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Grace World Outreach Church to show 'God's Not Dead'

 
Published Aug. 13, 2014

BROOKSVILLE — Hoping to attract an audience of all ages, Grace World Outreach Church will present the feature film God's Not Dead as a free gift to the community at 7 p.m. Friday.

The film, distributed by Pure Flix Entertainment, opened in theaters in late March and ranked No. 4 at the box office its first weekend. The "dome church" wants to offer people the chance to see it again, or see it for the first time.

"We've shown movies in the past, but we decided to pick one that was (recently) in theaters to be able to impact the community and get them interested in coming in," said Robin Cook, director of church ministries. "We have a fantastic facility here, and it's great for movies. It's going to be an open, inviting atmosphere."

The family-friendly film features actors Kevin Sorbo, Disney star Shane Harper, Dean Cain and David A.R. White and includes special appearances by the popular Christian band Newsboys and Duck Dynasty's Willie and Korie Robertson.

In the film, present-day college freshman and devout Christian Josh Wheaton (Harper) finds his faith challenged on his first day of philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentive professor Radisson (Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God or face a failing grade. Wheaton struggles with the assignment but realizes he can't abandon his faith. He refuses, and Radisson assigns him the daunting task of proving God's existence to the class over the course of the semester — or fail and jeopardize his academic goals.

With almost no support from those closest to him, Wheaton presses on with the challenge, and in the process exposes the underlying reason for the professor's dogmatic stand.

Cook is expecting a positive reaction to the film.

"I haven't seen the film, but some here who have say it's phenomenal," he said.

According to its publicity, the movie is more of an inspiration to Christians to stand up for their beliefs than an exhaustive apologetic on the film's title.

"The film will educate, entertain and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions," one news release states.

That was part of the film's attraction, said Cook.

"We need to not be ashamed of who we are in Christ. In order for people to realize that and understand it, sometimes you have to get to them in a story line like this," he said.

The movie is just under two hours. An intermission about halfway through will give viewers a chance to take a break and purchase food such as candy and popcorn.

"We'll give people the opportunity to go over to the Family Life Center and get snacks and stuff," Cook said. "We'll also play the movie over there. That way they can eat whatever it is they want to pick up and finish watching the movie there or just use the bathroom and go back in the dome."

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The movie will also play on screens in the church foyer in the event those with small children need to leave the sanctuary, Cook said.

Grace World Outreach plans to offer current films on a regular basis. In October, the church will present the recently released miniseries The Bible for several weeks as part of its 7 p.m. Wednesday services.