CINEMATIC EVANGELIZATION `PASSION' TURNS INTO ONE FAMILY'S DEVOUT MISSION.Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer VALENCIA - A Valencia family is giving up three days in paradise to take friends to the movies. When news of Mel Gibson's film ``The Passion of the Christ'' started hitting the Internet a year ago, Maria and Eric Molina knew this was something they had to support. An eight-day stay in Hawaii planned for this summer was cut down to five days to pay for 95 tickets for the 2:05 p.m. Sunday showing at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Unable to book a large block of tickets in Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, , the Molinas chose to find the closest theater that could accommodate them during the first week of the film's release. ``It's that important,'' Maria Molina said, adding that neither she nor her husband has seen the movie yet. ``We want to experience the film with everyone else.'' Eric Molina, an ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. pastor and evangelist evangelist (ĭvăn`jəlĭst) [Gr.,=Gospel], title given to saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The four evangelists are often symbolized respectively by a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, on the basis of Rev. 4.6–10. , echoed his wife's enthusiasm. ``I'm excited to see it. I'm not looking to be entertained. I have seen a lot of Jesus movies, but they are of two schools - don't make it look too harsh and show the suffering or being politically correct politically correct Politically sensitive adjective Referring to language reflecting awareness and sensitivity to another person's physical, mental, cultural, or other disadvantages or deviations from a norm; a person is not mentally retarded, but with a liberal slant. They show the loving more Loving More is a magazine and non-profit organization concerned with support, advocacy and entertainment for the Polyamorous community. The three most visible projects of Loving More are Loving More magazine, the Loving More website and two annual Loving More conferences, one on than the suffering.'' The couple has already spent $1,500 on the first batch of tickets and plans on spending more of their own money to buy another block for Santa Clarita residents who want to see the film closer to home. Eric Molina has been talking up the film at Fuller Seminary seminary Educational institution, usually for training in theology. In the U.S. the term was formerly also used to refer to institutions of higher learning for women, often teachers' colleges. , where he is a divinity student, as well as at their children's school. ``We know that people know the story of the crucifixion crucifixion, hanging on a cross, in ancient times a method of capital punishment. It was practiced widely in the Middle East but not by the Greeks. The Romans, who may have borrowed it from Carthage, reserved it for slaves and despised malefactors. , but it would be nice to rekindle re·kin·dle tr.v. re·kin·dled, re·kin·dling, re·kin·dles 1. To relight (a fire). 2. To revive or renew: rekindled an old interest in the sciences. and revive their faith,'' Maria Molina said. ``We want them to remember that Easter is not about an egg hunt or ham on the table for dinner. It's much more than that.'' They are still not sure whether they will allow their own small children to see the film. Concerns about the violence have caused some critics to advise against bringing children to showings of the film. But the family's devotion to the film is unflagging. ``We believe in Jesus and we know Mel Gibson Noun 1. Mel Gibson - Australian actor (born in the United States in 1956) Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, Gibson U.S.A., United States, United States of America, US, USA, America, the States, U.S. wouldn't do anything out of character. He is a respected director and actor,'' Eric Molina said. ``I believe violence should be a part of the film when you talk about the blood of Jesus,'' he added. ``For the sacrifice to be complete, death should be through violent means. As I go out and invite people to see the movie, I find they are interested because of the controversy. If they are curious, it's a blessing.'' ``We're not wealthy,'' Maria Molina said. ``But it's so much more rewarding to share what we have with people who are less fortunate.'' ``I'm not trying to proselytize pros·e·ly·tize v. pros·e·ly·tized, pros·e·ly·tiz·ing, pros·e·ly·tiz·es v.intr. 1. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith. 2. , but as an ordained pastor and evangelist, it's my job to reach out to everyone,'' Eric Molina said. ``We want to let people who see this film know that I would be willing to answer questions they have after the film or even weeks later.'' Eric Molina is a pastor of the Christian Reform Church, which meets in small groups in private homes. He was assigned to this area because of the growing population. ``Santa Clarita is a very nice city, but it's unchurched un·churched adj. Not belonging to or participating in a church. n. (used with a pl. verb) People who do not belong to or participate in a church considered as a group. Used with the. ,'' he said. ``It's a huge mission field. We start by helping people experience the Gospel in their homes. It's much like how the church started, when people hid from Roman persecution by worshipping in their own homes.'' Eric Molina said his fellow seminarians have promised to pray for his cinematic outreach, some of them surprised at his outlay of cash to spread the word. Some people receiving the tickets have even offered to reimburse re·im·burse tr.v. re·im·bursed, re·im·burs·ing, re·im·burs·es 1. To repay (money spent); refund. 2. To pay back or compensate (another party) for money spent or losses incurred. the Molinas for the vouchers. ``We've told them to use the money to buy tickets for other people that want to see the movie and pass it on,'' Maria Molina said. ``That would be a beautiful chain reaction.'' Anyone wishing to get tickets for ``The Passion of the Christ'' from the Molinas can e-mail the couple at galatians324(at)sbcglobal.net Carol Rock, (661) 257-5252 carol.rock(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color -- ran in SAC edition only) Eric, Maria and young Isabella Molina flash a cache of tickets to ``The Passion of the Christ.'' The evangelical family purchased the tickets to give away and expose moviegoers to the gospels. David R. Crane/Staff Photographer |
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