Kerrville, TX - TCKF News Release - March 12, 2009

OVERVIEW:
A non-profit, Christian arts organization, named The Coming King Foundation (TCKF) has been prevented for the past three months from erecting a multi-million dollar, "77 foot cross" on its own property, which overlooks Interstate 10 in Kerrville, TX. The massive 70 ton cross was designed to be erected in a 300' long, cross-shaped garden, at the highest point of the property.

Neighbors of the TCKF property, located near a "one road" rural, unincorporated development outside the City Limits of Kerrville, filed a Temporary Restraining Order in the 216th District Court of Texas, on December 8, 2008, to stop the erection of the unique seven story, cross sculpture in The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden now under construction.

The lawsuit was filed just weeks before "The Empty Cross"® sculpture was to be erected on its concrete foundation. Other neighbors, in January 2009, joined the lawsuit to seek a Permanent Restraining Order to stop the cross from being erected.

In an effort to resolve the matter in a Christ-like, Biblical manner, Mediation was requested by TCKF but was unsuccessful on 1/29/09.
On 2/24/09, the original Plaintiffs withdrew from the lawsuit by filing a Non-Suit. However the lawsuit to stop the cross is still ongoing.
TCKF attorneys deny every allegation, and on 1/28/09 filed a motion for Declaratory and Summary Judgment. The case is currently scheduled to go to Trial in early June 2009, Judge Keith Williams presiding.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT
Since 2005, TCKF has been building a beautiful, 23 acre, non-denominational Sculpture Prayer Garden at the main entrance of Kerrville, Texas. The scenic Garden overlooks Interstate 10 and Highway 16, which is the main entrance to the popular "Hill Country" town.

By the providence of God, the Garden is located half way between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on Interstate 10, at the same latitude as Israel. It also visually looks like the Holy Land, with its rolling hills, vegetation, vistas, and thousands of genuine, 2.25 ton limestone blocks.
According to artist, Max Greiner, Jr. the founder of the non-profit art foundation: "The purpose of The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden is to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ, while blessing visitors with a free, world-class, landscaped Christian sculpture park."

The dynamic cross sculpture has been under construction at Eagle Bronze Foundry in Wyoming for over two years. The foundry created the massive Cor-tin steel cross sculpture at their actual cost, for the glory of God. Christian owners, Monte and Beverly Paddleford, own and operate the largest art foundry in the USA, and have cast more monumental bronze sculptures than any other foundry

Greiner, the artist who designed the cross, also gave up his profits, as a gift to God saying: "The Lord calls all of His children to use their gifts, talents and resources for His glory - to build His Kingdom and bless others."

The Trustees of the non-profit Christian art foundation state it is their constitutional right to raise the cross of Jesus Christ on their private property and believe that God will make this possible by providing everything needed to finish the Garden.

In its entire five year history, TCKF has not borrowed any money, gone into debt, or used public tax money. The Garden is being built on faith in God.

The organization is run entirely by volunteers, like Vice President, Jim McKnight who stated his reason for serving: "Families are looking for some glimmer of hope in the current shaking of everything that can be shaken. Sowing my time, prayers, and contributions in the excellent soil of The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden is my way to help replace despair with the knowledge of victory won by my Lord, Jesus Christ."

Ultimately, over a dozen monumental, Christ-honoring sculptures worth millions of dollars will be on permanent display. These bronze sculptures will include a twice life-size "Lion of Judah" Ten Commandments Monument. Other sculptures by various artists, including Beverly Paddleford, will feature Biblical themes in bronze from the Old and New Testaments.

Bible verses will also be presented in multiple languages on "Scripture Tiles" to visitors throughout the 23 acre Garden. Everything in this Garden is designed to encourage and point people to God.

Valued at several million dollars, the massive open cross, planned for the top of the 1930' hill, will be the largest sculpture and focal point of the entire Garden. All of the artwork is being donated by internationally collected, professional Christian sculptors. In addition to the world-class artwork, the Garden will also have beautiful landscaping, walking and bike trails, water fall fountains, picnic areas, side gardens and public restrooms.

Since 2004, individual Christians from across the USA have given their prayers, time, services and money to make the Christ-honoring Garden a reality. Donors Patsy and Lyle Jordan said: "People will find God at the Garden!"

The valuable property, on Interstate 10, was donated by the Hershel Reid family, for the glory of God, through an genuine miracle involving at least nine Northern Harrier wild hawks, which occurred in front of 19 witnesses on September 16, 2005.

Bob and Elizabeth Glover of Kerrville wrote: "We believe with all our hearts that this Prayer Garden and "The Empty Cross" ® will lift up our Lord Jesus, who said, ‘If I be lifted up, I will draw ALL men unto Me."

Even former Governor Mike Huckabee of Little Rock, AR wrote Greiner saying: "These Gardens sound like a wonderful idea and I'll definitely pray we get one here!"

Followers of Jesus Christ from across America have already donated about two million dollars in cash to the Garden project, not counting the four million dollars worth of monumental art that is being given to this evangelical Garden, by the Christian artists.

Recently, TCKF successfully passed an audit by the IRS, triggered by false charges filed by an atheist, who has harassed and attacked TCKF and Greiner for years, in an unsuccessful effort to discredit Greiner and stop the cross and evangelical Garden.

According to foundation leaders, the Sculpture Prayer Garden will be finished and opened to the public as soon as enough charitable gifts have been received. About two million dollars is still needed to complete the world-class Garden.

It is believed once open, the unique Sculpture Prayer Garden will become a national landmark. Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau Director, Sudie Burditt, after learning of the Sculpture Prayer Garden project said, "This is wonderful! Fantastic!" The Garden is only 60 miles from the Alamo and San Antonio River Walk, the top two tourist attractions in Texas.

Dr. Bruce Cook, a TCKF Trustee from Austin, TX recently stated: "I believe cities have a God-given destiny, just like people. Kerrville has a unique destiny, to serve as a beacon for the faithful and a destination for tourists from around the world." He went on to say: "The Sculpture Prayer Garden will be a tremendous draw and financial boon for the local area."

STATUS OF PROJECT
The 23 acre Garden has been under construction since 2005. Approximately two million dollars have already been raised and spent on the Kerrville Garden. About two million more dollars are still needed to finish the Garden.

A gift of five to seven million dollars would allow TCKF to build an optional Visitors Center, Biblical museums, amphitheater, and a chapel. All gifts to this 501c3 organization are tax-deductible.

The beautiful, 77'7" steel cross, which has been under construction for almost two years, at a "hard cost" of roughly one million dollars, has a replacement market value of approximately three million dollars. Recently finished by Eagle Bronze Art Foundry of Lander, WY, the spectacular cross sculpture is now sitting in Wyoming, waiting to be delivered. At this moment, TCKF needs about $100,000 to transport, off load and erect the cross on the site.

Christian sculptor, Max Greiner, Jr. contends that "The Empty Cross"® design may be the most scripturally symbolic, monumental cross sculpture ever created, because of its Biblical dimensions and symbolism.

The 140,000 pound (70 ton) Cor-tin steel cross measures 77'7" tall, with a 40' wide cross bar. It has a square, 10' x 10' footprint, like the "Holy of Holies." The 7 foot wide space in the center of the cross will allow visitors look up seven stories and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, at the "foot of the cross", if they wish.

The red/brown color of the Cor-tin steel represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The open, hollow design symbolizes the "Resurrection", the "Light of the World", the "Iron Scepter" the "Door", and the "Narrow Gate" that all must enter to find God.

Just over seven years ago, on 12/9/09, a "prophetic word" was spoken over the artist and his wife, Sherry, from the pulpit of Cathedral of Praise church in Austin, TX, by a guest pastor, Dr. Mahesh Chavda. The preacher, who didn't know the artist at the time, prophesied publicly that Greiner would be involved in the rebuilding of the Tabernacle (Amos 9:11-12 & Isaiah 2:2-3).

Eight months later another stranger, Marlon Quibodeaux of Beaumont, TX emailed Greiner and told the artist that God was "calling" him to erect a 77'7" cross on Interstate 10. During the artist's prayer for God's will, Greiner believes the Holy Spirit gave him the designs for the historically unique cross and 300 foot cross-shaped evangelical Garden. The artist would later learn that this dimension was exactly twice the length of the original Tabernacle created by Moses in the desert, measured in Egyptian cubits!

Therefore, Greiner takes no credit for the powerful designs, which he insists were given by God, just as the designs of the original Tabernacle were given to the artist, Bezalel thousands of years ago (Exodus 35:30-35). However, this Kerrville Garden is not about art or artists. It is about God. Supporters hope the Kerrville Garden will be the model for other Christ-honoring, self-funded Sculpture Prayer Gardens around the world.

Well-known Christians who have already prayed over the Kerrville Garden project include: Governor Mike Huckabee, US Senator, Dr. Bill Frist, Franklin Graham, Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Rick Warren, Dr. Pat Robertson, Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. Paul Crouch, Josh McDowell, Ken Blanchard, Coach Bill McCartney, Tony Perkins, Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, Dr. Mahesh & Bonnie Chavda, Joni & Marcus Lamb and Dr. Bill, Vonette and Brad Bright, to name just a few.

FINAL NOTE:
Since litigation is ongoing, please direct all questions regarding the specific aspects of the case, to TCKF attorney, Barbara Cole at (972) 735 8412, Barbara@colelawfirm.com.

Information on the Garden is available from:
The Coming King Foundation, P.O. Box 290555, Kerrville, TX 78029-0555
Email: office@thecomingkingfoundation.org Website: www.thecomingkingfoundation.org
Additional information can be found on Greiner's website: www.maxgreinerart.com

###

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.