Inland churches are receiving thousands of free tickets for a major film about Jesus’ life that is being released in multiplexes this week alongside Hollywood blockbusters.
“Son of God” is the first wide-release film about Jesus since 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ,” which has earned $612 million worldwide.
Christian films typically have limited showings in a few dozen cinemas. “Son of God” is opening on 3,000 screens nationwide, including at least 15 in the Inland Empire.
Riverside’s Harvest Christian Fellowship and Crossroads Christian Church in Corona are among about 100 churches around the country that received free tickets from the Colorado-based Christian charity Compassion International. Three thousand went to Harvest alone.
Churches and religious organizations also are renting out entire theaters for previews on Wednesday and Thursday before the movie is released Friday.
“Son of God” has received plaudits from leading evangelical, Catholic, African-American, Latino and Asian American religious leaders, including Saddleback’s Pastor Rick Warren and Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archbishop José Gómez.
Churches across the country have received “Son of God” promotional materials, including links to a 22-minute video and emails with suggested Facebook, Twitter and Instagram postings about the film.
You can watch the trailer here, The Son of God Movie Trailer
