Press Releases
Christmas Season Marks Opportunity to Reach Unchurched
New book and website about the Nativity coincides with the release of
New Line Cinema’s The Nativity Story
Los Gatos, CA (October 30, 2006) - There are many myths surrounding Christmas, but one truth stands out; people who don’t regularly attend church often decide to do so during the holiday. And more people go on the Internet than any other time of year. This pattern provides an extraordinary opportunity to reach the 76 million Americans who are unchurched.
On December 1, New Line Cinema will release The Nativity Story, which chronicles the journey of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Christ. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the film provides a chance to reach skeptics, the unchurched and the tens of millions who think of Christ only during Christmas or Easter.
To coincide with the release of the film, Global Media Outreach, an Internet ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, is releasing its own book and website; The Nativity (Life ConneXions) and www.thenativity.com. Global Media Outreach presents the gospel through dozens of websites on various contemporary issues to attract seekers. According to Michelle Diedrich, Communications Director with Global Media Outreach, "the Internet has become the new field for harvest for Christ." If Christmas is a time to focus on what matters most, The Nativity book and website steer the focus of the season away from materialism and back to the miraculous birth of Christ.
In The Nativity, author Mark Weimer poses the most important question of all: “How will we welcome Jesus?” He suggests there are only three possible answers to this question. “We can ignore Him like the crowds in Bethlehem, we can reject Him like the jealous King Herod, or we can welcome Him into our lives.”
Weimer reminds us that the name Jesus is not just any name; it means, “God is salvation.” In short, it means to be saved. For Weimer and his colleagues at Global Media Outreach, The Nativity offers a perfect opportunity for Christians to reach their unchurched neighbors and friends. They are encouraging Christians to give the book to non-churched friends, relatives or neighbors and direct them to the website.
In a world where fear, uncertainty, pain and stress rule the day, the story of Christ’s birth brings us back to the reality of God’s plan for salvation. Weimer reminds us that some people will choose to remain spiritual skeptics. He notes that skeptics were present in the beginning, even those, like Zechariah, who loved God. “We begin to see a pattern emerge,” explains Weimer, “some people respond to God in faith while others do not.” The bottom line, however, is to give everyone a chance to decide how they will respond to God’s greatest gift.
To schedule an interview regarding The Nativity, call Creative Resources @ 800.858.9388
For more information, see TheNativity.com