The church-based moviemakers who took Hollywood by surprise with Facing the Giants are seeking to enlist Christian retailers as a key part of their campaign to start a marriage restoration movement with their latest project.

Several cast and crew members were at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) yesterday for a special screening and reception for Fireproof, a drama about a firefighter struggling to save his dying marriage, which is due to release in more than 700 theaters across the country Sept. 26.

As the film from Sherwood Pictures and Provident Films is released, it will be supported with the publication of a novelization from Thomas Nelson, study guide materials from LifeWay Christian Resources and The Love Dare, a marriage book written by the film's co-producing brothers Stephen and Alex Kendrick. To be published by B&H Publishing Group, the book takes its name from a part of the movie's story line.

The associated materials provide a great opportunity for Christian retailers-for whom Facing the Giants was the biggest-selling DVD last year-to support the initiative, said Kris Fuhr, who heads up operations at Provident Films. "People are going to walk out of the theater looking for marriage resources," she said. "Where will they find them?" Several retailers in locations where the film was not due to run had contacted the producers to see if they could help support a run in their areas, Fuhr added.

The DVD release of Fireproof is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2009, to coincide with Valentine's Day, with a "legacy" special edition of The Love Dare to release around the same time.

Stephen Kendrick told Christian Retailing that he and his brother hoped that Fireproof would help "lift up the standard of marriage," as a covenant rather than a contract, and a picture of God's unconditional love for people. But "the movement won't happen unless retailers help us. They are our hands and feet."

Terry Hemmings, CEO of Provident Music Group, spoke at the screening about how the DVD had not only sold millions but had also touched people's lives. Provident-Integrity artist John Waller sang a song of his that is featured in Fireproof.