Scaremare presents fun-house rooms and scenes of death in order to
confront people with the question "What happens after I die?"
Groups of people experience a 40-minute journey, passing through creepy
trails, dark woods and eventually entering the House. At the end of the
experience, visitors are presented with an answer to this question and given
the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Approximately 26,000 people have
made decisions for Christ over the past two decades. Ironically, this House
of Death points to the Way of Life!
Scaremare has been held at four different locations, including a mansion
in Amherst County and an old hospital building in downtown Lynchburg. It
presently operates at 2300 Carroll Ave, Lynchburg (the City Stadium exit,
off of US Route 29 North).
The Scaremare project continues in the planning process year-round, but
swings into high gear from August through November. The House is opened to the
public during the last three weekends in October.
Thousands of volunteer hours go into the preparations of this project. It
takes a cast of 300+ Liberty University students to operate the House each
night. Scaremare is sponsored by the Center for Youth Ministries at Liberty
University.
Since 1972, more than 300,000 people from several states have made the
trip through the House of Death that you are about to take.
The House attracts over a thousand people every Thursday night. Fridays and
Saturdays can typically average between 2,000 to 4,000. The all-time record for
attendance on one night was 4,500 in 2007.
"Growing up in Holland, things surrounding my faith were always very different.
I lived in Holland for 17 years and then moved to America to attend a year in high school.
I went with some of the students from my youth group to Scaremare. I remember being scared
out of my mind, but having a great old time. I remember walking into the tents at the end
thinking this does not look like fun. A Liberty student started talking about how without
Jesus you could not get to God. The student drew in the sand with a stick to explain that
on one side, there was me and on the other side, there was God. He explained that in order
to get to God you have to go through Jesus. When the student was done, he prayed with us
and during prayer, he asked if any of us would like to accept Jesus and if we would,
to raise our hand. Everything now making total and complete sense, I raised my hand.
I am grateful every day for an outreach like Scaremare because it is such a great way
to reach students today." - Lynn
"It's been almost a year and Scaremare is still ministering my walk with God. I've gone
through a few fun/death houses. Actually I'm even a part of one in Miami, FL. Scaremare is
a … stunning way to draw the lost to redemption, and to quicken a holy living in the believer.
It may not be for everyone, but most needed it. Thank you LU for making it all happen." - Melissa
"Last night I went to Scaremare, it was the scariest Haunted House I have been in, and it
also had the best message. We traveled 4 hours there from VA Beach and back but it was worth
it. My best friend and her brother got saved, and I was so happy for her. All I could do was
hug her. I think Scaremare is a really good idea, and it should keep going!"
"I would like to commend you on the wonderful job that you all did. Every volunteer that
I spoke with was friendly, helpful and courteous. The scare house was great! It was realistic
and thought provoking. I look forward to the follow-up that will take place with some of my
students in the next few weeks as a result of the experience at Scaremare. Thank you again
for this ministry and this effective tool for spreading the wonderful news of our Lord Jesus.
May God richly bless the ministry of Scaremare and also each individual that worked on the project"
- Minister to Students, VA
"I would just like to say that Scaremare is great. I think it is well worth the wait to get in.
I would also like to thank all of the volunteers for making it very scary and spooky for all to
enjoy, they do a great job."
"I just wanted to say SCAREMARE IS AWESOME!!"
"I just wanted to let you know that we visited Scaremare for the first time this past Saturday
evening and we thought it was excellent. My husband and I took our son and his friend through the
house and were very impressed by the way it was prepared! You should feel very proud of your accomplishment."
"Scaremare gave me the opportunity to make my friend think about her life. Whether she will
ever come to believe in God and accept Him into her life, I don't know but at least she has to
think about it and make her decision. Thank you for giving me the chance to share Christ with her
through the whole Scaremare experience."
Scaremare is carefully planned with safety in mind. Strict building, fire and
insurance codes are maintained in the House and on its properties. Liberty University
Police Department, fire, EMS and security personnel are on the premises at all times.
In the event of an emergency, Liberty University Police Department, fire, EMS and
security personnel will respond quickly and professionally.
Scaremare should be seen as a conversation-starter. One of its purposes is to
present the salvation message of Jesus Christ. An aspect of that life-giving message
is that we will die in our sins and experience judgment. The House presents a "message"
that "it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
This is displayed through several scenes of death. The message at the end of the journey
delivers the final point – "what will happen when you die? Jesus can give you life." Jesus
himself told the parables of hell (Luke 16:9). He was not trying to "scare a decision" out
of people, rather, He was making them come to grips with the reality of judgment.
There are always trained volunteers who are prepared to talk and counsel those who
make decisions. In addition, we offer a free download that provides information to help
people take the next steps in their Christian growth.
While Scaremare takes advantage of the harvest season, it does not celebrate Halloween.
There is no Halloween emphasis or activity at Scaremare.
The Scaremare experience is a form of entertainment for all people in the community and
the surrounding areas. Many of them attend several nights each year because of the entertainment
factor. Proceeds from Scaremare cover all project expenses and assist Liberty University
student ministry projects.
Scaremare is not for everyone, but it is an evangelistic project that has proven to be
effective over the past 40 years in Lynchburg and for the 300 churches who participate each
year. Skeptics are welcome to visit the House and see for themselves what happens. If there
are still questions or concerns, we invite them to visit our office and talk with any of our
staff. The bottom line is that sincere Christians are going to have disagreements over
styles and methods of evangelism.
