I’m not just asking you to go to the movies, I’m asking you to do it on a Friday evening, at the beginning of the Sabbath. Are you in? If you’re hesitating, I want you to know this is going to be a real blockbuster.
As you probably already know, Friday, November 4 will be the opening night of the Hacksaw Ridge, the dramatic story of fellow Adventist, Desmond Doss. This feature film will be Action, Adventure, and Drama all wrapped up in one that will prove to be a crowd-pleaser. The theaters will be packed. Again, are you planning to be there?
I will be. I just ordered a case of the brand-new sharing book Hero of Hacksaw Ridge, an abridged version of the larger, hard-back Redemption at Hacksaw Ridge written by Booton Herndon. These books tell the incredible story of Private Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. Armed with 100 of these sharing books I will be finding a local theater and strategically position myself to hand out as many as possible to the movie-goers.
The Opportunity
“They just saw the movie, why would they read the book?” Well, as one who wasted more brain cells than I care to admit watching movies in my past, I know, and most movie-goers know, that the book always adds more than the movie can give. I’m convinced that the book will be treasured as a memento by many of those who watch this film. And most importantly, as they leave the theater, their minds fresh with a story of faith and redemption, they will be asking questions about their own faith. Will you “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16) as we are commanded? Will you go now, while the opportunity is there? Will you be ready to give an answer to those who want the same hope that Brother Doss had (1 Peter 3:15)?
This is why I’m excited: Pastor Doug Batchelor and Amazing Facts teamed up with Remnant Publications to produce this book just in time. The sharing book not only tells the gripping story of Desmond Doss, but the added section, “The Faith that Shaped the Man,” written by Pastor Doug is over 30 pages long. It describes, in a compelling way, Doss’s beliefs as an Adventist. It covers most of the Adventist fundamental beliefs in a non-threatening and convincing way. You can get a preview of that section here. You were wondering how to help the ‘Ridge Watchers learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church, well, now you know.
What’s more is the cover of the book matches exactly with the film’s posters and web advertising. The miracle behind how this happened is another story to be told. I believe this similarity will add a great degree of credibility to the book and will make it so much easier to give away or sell (for the Literature Evangelists among us).
You can order 100 of them for just $150, plus shipping. The more you buy the more you save, even getting the book (normally $10.99) down to $.89 apiece. Every Personal Ministries department can easily afford that or even much more. Take up an offering if you must. Call you pastor right now. Call your PM leader. Call your AY leader or Sabbath School teacher. Call Remnant Publications or Amazing Facts. Or just click on this link or call (800) 426-3954 to order now (full disclosure: purchasing through this link will give me a small commission). However you get them, just get these books in your hands as soon as possible!
Please keep in mind that due to a licensing agreement, October 28 is the earliest they can ship, but rest assured they will do everything possible expedite the delivery. However, if you don’t get them before opening weekend (in most places), you will still have plenty of opportunities to share them for months to come. Also, consider a Veterans' Day event on November 11 to capitalize on this opportunity. Think of all the people who will be in heaven because your efforts.
So, are you going to the theater? I hope if you go, it is not to watch an “R” Rated movie or to spend money on the Holy Sabbath. I hope you go only to spread the Everlasting Gospel of the Three Angels’ Messages. It’s time to think less of entertainment and more about eternal life, for us and our communities. Think about the time we are in. As people wonder how they will cope in a post-election world, wouldn’t it be wonderful if they had in their hands a book offering the same hope and truth you are privileged to have? This is your opportunity. What are you (yes, you!) doing to take advantage of this opportunity for God’s kingdom?
The Imperative
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things…” (2 Timothy 4:2-5).
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them…. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:11, 16).
The Practicals
My plan is get a business card from the local church with its schedule and phone number and stuff each book with one. Then Friday night, about the time the movie is over (it is supposed to be about 2 hours long), I will begin handing them out to as many as want them. With a smile on my face I will say something like, “Check out the untold story of Desmond Doss…” or “Here’s a free book about the man behind the movie”. I hope to strike up some conversations and invite them to church on Sabbath (Pastors: that’s your cue to have a sermon ready to meet this opportunity). Pray that God’s Spirit will lead you to get the right amount of books, to go to the right places, and give them to the right people.
You might consider calling ahead to the theater to ask permission to hand out the book there. (But if not, the cover of the book should grant you easy forgiveness). If you do run into trouble, remember to represent Christ always and to try to find out how to get permission in the future. You may have to move out into the parking lot. But don’t be too timid. Read the book of Acts before you go for some encouragement. The truth is, God will open the Red Sea for His people if we would only move out in faith. Faith. Jesus asked, “when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth” (Luke 18:8)? Will He? Will He find it in us as we overcome all obstacles and do as He commands? I pray so.
So, this is your mission. You can call it Operation Theater. Now go.
Wyatt Allen is a full-time traveling evangelist/associate speaker with Amazing Facts. He lives and travels in the “Bible Bus” with his wife, Jenni, two-year-old daughter, Purity, and soon to be born Baby Allen. His miracle-life story is documented in his book The Least of the Least. You can find out more about their work at EndTimeHope.org.
[Editor's Note. Fulcrum7 does not endorse Hollywood, or its penchant for bad language, inappropriate values and immorality, should there be any in this movie. We enthusiastically endorse the true story of Private Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist drafted into the United States Army in 1942. Without endorsing movie theaters, we hope that the movie accurately represents the biblical Christian values of Desmond T. Doss, and provides many opportunities to share Bible truth with those who are open to it.]