Grand Rapids, Mich. to Host Exclusive Preview of 'End of the Spear'

Grand Rapids, Mich. to Host Exclusive Preview of 'End of the Spear'

$30-Million Feature Film To Mark 50th Anniversary of Missionary Killings, Recount Epic Story of Reconciliation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Bearing Fruit Communications, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing compelling, true stories to contemporary audiences, today announced that Grand Rapids, Mich. will host an exclusive preview of "End of the Spear," a new, $30-million feature film scheduled for nationwide release in Jan. 2006. The Grand Rapids fundraiser, which will take place on Oct. 13 at Celebration! Cinema, is part of a series of exclusive events that will take place in selected markets, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

The movie's national debut in January will mark the 50th anniversary of one of the most famous chapters in missions history. "End of the Spear" recounts the epic story of how five U.S. missionaries, including Nate Saint, Jim Elliott, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming and Ed McCully, were killed by the Waodani tribe of Ecuador, and the moving process of reconciliation that took place after members of the slain missionaries' families returned to live among the tribe. The disappearance of the missionaries made international news in 1956 and ultimately inspired more than 50 books. As the first motion picture on the story, "End of the Spear" takes a unique approach to the events, exploring them from the Waodani perspective.

The Grand Rapids preview will provide guests an exclusive, advance opportunity to experience what is expected to be a major U.S. film event and, as part of a special reception that will follow the showing of the film, meet key individuals associated with its production. The event will feature appearances by Steve Saint, son of slain missionary Nate Saint, who is the main character in "End of the Spear;" director and longtime Grand Rapids resident Jim Hanon; and actor Louie Leonardo, who portrays Mincaye, the Waodani tribesman who has played a pivotal role in the story for more than five decades. Event sponsors include The Grand Rapids Press; Celebration! Cinema; and Lambert, Edwards & Associates.

Proceeds from the preview will help advance the work of Bearing Fruit Communications in a number of important ways, including offsetting the estimated $400,000 cost of the movie's 2006 run in Michigan theatres; helping to ensure a successful U.S. launch for "End of the Spear;" and funding similar film projects in the future. Fifty percent of the proceeds from End of the Spear's national run will be used to provide aid to the Waodani and other indigenous peoples.

The film's West Michigan ties include director and longtime area resident Jim Hanon, who is also a co-founder of Grand Rapids-based brand and marketing firm Hanon-McKendry. Hanon also directed "Beyond the Gates of Splendor," an award-winning DVD documentary that tells the story behind the feature film. "Beyond the Gates of Splendor" has recently been made available to more than 10,000 churches nationwide and will be available for purchase in stores starting in October.

"In bringing 'End of the Spear' to West Michigan, we are acknowledging the unique, and uniquely influential, nature of this market," said Bill Hane, Bearing Fruit Communications' executive director. "This is an audience that cares deeply about high-quality entertainment and specifically, about supporting projects that aim to make a positive, long-term impact on our culture. We're very eager to share our story with the Grand Rapids audience."

Tickets for the Oct. 13 "End of the Spear" preview fundraiser in Grand Rapids are $250 and available by contacting Lambert, Edwards & Associates via email at preview@lambert-edwards.com or by calling 616-233-0500. More information about the movie, as well as special corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities, is available at http://www.lambert-edwards.com/ .

Source: Bearing Fruit Communications

CONTACT: Patrick Kane of Lambert, Edwards & Associates, +1-616-233-0500, preview@lambert-edwards.com , for Bearing Fruit Communications

Web site: http://www.lambert-edwards.com/

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