Son of God
The new feature film based on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, "Son of God" is scheduled to be released in theaters all across the United States on the 28th of February. Meanwhile, churches and Christian leaders from all over the country are moving to further promote the new film in order to use it as a source for spreading the Gospel by purchasing multiplex screens before the day of the premiere.
Several multiplexes have already started showing "Son of God". James Meredith, the head of marketing and communications for Cinemark, expressed that it was probably the first time so many people were excited about a religious film. In the past such excitement was reserved for block busters.
Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church is already buying several screens in Orange County with the approval of the producers of the movie, Mark Burnett, and Roma Downey. He described that "Son of God" was probably the best Jesus film he had ever seen, and he had viewed many of these films on the same topic for the past 50 years. Pastor Warren even started a six-week long curriculum for a new Bible study program based on the new movie.
Besides taking over major theaters, many Christian leaders are even trying to buy single screens from smaller local cinemas. Pastor Warren had this to say:
"This is a rare opportunity to bring the story of Christ into our mainstream culture," said Pastor Warren. "We want to see Jesus in movie theaters where sight and sound can open up our senses and let grace come in. The message of the Gospel deserves to be on the big screen - and this is our chance to see it there."
Other activities churches have been undertaking even include the purchase and distribution of tickets for "Theater-Take-Over".
