Article by Michelle Blackmon

bmblackmon@cableone.net

The Passion of The Christ 

A hot spot in the media, churches, and theaters nationwide is Mel Gibson’s daring film, the Passion of The Christ. What strikes me is that this is a movie, not a way of life. 

Aren’t we the Passion of The Christ? Aren’t our churches to be on fire for Christ? Yes, and this movie is sparking that passion. For example, consider the Full Gospel Evangelistic Center in Lone Grove, Oklahoma. A little country church near Ardmore, Oklahoma rented the entire theater for the first Sunday the show was out. Many churches have directed their passion in this way. However, this is a bold move for a small church of only 40-50 people. The rental, however, is not for the church congregation, but specifically designed for the tickets to be given away to the unsaved people in the city. There was a special prayer meeting Saturday night before to pray for lost souls, and then a special Sunday night services for any who saw the move to come to the church. The theater gave permission for an altar call on site and prayer right after the movie.  

Before this massive undertaking began, prayer support began. With these prayers driving this ‘revival’ in Oklahoma, the people were seeking the movie enough that the church bought another showing! 
Pastors Ken and Donna McMath head all this up. One person from the church, Gaye McDonald, states that Ken and Donna have seen ‘lots of miracles also through their prayer meetings they have each week on Tuesday morning, Tuesday night, Wednesday morning, and Thursday morning. They are go getters for sure and God is moving through them!” 

So, as you listen to the interviews, hear the controversy, read the reviews, and perhaps see this show…and as this movie sparks movement in hearts around the world during this season of Lent, I challenge YOU to find YOUR PASSION of THE CHRIST.

Copyright 2004 by Michelle Blackmon