10,000 THUMBS UP FOR MEL GIBSON’S MOVIE, “THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST”

ORLANDO, FL  (ANS) -- More than 5,000 pastors and Christian leaders representing over 80 denominations and 43 countries had the opportunity to hear Academy Award®-winning actor/producer Mel Gibson share his faith and film, “The Passion of The Christ,” at the Global Pastors Network (GPN) “Beyond All Limits 2” conference, held Jan. 21-23 at Calvary Assembly in Orlando. (Pictured: Mel Gibson (director/producer) directs Jim Caviezel (Jesus) for The Passion of The Christ, a film by Mel Gibson. © 2003 Icon Distribution Inc. All Rights Reserved. A Newmarket Films release. Photo credit: Philippe Antonello).

The following day, conference organizers held a media briefing for local, national and international reporters to accommodate extensive media interest in reaction to the film from attendees, supplementing exit interviews after the screening the night before. All were virtually unanimous in their praise of the film and commitment to mobilize their congregations in support of its positive message of faith, hope, love, and forgiveness.

Attendees embraced the film as a powerful work of art, and expressed encouragement about Mr. Gibson’s strong personal faith and conviction to remain faithful to the biblical text in his dramatic portrayal of this story, without fear or apology. Some compared his unapologetic artistic expression of a the story foundational to the Christian faith to renown theologian Charles Spurgeon’s admonition, “The Word of God is like a lion – you don’t need to defend it, just turn it loose.”

Anyone who sees this film and thinks that the Romans and Jews killed Jesus missed the point,” said John Maxwell, chairman of GPN, and founder of Atlanta-based Injoy. “The point is, ‘God, it is my sin that put your Son on the Cross.’ He voluntarily laid down His life for all mankind, every person--not one group of people, not one nationality, not one race, not one religion-–but for all people.” (Pictured: Simon of Cyrene (Jarreth Merz) helps Jesus (Jim Caviezel) carry his Cross in a scene from The Passion of The Christ, a film by Mel Gibson. © 2003 Icon Distribution Inc. All Rights Reserved. A Newmarket Films release. Photo credit: Philippe Antonello).

Dr. James O. Davis, GPN president, said he has followed Mel Gibson’s career all his life – as an actor, director and a producer. “Now that I have gotten to know him as an authentic person who is equally authentic in his faith, I have even greater respect for him,” he said. “This film impacted my life, and I was deeply moved. I believe it contains the greatest message the world could ever hear. At times I sobbed, and at others I reflected, asking God to forgive me for the hardness of my heart and for my part in what happened.”

Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, pastor of Faithful Central Bible Church in Los Angeles, clarified that Mr. Gibson had no desire to focus the film for or against any particular group. “His heart is one of an artist who desires to accurately tell a story, based on a script he did not write, but which was already written,” he said.

“‛The Passion of The Christ’ is an unprecedented demonstration of the reality of the love of God and the resulting brutality love often experiences.” The group around Christ during his passion mirrors humanity – every one of us was in that crowd. His sacrifice was a voluntary expression of love like the world has never seen, through a life that was laid down as opposed to being cut down.”

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor of Moody Church in Chicago added, “Those of us who are often skeptical (of what comes out of Hollywood) were refreshed and blessed to be able to see Mel Gibson’s film. The dialogue fit very closely with the Bible, and most assuredly, with the time and sequence of what Jesus Christ endured. This is a film that can unite people, not divide them. That is the message that I hope will not be lost -- and I don’t think can be lost -- by people who see this movie.”
(Pictured: Jesus (Jim Caviezel) sits with the apostles at The Last Supper in a scene from The Passion of The Christ, a film by Mel Gibson. © 2003 Icon Distribution Inc. All Rights Reserved. A Newmarket Films release. Photo credit: Philippe Antonello).

“This film is not shy in declaring the Truth,” said Pastor Sunday Adelaje from Kiev, Ukraine, in the former Soviet Union. “I have been preaching for 20 years, but have never seen this story of suffering and redemption told with such conviction as Mel Gibson has done. This movie is not just going to change lives, it will change the church, it will change nations, it will change the world.”

Global Pastors Network is a growing coalition of Christian ministries, working together to train, equip and assist pastors worldwide. The three-day event centered around the theme, “Seven Steps to a Maximized Ministry,” and was designed to help pastors become more effective in their work.

Other conference speakers include D. James Kennedy, founder of Evangelism Explosion; Reinhard Bonnke, founder of Christ for All Nations; Kay Arthur, founder of Precept Ministries; Jack Graham, president of the Southern Baptist Convention; Bishop Eddie Long, pastor of New Birth Cathedral; Tommy Barnett, author and pastor; Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals; Chuck Norris, actor and spokesperson for Max.com; and Bishop David Oyedepo of Nigeria.

COMMENTS BY CHUCK NORRIS

“The Bible has withstood the test of time and ‘The Passion of The Christ’ really proves that,” said actor/director Chuck Norris, one of more than 75 speakers at the three day “Beyond All Limits 2” conference ending today in Orlando. “Like most movies, this film has generated differences of opinion, so I encourage everyone to go see it and judge for themselves when it opens next month.” As spokesperson for Max.com,  the father of seven and grandfather of nine children went on to address the crowd of Christian leaders on the importance of protecting young people from Internet pornography, pedophiles and other predators.
(Pictured: Chuck Norris speaking at the gathering -- Picture by Marie Dawson).

Following a Q & A session with Mel Gibson from the platform on Wednesday, the more than 5,000 conference attendees representing more than 80 denominations and 43 countries screened the movie – its largest and most diverse audience to-date. During exit interviews with national and international media, they were virtually unanimous in their praise of the film and commitment to mobilize their congregations in support of the film’s positive message of God’s love, hope, and forgiveness consistent with the overall theme of the conference.