The Journey Movie- For Such a Time as This by Bryan Craig

Last week, I was in Nashville, with Kevin Ernst, the Development Producer on our movie project, as we attended the NRB Conference.  NRB stands for National Religious Broadcasters.  The organization has been around for 80 years, going back to the 40’s when preachers first desired to use television as a message medium.  In the early days they dealt with censorship and even division in the body of Christ as mainline denominations did not agree with some of the messaging from other evangelists.  In many ways, NRB has become a political group, trying to keep the Gospel in the public square, despite all forms of persecution and opposition through the decades. 

Here we are in 2024, and now, Christian media, like all other media, takes on many different forms, not just Television, but Podcasts, Blogs, Smartphone Apps, Streaming shows and one of the more recent forms, Christian movies.  Christian-themed movies go all the way back to the 40’s, as you may know of movies like “Ben Hur” and of course, Charlton Heston as Moses in “The Ten Commandments.” But it wasn’t until Mel Gibson’s epic film, “The Passion of the Christ” in 2004 that Hollywood began to see that there was a viable market for Christian films.  Over time, nearly every studio developed a “Faith-based” division, looking for material for this sleeping giant called the “Christian audience.”

I talked with an executive at one of the faith-based film companies who described a time in his life working for major studios like Warner Brothers on some of the biggest Hollywood projects, and yet, he felt God calling him to work in the Faith-based film industry.  He took a step of faith, only to realize this industry didn’t yet exist.  Talk about an example of Faith, believing in something that is unseen.  This man followed his faith through many ups and downs and uncertainty, and now, God is using him at one of the most influential Christian production companies.

And I’m sure you know about the Kendrick brothers, two trailblazing Christians who wanted to make Christian movies.  They started on a shoestring budget with the support and prayers of their church, Sherwood Baptist in Georgia.  Their small-budget movie, “Facing the Giants” was a breakout success and launched a string of Christian-themed movies (i.e. Fireproof, Courageous, War Room) that continue to impact the culture and surprise Hollywood.  It should be noted that their latest project, “The Forge,” which will come out this fall, is themed around discipleship.

So, what in the world is Influencers Global Ministries doing in this conversation?

Well, in the midst of this surreal Christian media environment at the NRB conference, there was quite a bit of discussion about the current state of affairs in this world.  A few things I made note of from some of the panel discussions I witnessed.

• People have not fully returned to church since COVID.
• Many people are confused by social issues like Critical Race Theory and the Transgender movement, and many don’t feel like they are finding answers to help them with their families and friends.
• The mass of our society are turning to “media”, their phones, Ipads, computers for answers to everything and spending hours binge-watching shows and movies.
• Depression and Suicide are at an all-time high.

And here comes Influencers, this small, under-the-radar discipleship ministry, with an inspiring movie about a troubled man on a journey to find answers, a man who will be given a vision of the spiritual realm behind this dark world and see the pathway to hope.  We will introduce audiences to this man named Gabe, a man who will help them see what Christianity and Abiding in Christ really looks like.  Yes, we are bringing the Gospel into the public square like many before us, but we will meet them in the movie theaters, and then, invite them into a Journey group.  We will invite them to find an intimate, abiding relationship with Christ that will change their life forever.

As much as part of me felt out of place at this big Christian media conference, I believe we have been called to make this movie and reach this world FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.  We walk this path faithfully, prayerfully, humbly, trusting God every step of the way. 

Please pray for us, please join us, please help us.  We are all part of this!