By Mary Stewart | The Selma Times-Journal

Pastor John Grayson of Gospel Tabernacle Church looks to bring families together during a movie night Wednesday, June 28 at the Walton Theater.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie will begin at 7 p.m.

“Akeelah and the Bee” will be the movie shown, and it will be free along a with popcorn for anyone and everyone,” Grayson said.9

The movie is about a young girl who faces great odds to compete in the national spelling bee.

“The theater seats 272 people, and I want the whole house to be full,” said Grayson.

The movie night is a part of a family teaching series the church has been doing the whole month of June.

“The whole purpose of this came from a survey that we did in the city. We met with the chief of police, the district attorney and some other officials trying to figure out how we can change the community and make some of the crime better in our city,” Grayson said. “Most of the young men that we talked to, the problem they have and the reason they end up in trouble was a lack of a father.”

Once Grayson realized the direction he wanted to go in the church began their family teachings series.

“So, we thought let’s change the community by going back and changing our families,” he said. “In fact, you know families are the foundation for all communities all over the world. So, if we want to change our city, then let’s change our families.”

The teaching events have included picnics, family night out, family communion and family prayer.

The church plans to continue their teaching events through July.

The church will be giving out information on Wednesday night to help families rebuild their foundation.

Grayson said that all community members are welcome to come and enjoy a night out with their families.

“We want to have fun when they come out on Wednesday night,” he said. “We want them to enjoy themselves — enjoy good family time.”