On February 25, the movie The Passion of the Christ debuted in theaters every where, and there has been media hype about the film because of its intense message.  Mel Gibson directed and produced The Passion, and has said that he has wanted to make this movie for more than ten years.  It chronicles the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus Christ, and according to pastors in South Carolina, it is historically accurate and very gripping.

Because of The Passion’s R-rating due sequences of graphic violence, the movie has raised much controversy.  However, that has failed to stop several SC Baptist churches from using the movie to lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Several South Carolina Baptist pastors and other clergy were invited to preview The Passion, and most of them are saying that the film is more of an experience than a movie.

“What I experienced was a powerful and profound sensation,” Marshall Blalock, pastor of First Church Charleston and chairman of the SCBC Executive Board, said.  “I was transported in mind and heart two thousand years away.  Only moments into the movie, I felt as if I was actually present for the final hours of the earthly life of Jesus of Nazareth.”

Blalock was so moved by the movie that his church in Charleston used the movie as a ministry tool by encouraging all of their church families to see it together.  The church has a Christian school and will be taking the senior class as a group to see the film, and the church youth ministry group is hosting a night to view the movie followed by a gathering for students to share their experiences and ask questions, Blalock said.

Blalock is not alone in believing that The Passion will change lives and that it should be used a ministry tool to lead non-believers to Christ.

Other churches, such as Lakewood Church in Irmo, reserved theaters for the opening night.  Lakewood Church reserved the largest theater at Columbiana Grande, a total of 340 seats, and another theater of 170 seats.  “Since we use a myriad of multimedia presentations to introduce Jesus to our generation, Mel Gibson’s production of the Cross naturally fits into our strategy to connect with people,” Pastor Greg Dowey said. 

Since the movie’s release, Dowey has also planned several sermons about Jesus, specifically explaining that Jesus is the son of God, the only way to God and that he died and is now alive.

In Columbia, Shandon Church’s Minister of Single Adults Freddy Johnson is “encouraging people to buy two tickets and invest the second ticket in a person who might need to know Christ,” he said.  The college ministry at Shandon planned to rent a theater and offer tickets at a reduced rate for students and even a free ticket if they invite a non-Christian.

“While there is great intensity and graphic detail in the movie, there is a wondrous beauty to the awesome gift of God’s grace and love being lavished on the world as Jesus shed His blood for the cleansing of our sin,” Rick Fisher, pastor of Lexington Church, said.  Fisher previewed the movie and adds, “Not only should every Christian make a commitment to see this movie, we should each move to the next level and use this as an opportunity to introduce our friends, family members, co-workers and classmates to the Savior.”

Members of First Church Rock Hill are committing to see and promote The Passion as they have ordered promotional materials and scheduled to place advertisements in the local newspaper inviting people who have seen the movie and have questions to attend their church.  Pastor Steve Hogg will raise and answer several questions about the crucifixion in a four week sermon series during the four Sundays after the movie’s release.

The South Carolina Baptist Convention is offering helpful resources about the movie on the Discipleship page of their website, www.scbaptist.org.  Information about The Passion, including a link to the official website and SC cinemas showing the movie, are available on this site. 

For more information, contact the South Carolina Baptist Convention at (800) 723-7242, extension 4621 or email jimsimpson@scbaptist.org.