Passion hits SA churches
2004-03-10 22:40
Pretoria - The Passion of the Christ fever has hit South Africa.
With only two weeks to go before the local premiere of the controversial movie on the crucifixion of Jesus, numerous groups have organised special screenings.
The Christian Publishing Company (CPC), for example, will hold a special screening of the movie on March 21. Clients and church leaders will be invited.
Esna Viljoen of CPC said they are marketing a number of products linked to the movie. These included the soundtrack and books on the suffering of Jesus.
The Afrikaans e-church will also hold special screenings the following week. These will be for ministers, in particular.
Dr Stephan Joubert, from the e-church, said it was an issue the church had to address. He said the aim was to hold debates after each screening.
Being used as fundraising drives
The Rhema Bible Church is to hold two screenings on March 22 and 23.
The one will be used as a fundraising drive for their children's group, and the other will be used as an evangelical instrument by their Bible school.
Dr Graham Catto of the Hatfield Christian Church in Pretoria said they had not settled times and venues, but that the church would book out a theatre for its congregants.
Dr Isak Burger of the Apostolic Faith Mission said he doubted his congregants would use the film as an evangelical instrument.
Meanwhile, Radio Pulpit will broadcast an interview with Mel Gibson, the director of the film, on Friday at 07:30.
The interview will be conducted by Dr James Dobson, the American founder of the Focus on the Family organisation. Gibson will be asked why he chose to make the film.