CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Popular television host and travel writer, Rick Steves hosts the video "Opening the Door to Luther" which will be released March 1. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Department for Communication produced the video as an introduction to Martin Luther, the 16th century German theologian who set out to reform the Catholic Church and wound up launching the Protestant movement.
A recognized authority on European travel, Steves has hosted television programs for Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations and the cable Travel Channel, authored guidebooks, taught travel classes across the United States, written newspaper and magazine columns, appeared on radio and television talk shows, and managed his "Europe Through the Back Door" travel business.
"Opening the Door to Luther" is a special production of MOSAIC, the video magazine of the ELCA. Steves went with the MOSAIC crew on location in Germany -- from Eisleben, where Luther was born, to Wittenberg, the university town where Luther taught and preached. The video follows the events of the Reformation through Worms, Erfurt, Eisenach, Marburg and Augsburg.
"My basic idea was to create an entertaining educational tool for Sunday schools," said Tim Frakes, MOSAIC producer. He said he produced the video for an adult audience with an interest in the Lutheran church but little or no knowledge of Luther's life and influence.
Peter Rummel, videographer for Steves' PBS show "Travels in Europe," was the principal camera operator.
Steves is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood, Wash. "I'm as Lutheran as can be," he said, "but, when we considered this project I was surprised at how little I actually knew about the life of Martin Luther and the events of the Reformation."
"I write travel guidebooks and lead tours all over Europe, and I know very little about eastern Europe, because, for a long time, it's been off the tourist path. Now it's wide open," said Steves.
"We came home with a video that will, in half an hour, really teach a lot -- not only about Martin Luther but about what was going on in Europe 500 years ago, when Copernicus, Columbus, Machiavelli and Michelangelo were all doing earth-changing things. Of course, Martin Luther was part of that same class," he said.
Steves has hosted two other video projects for the ELCA: "Weaving a Global Neighborhood," a 20-minute program on Papua New Guinea for the ELCA Division for Global Mission; and "In the City for Good," a 20- minute program for the ELCA's Vision for Mission about the work of six urban congregations in the Los Angeles area.
Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) funded part of producing "Opening the Door to Luther." AAL is a fraternal benefits society based in Appleton, Wis. -- -- --
Photos, scripts and other information about "Opening the Door to Luther" are available at http://www.elca.org/co/Luther/ on the ELCA Web site.
Rick Steves maintains information about his projects at http://www.ricksteves.com/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
