"I think this work can change things," Mr. Gibson said. The film
officially opens in 2,000 movie theaters nationwide on Feb. 25, Ash
Wednesday .

"To atone for the sins of everybody, it boggles the mind," said Mr.
Gibson, who spent close to $25 million from his personal funds to make
the film. "[Christ] could have done it by pricking His finger and
shedding His blood. He didn't choose to do that. He went all the way."

The 47-year-old producer paid tribute to the co-founder of the
conference, Bill Bright, the leader of Campus Crusade, who before his
death in July released remarks praising the film, saying it captures
Christ's agonies "with explosive poignancy."

The movie, Mr. Bright added, "will forever change your view of God
Himself and what He did for us all on that dark day in history as He
endure d an ignominious trial and hung on the cross."

Mr. Gibson, a Roman Catholic, personally has been showing the movie to
various groups to garner support. The showing last night was aimed at
evangelical Protestant pastors in the hope of building anticipation for
the film, which is R-rated and shot in Aramaic and Latin, with English
subtitles.

Speaking for about 15 minutes, he asked the assembly to pray and
promised that the film "will change your heart."

Mr. Gibson said he showed it to one agnostic friend, "and the next day,
he read all four of the Gospels."

The crowd gasped.

"Like he saw the movie, and that made him want to read the book," Mr.
Gibson said.

The showing, which began at 9 p.m., was a big gamble by the direct or of
such celebrated movies as "Braveheart" and "The Man Without a Face." Mr.
Gibson hopes that pastors nationwide will promote "The Passion" so their
congregations will flood theaters during the opening week.

Evangelical and Catholic leaders ranging from National Association of
Evangelicals President Ted Haggard to Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput
have seen and praised the cinematic endeavor. But several Jewish groups
have condemned "The Passion," saying it may provoke anti-Semitism. The
criticism has spurred Mr. Gibson to show the movie only to audiences
that are favorably disposed.

The showing last night, from which reporters were banned, was heavily
guarded. Participants had to sign confidentiality statements to enter,
with an exception for pastors wishing to speak in support of the movie.

Mr. Gibson also showed the film to Pope John Paul II, who, upon viewing
the film last month at the Vatican, is reported to have said, "It is a s
it was."

Although that quote has been disputed by the Catholic News Service, the
apparent papal thumbs up counteracted a far more negative reaction in
April from a nine-member team of Catholic and Jewish scholars appointed
by t he U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The committee said the version of the screenplay they received was full
of "objectionable elements that would promote anti-Semitism" because it
depicts Jews as responsible for Jesus' crucifixion and death.

The USCCB eventually disavowed any connection to the scholars and
apologized for the remarks.

Because of the criticism, all major Hollywood studios decided to p ass
on "The Passion." The film was without a distributor for months until
Newmarket Films agreed to distribute it for Mr. Gibson's company, Icon
Productions.

Church groups nationwide have put in large ticket orders to see the
movie, despite the graphic violence surrounding the crucifixion.

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