In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this year, three Lutheran organizations are hosting a St. Louis premiere of the new movie “Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World” at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at the Wehrenberg Des Peres 14 Cine, 12701 Manchester Rd., Des Peres, Mo. The sponsors include Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Mo.

Due to overwhelming early interest, the St. Louis event is sold out.

The premiere kicks off a nationwide opportunity for LCMS congregations to host similar screening events in their communities. Through a special arrangement with the distributor, any church (or related organization) can request a screening at a movie theater in their community on the date of their choosing. The process is simple — and explained at newluthermovie.com/lcms/.

Funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and produced by Boettcher/Trinklein Media, Inc., the Luther movie depicts the epic struggles that occurred during his time. It also conveys the theological significance of the Reformation to Lutherans and the general public.

“The goal of the film is to lead the nation’s conversation about the 500th anniversary of the Reformation,” said co-producer Mike Trinklein. “On one hand, it’s a great adventure story, with chase scenes, kidnappings, political intrigue and life-or-death decisions. At the same time, it’s a story about the most important questions of life, including, ‘Who am I? What is my purpose?’ and ‘How do I get right with God?’ Our goal is to weave both elements together in a way that satisfies Lutherans and piques the curiosity of the secular world.”

The St. Louis premiere will include special giveaways and a question and answer session afterward with LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison and Rev. Dr. Erik H. Herrmann, director of the Center for Reformation Research at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Seminary Provost Rev. Dr. Jeff Kloha and St. Paul’s Pastor Rev. Dr. Glen Thomas also will share a few words.

LCMS leaders and faculty members from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis were closely involved in the production. Herrmann was on set in Europe for all three weeks of production as historical adviser. Herrmann, Harrison, Rev. Dr. Gerhard H. Bode Jr., associate professor of historical theology; Rev. Dr. Paul W. Robinson, professor of historical theology; and Rev. Dr. Robert A. Kolb, emeritus professor, all appear in the film to give context to Luther’s story.

For more information, visit newluthermovie.com/lcms.

About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
The 2.2 million-member Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a mission-oriented, Bible-based, confessional Christian denomination headquartered in St. Louis. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.lcms.org.

About Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.

About St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Mo.
A congregation of the LCMS, the mission of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Des Peres is to strengthen the saved; save the lost. Founded in 1849 in a small log cabin, St. Paul’s is now one of the largest congregations in the St. Louis metro area, with two campuses and a large-scale ministry to the West County community. The church also operates an accredited day school and early childhood center. Learn more at www.stpaulsdesperes.org/.