DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (BP)–First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., will host a “Fireproof My Marriage” seminar March 27-28, featuring the director and producer of the hit movie “Fireproof” and author Gary Smalley.
It’s the first time the seminar has been held outside of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Sherwood made the hit film.
Appearing at the Friday-Saturday conference will be Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the film’s director and producer, respectively, who serve on the staff of Sherwood Baptist Church, as well as Sherwood senior pastor Michael Catt. Author Ted Cunningham also will speak.
More than 3,000 people are expected to participate in the event, said Gary Nichols, associate director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s leadership and life development department. The event will be open to the public; tickets are required.
“A marriage ministry phenomenon is sweeping the country, thanks in part to the Fireproof movie,” Nichols told the Florida Baptist Witness. “LifeWay Christian Resources, which publishes ‘The Love Dare’ curriculum featured in the film, can’t print the materials fast enough. The movie is being shown in churches; everywhere I go I see posters.”
Fireproof, which grossed $33 million at the box office and is now on DVD, tells the story of a firefighter whose marriage is headed for divorce. His father urges him to hold off on the divorce for 40 days and to read a journal dubbed the “Love Dare.”
Both the movie and the book have enjoyed impressive sales. Fireproof opened at No. 2 in DVD sales nationwide according to VideoBusines.com, and The Love Dare is No. 1 on The New York Times’ latest paperback advice chart.
The seminar cost is $89 per couple for those registering before March 16, and $99/couple for those registering after. For information call 386-253-5691 or e-mail Fireproof@firstbaptist. To register, go online to www.firstbaptist.org.
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Compiled by Michael Foust, an assistant editor of Baptist Press. A version of this story first appeared in the Florida Baptist Witness, online at FloridaBaptistWitness.com.
