Contact: Susan Zahn, WDC Media PR, 877-862-3600, szoffice@wdcmedia.com, faithwireservice@aol.com 

LOS ANGELES, March 24 /Standard Newswire/ -- Twenty-four years ago, two fishermen made a fascinating discovery in the Sea of Galilee: a 2000-year-old boat buried in the mud. On April 2nd, Cornerstone TeleVision Network's (CTVN) Focus 4 hosts The Jesus Boat Museum's CEO, Alon Kossonogi. He'll share the miraculous story of the boat's discovery and recovery, a tale that rocked the worlds of faith, history, and archaeology.

"It is our hope that people everywhere will come to revel in the wonder and relevance of the Jesus Boat," says Kossonogi. "When people see the boat, they say it makes them think that 'someone' is behind its discovery. And they truly believe that the 'someone' is Jesus, showing us he is here and watching."

The one-hour Focus 4 special -- which airs April 2nd at 1PM and 7PM; and Good Friday (April 3rd) at 1AM -- will feature many exciting video clips and interviews highlighting the boat's discovery, its grueling 11-day recovery from the muddy Galilee, and the many miracles experienced by the people involved.

"The Jesus Boat discovery is just like one of those stories from the Bible," says Yuval Lufan, who discovered the vessel with his brother Moishale. "It seems unrealistic, yet it happened. Our discovery is one of those incredible Bible stories, only it happened here and now, in this day and age."

During the Jesus Boat's discovery and excavation, people witnessed numerous simultaneous and inexplicable events that many believe were signs from God. Kossonogi will share these, as well as behind the scenes stories that didn't make it into the newly released DVD, The Jesus Boat Revealed. 

"I'm honored to be involved in promoting this important discovery," says Greg Robbins, filmmaker and faith-based films expert. "Aspects of this story actually sent chills up and down my spine!" 

So precious was the Jesus Boat's discovery that the Vatican asked permission to have the boat on loan for a few months to display it for the millions who visit the Vatican Museum each year. Though serious concerns about damaging the boat by transporting it in its fragile condition made the request impractical, the Vatican's keen interest in the Jesus Boat lends credibility to the excitement and miraculous events surrounding the vessel.

"We're thrilled to have Kossonogi as a Focus 4 guest," says Toni Hembree, producer at Focus 4. "It excites me to know that newly discovered artifacts prove the existence of our Savior as he walked the earth 2000 years ago."
 
About The Jesus Boat Foundation
The Jesus Boat Foundation, an American-based not-for-profit corporation, was created to facilitate and expand the educational work of the Yigal Allon Museum. For over twenty years, the Museum has been a rich and unique source of information for Israeli students as well as tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe. The foundation also assists in funding for the preservation of the Jesus Boat and the global inspirational outreach for the Jesus Boat experience. Resources from the Foundation fund a broad range of initiatives designed specifically to enhance the impact and inspirational influence of the Jesus Boat exhibit are ongoing.