CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina professor is using his science skills to tell the story of Easter. 

Jay Zimmer is an assistant professor of biology at Gardner-Webb University. He's worked at the university for 13 years. 

"I love science and I love people. Being a professor of biology, I get the best of both worlds," Zimmer said. "The students are awesome. It's very rewarding, especially seeing them going into careers like medicine and such." 

Teaching at a private, Christian, liberal arts university gives Zimmer opportunities to relate science to something important to Christians across the world: Easter. The holy day celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death on the cross. 

As part of the Easter celebrations, families reflect on the resurrection, which for many symbolizes life and hope. 

Zimmer hosts talks and tours about the crucifixion of Jesus, not just during Easter, but year-round. These events take place on and off the campus grounds. 

During the talks, Zimmer shows props he created, like a crown of thorns, to help people better understand the experiences Jesus went through.

"Having the [crown of thorns] placed lightly on my head is pretty painful," Zimmer said. 

According to Matthew 27:27-31: "Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him." 

Madison Massie is a nursing student at Gardner-Webb who was once a student in Zimmer's anatomy class. 

Massie says Zimmer's presentations about the crucifixion are making an impact with many in the Gardner-Webb and surrounding community.

"It's really powerful for me who's been a believer since I was 11 years old to learn about it," Massie said. "I learned a lot of things I didn't know." 

"It makes me feel very proud," Zimmer said. "I see science not as an enemy of faith but something that complements my faith. The more I understand about science, the deeper it drives me in my faith." 

Zimmer hopes the Easter story encourages more people to keep their heads up and never give up on their purpose. 

"Sometimes we're so busy looking at our cellphones and laptops, myself included, I don't think we take time to look up," Zimmer said. "I think Easter time gives us pause from our daily life to see there's something bigger than us in life. There's hope, there's destiny. I think a lot of people are struggling with that."

Zimmer's efforts have been recognized across many communities. 

In addition to radio interviews, Zimmer contributed to a documentary for The Rome Reports, a news agency in Italy specializing in covering the pope and the Vatican. The video documented the suffering of Jesus and ways Zimmer and others are keeping the story alive.