Pastors and lay leaders enjoyed a conversation with one of the most beloved Hollywood actors of the last few decades on Tuesday, July 21 during an exclusive screening of the next Christian blockbuster movie, "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" at Sweetwater Baptist Church.

Gavin McLeod, most well known as the Captain of "The Love Boat" TV series, is the lead actor in the movie that will open in the Augusta Regal 20 and Evans Cinemas on Sept. 18. McLeod said he has a house full of awards, but the upcoming film in which he stars as 75 year-old Jonathan Sperry is by far the greatest film he has ever been in.

The story of the film, directed by veteran Christian film producer and director Rich Christiano, is "one that is closest to my heart," said Mr. McLeod as he then stated, "I wish I had been like Jonathan Sperry."

After screening the film, the group that included area pastors of First Baptist Church of Belvedere, Cornerstone Baptist, Breezy Hill Baptist and St. Mark United Methodist among others spoke with Rich Christiano about the film that illustrates mentoring in an especially touching way.

Dr. Paul Noe, pastor of Sweetwater Baptist Church in North Augusta, and Dianne Brady, agent for Five & Two Pictures, the film's distribution company, are leading area churches in support of the film.

Sweetwater Baptist is co-sponsoring the film in Augusta theatres along with the North Augusta Chapter of the National Federation for the Blind. A percentage of the proceeds of the film will go to benefit the disabled blind in the CSRA, who depend heavily on the strength of mentoring relationships.

For further information on the film and resources to help support it, visit the website, www.sperrymovie.com.