Pastor pitches tent to spearhead ‘Passion’ outreach

BROOKSVILLE (FBC)–Each day, before the previews appear for a showing of Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ" in Brooksville’s Beacon 10 Movie Theater, Joe Santerelli shares with movie goers about the emotional "experience" of viewing the dramatic interpretation of the crucifixion.

The former bivocational pastor did not rent the venue for this ongoing opportunity as some churches have. But he quit his second job, pitched a tent outside theater doors, and organized manpower from across the Alachua Baptist Association for the evangelical outreach.

March 2 Santerelli contacted theater manager Rick Otte to inquire what activities Santerelli’s church, Hillside Community in Brooksville, could hold in conjunction with the showing of the movie. "How far will you let me go?" was the question which prompted Otte to offer Santerelli the opportunity to speak to every audience before each presentation.

"Anything that makes people turn to God–I’m all for it," said Otte, a member of a local Catholic congregation.

An insatiable hunger to share Christ led Santerelli to go one step further. He secured permission from the shopping center where the theater is located, to erect a tent. Three weeks later, the outreach continues and is scheduled to continue until the movie stops showing at the end of March.

The tent is manned with a rotation of local and associational church workers. Volunteers arrive 20 minutes before each of the three showings dismisses to distribute tracts and surveys.

The survey’s last question asks: "What do you think about the statement in the movie ‘I am the way the truth and the life?’"

"If they do not know the answer, we use that opportunity to share Christ," said Santerelli.

For follow up, Hillside volunteers give cards marked "Christ’s passion it’s your destiny" on one side and church contact information on the other side.

After enlisting other local evangelical churches, Santrelli required volunteers to sign an agreement that keeps the focus of the outreach on establishing a relationship with Christ, forbidding the discussion of doctrinal issues.

Motivated by the small church pastor’s zeal, Joe Maddox, director of missions of the Alachua Association, spent an afternoon volunteering at the tent.

"Joe Santerelli doesn’t let any-thing stop him from doing anything to lead

people to Christ," observed Maddox. "Through God’s leadership, little churches can do big things. This church is looking to the lost in the community."

According to Maddox, Santerelli has drawn the participation of persons from at least 13 churches in the association, and other congregations have pledged financial support.

Donations help pay for the thousands of tracts distributed to the 800-plus people who see the movie daily.

Even strangers have contributed funds to help continue this outreach.

One person gave Santerelli $100 to help the pastor pay his bills.

"The Lord has opened a door. I have done everything he told me to do and it has all worked out, so I can trust Him to provide for me too," said Santerelli who hopes his church will be able to employ him full-time in a few months.

That Hillside Community Church is leading other groups into their community and bringing on a full-time pastor is itself a testimony of God’s provision and an example for other churches, he said.

Two years ago Hillside almost closed its doors. After intervention from a revitalization team made up of Maddox, pastors and Larry Elliott, director of the Convention’s Church Planning and Revitalization Department, and financial assistance from revitalization funds from the Maguire State Mission Offering, the church today is a healthy, growing congregation reaching beyond its community.

As a result of the church’s involvement in the "Passion" outreach, at least 10 persons made professions of faith within the first few days.

On the first Saturday of the evangelistic effort, Santerelli met three high school girls after the movie’s final showing. The three girls stood outside the theater, one teary eyed, another crying, the third seemingly in shock. All three prayed to receive Christ. "I’m still pinching myself. I can’t believe the theater’s manager gave permission to do this," Santerelli paused. "It blows me away."