How the Church Behind ‘Courageous’ Is Making Hollywood Blockbusters & Impacting a Generation
- Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:22am by
Billy Hallowell
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“Courageous,” the new, Christian-themed movie that was created and produced by Sherwood Pictures, the media division of Sherwood Baptist Church, continues to make headlines across America. Certainly, it is the film, itself, that has audiences and critics intrigued. But, there’s also something grander and more complex that is driving the discourse.
Contrasting greatly from other Hollywood successes, Sherwood’s story is an astounding tale that defies the odds, while showcasing the ability of positive and uplifting messages to resonate with the masses. Rather than praising drugs, sex and violence, Sherwood pictures uses films like “Courageous” to help individuals and families reconnect with one another — and with God.
The Blaze sat down with Stephen Kendrick who has co-written and produced the church’s highly-successful films, to learn more about how a Baptist church from Georgia has distinguished itself as the epicenter of spiritually-themed big screen successes.
Every week, countless movies make their way into theaters, as they entertain and inspire millions of audience members. But there’s something special about “Courageous” — something uniquely organic. See, most Hollywood successes are driven my major studios and professionals who have countless years of experience in the industry. For Sherwood, which is based in Albany, Georgia, the situation is much different.
Pastor Stephen Kendrick of Sherwood Baptist Church
Kendrick, who is the Senior Associate Pastor at the church, provided me with a brief history that explains how he and his brother, Alex (Alex stars in “Courageous”; he also co-wrote and directed the film), found their way from the pulpit to the big screen.
As children, both Stephen and Alex had a penchant for making home videos. Their passion for telling stories through film started early on.
“When we were in elementary school, Alex asked for 8mm movie projector,” he said. “He would setup chairs in our garage and invite friends to come over and watch his home movies. It’s always been a love and a passion.”
And according to Stephen, their hobby of capturing almost everything on film even extended into the classroom. ”In high school we would be assigned papers and we would submit videos instead,” he said through laughter.
Alex’s dream was to make films as an adult. But as the years went on, Stephen says the two men were led toward a very different career path — Christian ministry.
“Both of us were called to ministry. We really fell in love with God by developing our own faith,” he explains. As their years in ministry progressed, though, the path towards realizing their childhood dreams became clearer. Eventually, they both ended up working at Sherwood Baptist Church, which set the stage for their theatrical success.
Alex, who was brought on as the media director, was the first to arrive on staff at Sherwood. ”When he was hired, he told the church that one day [the church] was going to make Christian movies,” Stephen explained. At the time, church officials didn’t really know what this meant.
After all, making serious movies isn’t something houses of worship are known for. But according to Stephen, it didn’t take the church very long to realize that it needed to work its way into popular media if it wanted to make an impact. He explains:
“In 2002, a national poll came out and it said that the church was no longer in the top 10 influences of American culture. So we realized, if people are letting media influence them, why not take the best messages in the world and incorporate that into a movie?”
So, in 2002, Stephen says that the church rallied $20,000 and started working on “Flywheel, the first of the four films that have been produced by Sherwood Pictures. Considering the fact that this was the church’s first attempt at movie-making, the production for “Flywheel” was, understandably, a bit disorganized. “Everyone was a volunteer church actor,” Stephen explains.
Armed with a vision, childhood dreams, an extremely small budget and a troop of Christians willing to give their time to the cause, Alex and Stephen wrote the script and began production. When the film was completed, a local theater agreed to show it on one screen. Of course, the church was elated.
“We were so disorganized that we finished the movie the morning that it was supposed to be shown at the local theater. We were sitting in a theater thinking, ‘Is this about to be a big, cheesy embarrassment?,’” he explained. But it was quite the opposite.
“People weeped as they watched and gave a standing ovation. We were so exhausted — we were thinking, ‘Do people really like this?’” Apparently, they did. Below, watch the trailer for “Flywheel.”
“Flywheel” did so well (it was the second most popular film during its debut weekend) that the theater asked if it could continue showing the film for a week. In the end, the movie was kept on screen for six weeks — an accomplishment that was mesmerizing considering that it was a local, low-budget production.
According to Stephen, “["Flywheel"] beat 12 Hollywood movies that came, died and left. It got funny. Every week we’d get a call from the theater asking for more time.”
In the end, the church decided to put the film on DVD. To date, Sherwood has sold more than 500,000 copies of “Flywheel.” Even Walmart and Blockbuster got in on the action, as the former sold the film and the latter offered it up for rental. This was the beginning of major movie success for the Kendrick brothers. In sum, Sherwood has produced four films, with each doing astoundingly well.
Following “Flywheel’s” local popularity, the Kendrick brothers’ second film, “Facing the Giants” (about the coach of a high school football team), ended up reaching major national success. Stephen and Alex, hoping to build on their presence in the local theater, wanted to bring the second film into three theaters. But fate had very different plans for the brothers.
“We were submitting the movie to get copyright permission on a Third Day song,” Stephen explains. Then, the unexpected happened. The music label they were working with to obtain usage permissions approached the church, explained that the company had just been purchased by Sony and offered to distribute the film to 441 theaters across America. “We didn’t even know they did distribution,” he said.
Thus, the path to success was set for the second film, going above and beyond the church’s humble, three-theater goal. In 2006, “Facing the Giants” was released with great fanfare. Watch the trailer, below:
“Facing the Giants” had a $100,000 budget and the film subsequently brought in an astounding $10 million. The team’s third film, “Fireproof,” which focused upon repairing broken marriages, had a larger budget — $500,000.
In the end, “Fireproof” brought in $33 million, opening as the fourth most popular film during its debut weekend. Now, “Fireproof” is on DVD in 75 countries — a monumental accomplishment, as the film continues to impact families both in America and abroad. Watch the trailer for “Fireproof”:
Stephen summarizes these success as follows: “That had to have been God because we know we don’t have the skills, the ability, the training to do this…”
Now, “Courageous,” the latest flick to come from the Kendrick team, opened in fifth place (by some accounts fourth place), nationally, making it difficult to ignore the astounding ability Sherwood Pictures has to connect with the American public on the big screen.
Despite this success, though, Stephen says that the church‘s goal isn’t to rival Tinseltown. He explains, ”We’re not trying to compete with Hollywood. We’re just trying to do something to reach out into our community.”
When it comes to Hollywood‘s reaction to the church’s succes, he says he hears “mixed things.” While some cheer Sherwood on, others are against the church’s projects. Sometimes, “they’re against non-Hollywood people [making movies].” For Hollywood, he says, the canvas is the screen, but for Sherwood “the canvas is families.”
Stephen credits the box office achievements he, his brother and their church community have had to strong and relevant story lines. While the films do, indeed, tackle tough issues and subject matters that are pertinent to contemporary society, the Kendrick brothers’ process for making their films may also play well into their successes. He explains:
“After a film is done, we go back and pray. We ask the Lord, ‘What do you want the next movie to be about?’ We spend six months to a year praying and asking that question.
What’s happened consistently is that we always have a ton of movie ideas. But [when we pray, a specific] idea kind of gets dropped on us and it lines right up with scripture and where people are in need.”
So, while Stephen and Alex always have a multitude of ideas for movies they’d like to make, the filmmakers rely heavily on prayer as a tool to guide them toward the one subject that they believe God wants them to tackle. When asked about why the two chose fatherhood as the subject of their latest film, “Courageous,“ Stephen says that he has both a logical answer and a ”faith” answer.
“Logic is that we are fathers. Alex has six kids and I have four kids and we are passionate about the issue of fatherhood and how important that role is,” he said. “We know how hard it is on those without dads.”
When it comes to the faith answer, Stephen explains that he and his brother prayed incessantly. As they researched the issue of fatherhood, he says the material “just exploded” and it became more than clear that this was the area of focus God wanted the church to turn its attention to. In discussing what he hopes people will take away from “Courageous,” he says:
“I hope that dads will realize how priceless they are to the next generation. This generation doesn’t know what great fatherhood looks like. They don’t see it at home and they don’t see it in television and in movies.
Young men in their 20s and 30s sometimes don’t know what is it to be a man. They don’t have a vision for being a strong husband or father. They’re not getting married. They’re following the example of the guys on ‘Friends’ rather than ‘Father Knows Best.’”
Here’s the “Courageous” trailer:
And, below, watch the film’s opening scene:
Aside from impacting audiences with positive, Christian messaging, the church has been able to turn the profits made from the films into more wide-reaching ministry. According to Stephen, “We started with nothing. We never used church offering plate money for any of our movies.” He explains that people donated to assist in funding these films. He continues:
“We pour the money right back into ministry. We have started multiple churches. We also created an 82-acre sports club for families in the community. We have done homeless work and food shelter work. There’s a whole list of things the church has done with that money.”
Stephen says that his church has been “totally blown away” by the success each film has had. “We‘re celebrating what God’s doing in peoples’ lives through these movies,” he says. Next on the agenda, he says, is rest and prayer, as the church again seeks to figure out which subject it is destined to explore on the big screen.
“We’re in a situation in which is takes us three years to make a movie,” he says. “It’s got to be right. I’m not interested in good ideas. I’m interested in God ideas.”
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Comments (123)
Arcangel Michael
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 3:00pmJesus, I trust in You
http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplethistory.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySdEJx50Z0&feature=related
Report Post »gunnyb1973
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 7:35pmJezu Ufam Tobie
Report Post »barnabaspule
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:18pmVery blessed with the movie Courageous & Fireproof, God is really good..thanks for sharing and blessing my life with those movies. I can relate to both as I live my life a born again christian, I‘ve already mentioned on my last comment to the Kendrick’s brother’s about hoping to be on the next project movie to reach out to the lost…my true life story of a troubled kid with a single mom that never stopped giving up on her troubled son…“prayer was the answer” for her and that comforted her by going to God all the way…then when she passed away, the troubled son turned his life around and went to bible school and moved forward with God…it took for God to take her for her son to see the light, but the fact that she never gave up “praying”…that was her key!…Praise God for praying Mom’s & Dad’s out there, despite the negative vibe’s from everybody…your labor was never in vain Mom..and I Thank God for you constantly…God bless everyone!..hoping to hear from you my Kendrick’s brother soon & God bless the Ministry! Faleu Barnabas Pule of American Samoa
Report Post »Michael
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:49pmHollywood will never be able to make a movie like this. They look at Christians like we are some kind of alien life form. If I do not get a chance to see this in theater then I will be seeing it on DVD.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 3:48pmHollywood can’t make movies anymore. They have no more talent. It’s all a bunch of unions..writer’s guild, director’s guild, actor’s guild..etc. They can only employ the best looking people, and write remakes of old movies and tv shows…And then sequels of them!
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 5:45pmA must see ,i just got back home from seeing the movie and i took all my adult children and their husbands and my husband and 16 yr old son .We laughed and we cried………Forget hollywierd theres a new Boss in town and its God Almighty…………………………………….
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 6:47pmKickin…
You forgot the social-engineering films. Those are “new” scripts.
Look at what disney has been cranking out lately.
Cars was pretty good. Cars 2? Anti-Oil, Global-warming-sensationalism.
Wall-E? Global warming crap.
Now, they are getting into bed with the big blue Anti-military, Anti-American, aliens! Building a complete “land” for them in Florida!
Walt would be turning over in his grave, if his head weren’t frozen and stored in the POTC ride.
(That’s a joke)
Walt would have been all for new technology, but, he ALWAYS stood for WHOLESOME movies that CELEBRATED ALL THAT IS GOOD, and that made a CLEAR distinction between GOOD and EVIL.
Now, its all about the money.
Roy saw this coming and fought the appointment of Eisner because of it.
Disney is gone.
RIP
Report Post »Fred Zimmerman
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 10:24pmGreat Movie! I knew he would have to go back to the Bank parking lot!!!
Dad‘s Take your daughter out on her first date But don’t make it your last with her! I had my dad every weekend all to myself because my mom worked Fri and Sat evenings. I got to talk to Him!!! He and I were very close and there is nothing I would not tell him. I‘m 49 now and he’s gone but boy do I remember those talks!
And as the song say’s I Hope You Dance!
PS my names not really Fred
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 10:30pmTotally awesome! When God is involved, great and mighty things happen. All praise glory and honor belong to Him.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 5:37amThere is no faith in Hollywood. If there is they are afraid to show it. I have to say, this article is giving me hope. I pray that enough people in our country will see this movie to make a change,for the sake of my children and grandchildren. And for America as well. I can’t wait to see it. I have to remind myself not to allow negativity to set in these days, and put my country in God’s hands. I still believe that we can not be blind to our suroundings but We have to have hope.
Report Post »ltb
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 1:47pmThis is a great movie. I saw it the weekend it came out and there weren’t very many people in the theater, then I went to see it again this past Saturday and there were hardly any empty seats.
Report Post »RCMiLWrite
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:21pmThis article is the perfect topic for your next movie. “How the Church Behind ‘Courageous’ Is Making Hollywood Blockbusters & Impacting a Generation.” Why not? Your story is a great one. Tell it! Begin with the young Kendrick brothers making movies in their garage with 8mm cameras, then their call into ministry, making all four movies from ‘Flywheel’ to ‘Courageous’, and finish with the making of this: their own Docu-Drama story. I’ve seen all four of their movies and own the first three DVDs. I think ‘Courageous’ is best they‘ve ever done or that I’ve seen. They only get better each time! Keep up the good work!
Report Post »barnabaspule
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:00pmI’m a happily married man to my beautiful wife and wonderful gorgeous 4 kids, and I have to say that I cried through out the whole “Courageous” movie and it really touched my heart as a person whom grew up “without” a father. My biological father left me and my Mom when I was born, so it was my Mom whom raised me all my life. I Praise God for my lovely Mother for she did the best she could as a single parent, but there was something missing and of course it was a father figure. But it didn’t stop me from doing my best in life as well, when Mom passed away and gone to be with the Lord, I went to Bible school and moved on and got married and I now have my beautiful little family that I do my best as a “watchman” (Ezekiel 33) to guide them in Godly values the best way possible, I‘m not perfect but I always seek God’s guidance daily…It‘s my prayer request to my Kendrick Brother’s in Christ that one day very, very soon God-Willing that I would like to be in on the next project Christian movie that we’re “Praying” for Next. I really have the heart in “Reaching” the lost one’s out there and if anything to bring More Souls to the Kingdom of God, I would love to be there and be part of it. Praise God for what you continue to do for His Glory and touching the Lives of all of our brother‘s and sister’s out there in Salvation and the ones still Lost out there that needs to be brought in. My Godly idea of a true story of a never give-up praying Mom for her trou
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:44pmThe great thing about the movies this group produces is that it doesn’t matter what religion you are, the message is for everyone. Our Catholic group recommended and loved Fireproof, and I’m sure this movie will find the same enthusiasm from our group. I love to see those of faith encouraging and supporting each other – especially when it comes to the film industry which produces so much that it reprehensible.
Report Post »woemcat
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:37pmthese films are wonderful! i can’t wait until Courageous comes to DVD. i have the other 3 on disc. it’s amazing what God can do w/ innate talent, prayer and dreams. what a wonderful mission/ministry this church has and God has blessed it (so has many Christians here and abroad). may their success and ministry grow.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 5:27pmI went to see it with my parent the other day. This is the best one
Report Post »sherwood has done yet. Every man needs to see this movie. Made me even more thankful to have been raised by a Courageous Father .
Hickory
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:27pmIt seems to happen when we think we are down for the count. God speaks to us and we do the right things. Mankind is not destined to be a species that crawls into a corner and digresses into itself. Mankind is a species made in the image of his maker. That is the clue………… we must progress towards our destiny. Every God fearing religion quotes that to us. Unfortunately, some humans find their fulfillment in drugs and other hedonistic practices. But, we will prevail and we will experience greatness.
Report Post »storhond
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:59pmI loved the other three movies and will definitely see this one asap.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:12pmHighly recommend this movie…heads up if you have a tender heart… They hit the nail on the head regarding dads in America. The downfall of America is the family, we need to bring it back, this movie is a good start.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:16pmGood heroes story’s are making a come back, hollywood explored all kinds evil & death:getting old.
Report Post »thespiritwithin
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:14pmI saw the first three movies . They all made me cry. They were very moving movies for me. I see The Lords hand in every one of them . I am looking forward to seeing Courageous when I get the chance. I am a born again Christian . These movies have great value for society because they convey Gods will for us very well .
Report Post »LibertarianForLife
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:04pmamazing how you people not only know that god exists, but that you also know his will! Hopefully someone can teach me this science-trumping method soon.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 2:53pmNothing amazing about it my friend, it‘s called God’s word, the bible. You need only to read it to find out.
Report Post »jstan442
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 4:47pmlibertarianforlife—–if you want your answer-ask–thats alll just ask God to prove Himself to you–He will always answer a heart that is sincere and looking for the truth
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 8:31pmLibertarianforlife,
I suggest you first be honest with yourself about science. You are wrong, known scientific fact actually supports creation and falsifies evolution. You need to start there, find out what science really knows, it might surprise you. You will only see what you want to see, if you want to prove God wrong then you will. Look at it with an open mind and a pure heart and see what you come up with.
Report Post »chigger
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 10:28pmLibforlife: Go see the movie. I dare you.
Report Post »YankeeFrankie
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:48amLibertarian for Life – Might I suggest you check out three books by Lee Strobel, legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, that he wrote? The books are: The Case for a Creator; The Case for Faith; and The Case for Christ. The books have been condensed into DVDs, and give you a glimpse into the scientific approach to proving the existence of God; although, as he explains, he set out to use investigative journalism to disprove it. Watch them and see that God’s Devine Plan is being revealed through scientific fact.
Report Post »gapeach7
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:14pmMy husband and I saw this movie the other night. It was fabulous! We need more movies like this that can send positive, family-centered messages. Loved it!
Report Post »Johnny916
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:57pmWhat’s the difference between this film and the Passion of the Christ? The Passion of the Christ was the only Christian movie I have ever seen.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:16pmBoth are excellent. One is explaining the passion of a savior that died for our sins. This movie is showing how Christians and non-Christians are affecting society by not being the fathers they could be. Bring your tissues. It is very well done, everything about it is professional, the story, the music and the filming. You will be pleased that you spent your entertainment dollars wisely.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:36pmWaiting for the next Joseph McCarthy who will get to the bottom feeders in Hollywood… again.
Report Post »JMorcan
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:54pmPortraing gun-wielding police as Christian role models is blasphemy. Proponents of this project will reap God’s wrath.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:33pmBlasphemy? Have you read John 18:10?
citizen_brain
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 5:46pm@Sparky
Report Post »You take one part of the bible and take it out of context, you can’t use John 18:10 to declare that any use of force is OK. You ignore the fact that in John 18:11 Jesus tells him to put the sword away. You basically ignore Jesus’s teachings as a whole. Jesus spoke out against using evil to resist evil and spoke against the use of force. Police Officers use force/violence to bring vengeance which goes against Jesus teaching of love and forgiveness. Vengeance is gods and gods alone. Police Officers also swear oaths something Jesus also spoke against.
TomFerrari
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 6:53pmHas everyone gone NUTS?
POLICE are not VIOLENT.
Police carry guns for PROTECTION.
Police do not go HUNTING as in hunt/kill the prey.
Policing is an HONORABLE profession that is meant to SERVE and to PROTECT the innocent!
WOW !
Where did you all get the idea being an officer of the law was NOT CHRISTIAN ?!?!
You need some help.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:15pmWe are cautioned not to swear oaths… BUT… Christ is speaking about the priests who were abusing oaths to con people into trusting them – “this ox was driven by a lady who only drove it to temple on the Sabbath, I swear by the temple“ ”I swear by the gold in the temple“ ”I swear by the altar,” etc.
Report Post »matthew 23:16-22
“16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Matthew 5:33-37 Tells us: let our Yea be yea, nay/nay. This tells us, if somebody is swearing by God, or Heaven, etc., they are likely LYING and using God’s name to fool us. Christ is telling us that an oath is only as good as the man who makes it, so, to beware people who tell you something and add, “I swear to God”
TomFerrari
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:17pmThe 3rd Commandment doesn‘t say not to take the Lord’s name… It says not to take the Lord’s name IN VAIN.
Report Post »citizen_brain
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 8:01pmMatthew 5:33-37
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old. ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the lord.’
Report Post »34 “But i say to you, do not swear at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne
35 “nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King
36 “Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 “But let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes,‘ and your ’no,‘ ’no.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
JMorcan
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:24pmThank you, Citizen_Brain. I am also repulsed by churches that say nothing about officers entering for worship while carrying weapons. Sinners should be welcome, but the sin itself should stop at the door.
Report Post »db321
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:32pmI don’t want to take anything away from the Great work the Church is doing. I just ran across some video of a very Courageous women Ann Barnhardt
I warn you – she does not Sugar Coat anything.
Wow! – Ann Barnhardt has more balls than most men I know – she is dead on correct – I warn you – if you can handle the truth don’t watch these You Tube Links.
On Islam:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnnBarnhardt?feature=mhum#p/u/3/aCfbYkXtHuA
The Koran:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnnBarnhardt?feature=mhum#p/u/13/_LCLDjPNpf4
Please pass these links on.
TomFerrari
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:23pm“Raw bacon makes the best koran-ic bookmark”
I LAUGHED SO HARD I SPIT MILK OUT MY NOSE!
LOLOL
Thanks, DB!
She’s GREAT!
Report Post »tomloy
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:28pmThis will have an impact on hollywood. Watch and see. Hollywood is about making money. I‘m surprised we havn’t seen more films after Mel Gibson’s “Passion”.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:30pmBook of Eli was pretty good.
Yes, they will go after the money. Now they see we will consume/buy faith-based movies, there will be more. After all, they like the color of our money.
Report Post »DWillie
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 6:31pmThe numbers have shown for years that family oriented movies do very well and often the ROI is more substantial then the garbage coming from the left coast. I really don‘t expect them to change what they’ve been doing. Two good things about that, movies like “Courageous” and the other three will continue to prosper because they are created with the correct intentions and it keeps the money out of corrupt companies, like so many in the industry. God will continue to bless those who follow His heart.
Report Post »mattwakulik
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:19pmthey should make a movie on the revolutionary war! and for time purposes they should make it a trilogy.!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:40pmI’d go for a SERIES ! At least a mini-series!
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:18pmNow is this the Liberal Christians or the Conservative Christians who made this movie? AND, if I decide to become a believer should I be a left leaning Christian or a right leaning Christian. Chime in here PEOPLE this is a chance to save a soul!!!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:24pmIt is a movie, if hold BASIC Christian principles, not a discourse in theology.
Why would you even attempt to stir the pot like this on this topic? That is just ridiculous. Why not read the Bible, repent, accept Christ, then let the Holy Spirit lead you how He would have you go?
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:10pmPeople can’t save your soul. You need God.
Report Post »phoenixrising
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:53pmSo be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the RIGHT or to the LEFT.~ Deuteronomy 5:32
Report Post »Southern Rebel
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 7:18pmWhat you ought to do is allow the Lord to make you who He designed you to be in the first place. Start by giving him the faith the size of a ‘mustard seed’, a very small seed…just give Him that much and watch Him guide you and make it grow. He’ll lead people into your life and will make Himself known to you.
Report Post »You won‘t have to be a ’christian’ either. I‘m not a ’christian’ but I am a child of the Lord our God and know that only Jesus can be the Way, the Truth and the Life. Once you start washing yourself clean in His word, you‘ll know whether He is conservative or other and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
His will be done
usmc1063
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 6:31amSaving ones soul is not about being liberal or conservative it’s about being you and what you feel in your heart.
Report Post »twotwins
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:13pmSaw “Courageous” yesterday! Fabulous film! Who cares what Hollywood thinks – do they think??? They only seduce people with garbage. Courageous is a fantastic film – an absolute MUST to go see and then buy for your home library -
Report Post »Eskatun
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:12pmCourageous is great movie and Fireproof was awesome, if you‘re on the fence about this movie don’t be, you will not be disappointed.
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:03pmJust goes to show we don’t need most of that trash that hollywood or those so-called “actors” put out. We could get rid of about 95% of them.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
Jenny Lind
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:58amI have railed for years about how Hollywood treats fathers. The treat them as stupid, wives and Kids-even very young ones are smarter. Dad is treated as a buffoon and foolish, old-fashioned and anything but “hip”. It started in the 60′s, no suprise there. They made fathers irrelevant, and I believe the lack of respect it taught led to more divorce, and fractured families. I also believe there was an agenda to do so, by feminists and progressives. I am thrilled to my toes of what is happening with these films, finally someone is fighting back against the not so God-fearing left. I am so happy, I believe the world has been waiting for this, families want to reconnect and be loving and whole. This is truly the Lord’s work.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 12:21pmAmen. I’m praying that things will start turning around and the horrible, destructive “Progressive era” has reached its end (albeit traumatic)…and we’ll also see “revival”, especially among the youth & the lib universities, etc. Many times, the reasons the youth are a mess is b/c of the broken family and they haven’t been taught what God wants them to know. So this would be one avenue they might attend to hear it….many for the first time. God bless them all. Pray on!!
Report Post »GodsDotr
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:06pmJenny, you hit the nail on the head with your comments. Hollywood is working in lock-step with Satan in most cases. They have made the father irrelevant because of the important role he has in the family. If you read the Old Testament, you get a great sense of the father’s role in the family. Remember, God’s truth is eternal and He put the father at the head of the family so he could lead his wilfe and children to salvation.
Report Post »Infidel49
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:56amI didn’t see this movie yet, but if it is about God and family, don’t expect it to win any awards from hollywood.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:59amIt does not matter if it wins an hollywood award or not; what matters is the messages in the films and how they can affect peoples lives for the better.
Report Post »twotwins
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 1:15pmHollywood hasn’t figured it out yet – but we have totally – and I mean totally – stopped even thinking about Hollywood. They are a religion unto themselves and we could care less.
Report Post »Many churches are going into their own productions because Hollywood can’t figure out what it means. I went to see the Tree of Life with Brad Pitt. I could barely stifle my laughter – it was the lamest attempt at what spirituality feels like – I felt as though they were trying to to give me a “sop”. They know the stats and want to make money from people of faith – and it was a sad, little over the top with waterfalls and storms – oh good heaven’s – I can’t stop laughing.
Now Martin Sheen has made a movie trying to “tap into” the spiritual bonanza there is going to be with films like Courageous!!!!!! But since they can’t figure it out – I give them “props” for trying anyway.
Courageous is a wonderful, wonderful, film. I intend to see all their films now. Fireproof was a great film too. The new “film makers” . . . . those who come from a belief system that “heals” instead of pushing garbage on young people . . . . . those films are going to do better and better.
smorningstar
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:48amLooks like a great movie! I will defiantly rent it when it comes out on dvd.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:47amGOD’s continuing blessings on you as you all follow HIS leadership.
Thank you for standing up for CHRIST. AMERICA needs this message/these messages.
Report Post »Star Spangled
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:46amIt’s about time ! We need more movies that teach values .
Report Post »Maybe Bill Whittle should combine his movie company with this one .
mikester8888
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:43amI hope and pray that ths movie makes a difference.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:31amThe only thing HOLLYWOOD NEEDS TO KNOW.. this type of family, feel good movie with a positive message IS IN DEMAND! Listen to your audience. Thanks you SHERWOOD PICTURES for some wonderful films. keep up the good work!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 11:38amInstead they are remaking Footloose, which was a darn good movie, but a pretty thin plot that really defies a remake…
I predict it flops bigtime. Seen it already, will not pay to see it again…Hollywood has lost its creativity and can now only shock or bore…
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