museum with the 2001 exhibit of botanical paintings of Biblical plants held at the Memphis Botanical Garden. The event was sponsored in part by Bank Tennessee and Chick-fil-A.

Annual Year-End Banquet

The BRC&M's first annual Year-End Banquet was held February 4th at Seasons at the White Church Restaurant in Collierville. BRC&M Chairman Don Bassett addressed a room full of supporters regarding the accomplishments of the past year and visions for the future. Special guests included Senator nd Mrs. Mark Norris and Alderman and Mrs. Jimmy Lott.

BRC&M Receives Collierville Foundation Award

The Biblical Resource Center and Museum was awarded a 2004-2005 grant from the Collierville Foundation Community Fund. The Grant will underwrite the expenses for our historical dig in Collierville's Historic District.

Don Bassett Receives Top Rotary Honor

Don Bassett, Chairman of the BRC&M, was named a Paul Harris Fellow at the December meeting of the Collierville Rotary Club.

BRC&M Board Member John Green presents Paul Harris Fellow Award to Don Bassett

Table of Contents

Bassetts on Excavation in Hazor, Israel
The Dig

Happenings
Old News

Bassetts in Hazor

Don Bassett stands with excavation director Amnon Ben Tor and Gordon Franz from Associates of Biblical Research in front of Hazor's Solomonic Gates.

Bassetts Dig alongside Noted Archaeologist Amnon Ben Tor

Despite soaring temperatures, primitive accomodations and a predictable menu of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, cheese and pickeled fish, Don and Nancy Bassett participated in a dig at the largest archaeological dig site in Israel this summer. The ancient site of Hazor covered about two hundred acres, twenty-five of which comprised the Upper City. This is where the Bassetts and approximately 60 other volunteers worked alongside the dig's staff and directors.

The site of Hazor was not only a battlefield in Joshua's day, it is still a battlefield in modern scholarship. Bassett explains that "in the recent decade many Israeli (and non-Israeli) archaeologists have deliberately sought to separate the discipline of scientific archaeology from the study of the Bible. They maintain the Bible is mythical, not historical. They say that the Bible does not deal in facts but pious fiction. These are the 'biblical-minimalists."

The Bassetts worked with some of the few remaining "biblical-maximalists" in Israel. These archaeologists say the Bible's historical account can be trusted. They have discovered significant evidence that reinforces their steadfast position.

Back to top

Archaeology Workshop

Jackson Le Forte and Jordan Tubbs carefully dig through one of the seeded pits.

Dr. Patricia Podzorski tells all about the many wonderful things we can learn about people (and cultures) from just a few bones.

BRC&M Hosts Annual Simulated Dig for Local Teenagers

In conjunction with the Bassetts' trip to Israel, the theme for this year's archaeology workshop was the site of Hazor. Ten local teens participated in the event that combines learning about archaeological field methodology with Bible study. The activities included a simulated dig conducted by Laura Deneke,Courtney Johnson, and Jacob Shock in which students excavated two pits that had been seeded to resemble different strata of the actual tel in Hazor.

Don Bassett and B'Lou Carter directed the portion of the workshop that explores the biblical texts relating to Hazor and how it relates to the archaeological data. Mr. Bassett discussed slides from his several trips to Hazor, as well as the similar sites of Megiddo and Gezer. Mrs. Carter taught several fimiliar stories from the books of Joshua and Judges.

The students and staff were treated to a special guest lecture from Dr. Patricia V. Podzorski, Curator of Egyptian Art for the Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology at the University of Memphis. Dr. Podzorski is a distinguished member of the archaeological community whose experience includes North American and Near Eastern Archaeology, Egyptology and Museum Studies, as well as expertise in several related fields such as Geology and Osteology (the study of skeletal remains). Her talk focused on osteology and its vital role in the field of archaeology as a whole.

Happenings

Jared Krebsbach, graduate student in Art History at the University of Memphis, recently completed his internship at the BRC&M. He developed an archival database for our library collection, cataloging all the many books, periodicals, video and audio cassettes and educational material.

Among our many recent visitors we were honored to have Susan Whitaker, Commissioner of Tourism for the State of Tennessee. Commissioner Whitaker was accompanied by State Representative Curry Todd, Kevin Kane and Mary Schmitz from the Memphis Convention & Business Bureau, and Warner Anthamatten and Courtney Elliott from the Collierville Chamber of Commerce.

Tour Groups

Cordova Child Care

Cordova Christian Academy

Faith Lutheran Church

Fellowship Christian Home Education

First Baptist Church Germantown

First Baptist Church Olive Branch

First Evangelical Church

Germantown United Methodist Church

Germantown Parkway Anglican Church

Greater Liberty Baptist Church

Hernando Home School Group

Memphis School of Preaching

Mid-America Theological Seminary

The Pointe at Kirby

Tennessee Commissioner of Touirism

Westminster Academy

Old News (Items from past newsletters)

Fund Raising Campaign

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Swift gave our building program fund raising campaign a generous kick-off.

Gift Kicks Off BRC&M’s Fund Raising Campaign

Don Bassett,Chairman/CEO of the Biblical Resource Center & Museum of Collierville announced this week that the Center has received a lead gift of $100,000 for its building fund from Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Swift of Yuma, Arizona.

Says, Bassett, “I have known Jerry and Geri (Geraldine) Swift for many years. Jerry, a native of Farmington, Arkansas, rose from humble circumstances to become a very successful plumbing and heating contractor and land developer in California. He is as tough as it takes to be successful in business. And he is as kind as it takes to make him a blessing in the lives of all who deal with him.

“Geri, a native of California, is a talented Bible teacher and religious writer whose gentle, Christ-like concern for her husband, her children, and every one she knows is her hallmark.

“Some time ago, I received a phone call from Mr. Swift. He told me that he and Geri wanted to make a donation to the BRC&M to help us get the new location on the Collierville Town Square (140 E. Mulberry) ready to open to the public. I thanked him and told him I would be grateful for anything they could send along. Then in his typically modest manner, he said, ‘It might help you in your planning process to have a definite figure--we plan to send you $100,000.00.’ And so they have. We are very grateful for this generous lead gift from the Swifts.”

Back to top

Cities of John & Paul

2002 Bible Lands Tour Enriching Experience

The comment most often heard during the recent “Cities of John & Paul Tour” was that the experience far exceeded expectations. And indeed it did. A truly congenial group made the trip even more enjoyable.

Turkey (“Asia” or Anatolia) is a virtual treasure trove of rich history, on-going archaeological dig sites, interesting customs and wonderfully friendly people. Not the least of them was our intrepid guide Husnu Ovacik. Turkey is also lavish with a wealth of Bible related places. Would that time and world conditions could have allowed further explorations in the central and eastern parts of the country. However, the western section of Turkey yielded enough places to keep the tour group quite busy.

Upon leaving Turkey the group was in Greece in less than an hour and preparing to climb the Acropolis and experience Mar’s Hill! Additional time spent in Greece covered Biblical sites from Corinth in the Peloponnesus to Philippi in Macedonia. Don Bassett related how each place, its history and archaeological discoveries related to the Bible.

“This experience has to rank Number One. This has made a change in my life, more than you’ll ever know.” - Elbert Young

To borrow a phrase from Hebrews 12:1, you might say this “great cloud of witnesses” would all agree that anyone interested in learning and reinforcing his or her faith try to make this trip. It is truly, as many have said, “the trip of a lifetime.” In Memory When we were just starting the BRC&M we needed a logo. Who could we turn to but the best---Bill Womack. You see his designs every day. Through the years he has garnered awards nationally and locally. He was a senior member of the staff at the Memphis College of Art. His peers recognized him as the consummate craftsman. Bill lost his wife, Kay, only months before he was stricken with a heart attack. Our sympathy is extended to his family.

Collierville firemen (l to r) are: Lt. Andy Rice, Keith Garrison, Eric Hardaway, Chaplain of the Department and Chief Dennis Rutledge.

BRC&M Donates Bibles

The BRC&M again participated in the annual Collierville Chamber Expo held on Saturday, October 18, 2002. Bibles to be given to local firefighters were available in our booth for people to sign and to express their appreciation for their service. The following inscription from the BRC&M was included in each Bible:

“This copy of the Sacred Scriptures was opened at a recent gathering of your fellow citizens of Collierville. They have left behind words to tell you how you are in their thoughts and prayers, each day. God keep and protect you.”

As in past years, Bibles were given to the Collierville Food Pantry to be placed in each food basket for the needy over the holidays.

Bible Lessons on the Square

The First Evangelical Mother’s Day Out group enjoyed an outing for “Storytime” at the town square. Nancy Bassett (in costume) hosted the youngsters.

Several Express “Thanks” for BRC&M’s Help

Before our fire a James Breckenridge, who teaches in a seminary in Korea and was here in the States working on his doctoral dissertation, came into the BRC&M. He was surprised and delighted to see our replica of the Moabite Stone (or Mesha Stela). He returned to take rubbings of the artifact. In a recent communique Breckenridge says that his dissertation has been completed and says that “your help was critical to the success of my dissertation last year (I was the Mid-America student who took the rubbings of the Mesha Stela replica).” He expressed thanks for the continuing help he has received in preparing for the classes he teaches.

Several teachers and churches around the country have requested help for Bible studies and were pleased with the material they received. One church is using the Daily Family Bible Reader lessons in their weekly bulletin.