Mel Gibson’s controversial movie The Passion of the Christ opens February 25th in Wichita. Many Christians say they hope this movie will help them spread their faith.

The Passion of the Christ follows the last twelve hours of Jesus' life and is based the New Testament of the Bible. In Gibson's effort to match authenticity, the whole film is spoken in the Aramaic language. As producer and director, Gibson says he's spent the last thirteen years planning this movie.

On Saturday, Westlink Christian Church patrons were able to watch a prescreening of the film. In an interview before the screening, Gibson warned the movie is very hard to watch, not only because it's graphically disturbing, but also emotionally wrenching.

Westlink Christian Church member Lavonne Douty says, “Truth is truth, and if that's what happened then we need to be aware.”

Critics of The Passion of the Christ call the movie anti-Semitic. A Los Angeles Jewish human rights organization has received dozens of hate calls and letters based on the news reports from the film. Gibson denies allegations of anti-Semitism.

After the movie opens several Wichita churches, including Westlink Christian Church, will set up tents and offer counseling for people who want to talk about what they saw. Those who have seen the movie say some people may need answers to questions the movie forces them to ask about their spirituality.