Mel Gibson is promoting "The Passion of the Christ" in a way most Tinseltown types wouldn't dare: by going to church.
Fed up with the biased establishment media and a hate campaign launched largely by people who haven't even seen his movie, Gibson is taking the picture to the people.
"Pastors are urging parishioners to turn out for the film," USA Today reported today.
Ministers in Texas, California, Kansas and other states have rented theaters to show the movie, which opens Feb. 25, Ash Wednesday.
"This will be the catalyst for the conversion of hundreds of thousands of people," said the Rev. Jerry Johnston, pastor of First Family Church in Kansas City, Kan. "It's an unparalleled opportunity for evangelicals to help people who have not yet been born again."
The movie will be screened for thousands of evangelists at the National Religious Broadcasters' convention Feb. 13-20 in Charlotte, N.C.
The movie has been the top seller on the Fandango online ticket service.
"I've never seen this much excitement in the Christian community for a movie," NRB president Frank Wright told USA Today. "Hollywood is finally starting to see the benefit of making movies with strong Christian, spiritual themes."
Well, at least someone in Hollywood is.
Editor's note:
James Hirsen’s "Tales from the Left Coast" - Find out the real story behind Mel Gibson’s "The Passion," and more!
Mel Gibson fights back and talks with NewsMax Magazine – click here for new revelations
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