Bible-themed luxury resort to be built in San Diego?

Televangelist Morris Cerullo wants to build a Bible-themed resort in the Mission Valley area of San Diego.

Televangelist Morris Cerullo has been attempting to build a Bible-themed luxury resort for the past few years - and now there is only one more hurdle to jump.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - After purchasing a foreclosed Mission Valley hotel, Cerullo's plans for his Christian-themed resort have been unveiled. 

According to the LA Times, Cerullo envisions hologram catacombs, a 20-foot-tall wailing wall, an interactive biblical museum and  more.

The project will cost the televangelist $125 million, but it promises subterranean passages, a domed theater, 4D effects, time shares, a spa, a fitness center, fine dining and retail options - even a 12-minute "journey through the Bible," in which the parting of the Red Sea and hang-gliding over Israel are all part of the fun.

To help bring life to the project, Cerullo is working with Visioneering Studios, which will be engineering the necessary effects for the Biblical walk-through. 

Visioneering President Mel McGowan explained, "Part of our job is to design it for the broadest market possible. We're not doing our job if this is supposed to be a weird, evangelical mecca."

Jim Penner, the executive director of the Morris Cerullo Legacy Center, stated: "This idea of themed entertainment is going to start reaching into...museums, the waterfront. It's a business model. It's just based around religious themes rather than secular themes."

Robert Niles, editor of Theme Park Insider, explained, "History has shown with these kinds of projects that they don't really break out beyond the evangelical Christian market. People's fear of proselytizing overrides whatever technology they can throw at you. If you feel there may even be a mild sell, they won't come."

As 84-year-old Cerullo was unavailable for comment, Lynn Hodge, the chief executive of Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, stepped up to say what Cerullo "doesn't want when he dies is for this ministry to die."

After spending his life ministering, Cerullo has helped lead people to Jesus and claimed his Miracle Crusades have helped people walk and see again.

The only thing standing between Cerullo and his biblical resort is the San Diego City Council, which has yet to decide whether to approve the plan. Should they approve, Cerullo is ready to start construction as early as this year.

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