ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 3, 2009 — The producer of the widely popular "Narnia" films is joining forces with the author of "The Shack" – a modern day classic and New York Times bestseller with more than seven million copies in print – to celebrate the life and legacy of legendary Christian apologist and beloved author C.S. Lewis.
"The Chronicles of C.S. Lewis Conference," which will be held Aug. 14-15 at Northland, A Church Distributed, Longwood, Fla., will give unique insights into the mind of C.S. Lewis that won't be found anywhere else.
The conference will feature William Paul Young, a longtime C.S. Lewis devotee and author of the runaway bestseller "The Shack." Just as C.S. Lewis' books have helped people to explore tough questions that often keep them from faith in God, Young's book has helped readers worldwide to reconcile their view of God with human suffering.
"I am thrilled to be speaking at this conference," Young says. "The works and amazing life of C.S. Lewis have deeply shaped my life and my thinking."
The host of the conference, Douglas Gresham, stepson of C.S. Lewis, is an accomplished author and co-producer and consultant for the Narnia films, including "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia." He is presently working on the next installment in the film series, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader," due in 2010.
Gresham will talk about how Lewis has influenced his life, both through his writings and as an adopted member of Lewis' family.
Born in New York City, the son of writers William Lindsay Gresham and Joy Davidman, Gresham moved to England with his mother and his brother in 1952 after his parents divorced. Joy had become friends with C.S. Lewis through correspondence, and the friendship blossomed, eventually leading to marriage in 1956.
After Gresham's mother lost her battle with cancer in 1960, Lewis – who had adopted Douglas and his brother in 1956 – continued to raise them. When Lewis died, his estate, including the rights to the popular "Chronicles of Narnia" series, went to his stepsons.
Mike Fernandez, director of the conference, says attendees will leave with a new and deeper appreciation for Lewis' works.
"You can read about C.S. Lewis, but it's another thing to know him personally," he explains. "You'll get to hear from someone who was actually close to the man. Douglas Gresham has insights that nobody else would."
The two-day conference will feature music, drama and personal stories that reflect the work of C.S. Lewis, including a concert by gospel recording artist Sara Groves and a one-man adaptation by Tony Lawton of Lewis' groundbreaking novel "The Great Divorce."
For more information or interviews regarding the conference, contact Mike Fernandez at 407-937-1753 or Email. To register, click on the "Events" tab at http://www.northlandchurch.net. Advanced registration is $38, or $45 the day of the conference. Student and group rates are also available.
# # #