Movies On Mission

Can You Widely Impact the World with Just the Purchase of a Movie Ticket?

Sound impossible? Check this out!

Entertainment is America’s second largest export; rather a startling fact in itself. Television, film, music and games are shipped around the globe from America for the world to consume. We’ll be focusing here on movies.

Each year there are 20,000 movies made in the world. Out of those twenty thousand made across the world, 3,500 are created right here in the USA. Of those 3,500 movies, 150 actually make it to the BIG screen for a theatrical release. And each will garner about $5 million. Out of these 150, approximately 31 will bring north of $100 million and capture blockbuster status. These 31 movies bring in 60% of the world’s box office revenue and 40% of all the USA box office revenue in one year. As a result, these 31 films command the attention of the world!

So what film content is the world consuming? Well, it’s a smorgasbord of entertainment that is often unfit-for-consumption. With a buffet of crude humor, violence and graphic images that no one of any age needs to see.

Now, think about this reality. A movie with a message of faith comes long and captures the attention of the church and beyond in America and becomes the #1 movie in the USA. It edges out the movie “Straight Outta Compton” and brings in $68 million in ticket sales. Or the movie is “The Passion of the Christ,“ “I Can Only Imagine,” “October Baby,” “Woodlawn,” “Heaven Is For Real,” “Jesus Revolution” or a host of other faith-based films that have crushed it at the box office?

Keep following my train of thought here please; Because of the success in the USA, other countries are asking for these films to be released in their countries – places where we might have a difficult time setting up a missionary outpost, are now open to a film that carries a message of hope and inspiration. These movies now become an export to the world and delivered to both believing and skeptical audiences in theaters, on streaming platforms and on DVD.

Ponder this for a moment; Movies about prayer, miracles, the resurrection and more, positive themes are now available for the masses to see in a country that may not allow a missionary into their country! But because of the success of the film in the USA, the film arrives in theaters around the world. And people are inspired, hope is restored, minds are changed, and people are saved. I’ve see this happen time and time again from one scene or one sentence spoken in a move. And this simple revolution is speeding up and catching on more broadly and more frequently. And you, personally, can positively affect this ‘Movie Movement.’

I want to challenge you to think differently when you choose what movies to spend your money on at your local theater or recommend to your family, friends, peers, and congregation. Remember this; the next time you buy a ticket to a faith film, you are supporting a film release that will become a global entertainment missionary to countries around the world and will deliver a message of hope in a world that desperately needs more than an offering of graphic violence, crude humor and inappropriate relationships.

So, can you as an influencer, single handedly impact the world with your purchase of a ticket to a movie? Yes you can. YOU BET YOU CAN!

Dave the movie guy - Faithandfamilyfilms.info

Message in Motion

What do Amiee Semple McPherson, Pine Wood Studios London, World Wide Pictures, the Salvation Army, hippies during the ‘Jesus Revolution,’ and the Erwin Brothers have in common? The answer: They have all utilized ‘the-media-of-the-day’ to reach the masses with the Gospel.

Aimee used ‘illustrated-sermons’ when she preached at Angelus Temple Foursquare Church.

In 1915 a missionary group noticed that the silent films of the day were not wholesome. So they countered by launching Pinewood Studios, London, to create family-friendly content.

Billy Graham made the Gospel come alive via World Wide Pictures. The Salvation Army, Australia, used film to present the Gospel.

During the ’60’s and ‘70’s the hippies of the Jesus Revolution used music and gospel tracks to communicate the love of God and the Gospel message.

The Erwin Brothers have produced motion pictures presenting stories of hope worldwide.

Film, especially motion pictures, is the most powerful ‘media-of-our-day’ for telling stories. And telling stories is a powerful way to communicate ‘Truth.’ There is nothing like a motion picture to engage the senses. We see life-like images on the screen. We hear the music, conversations and sound effects. We feel the emotional connection to the characters. It is a magical mixture that can drive the audience either in a positive or negative direction.

I have been in the faith and family film industry for more than a decade and can say unequivocally that film in the ‘faith space’ moves audiences toward hope and the Good News. This Movie Guy has seen a multitude of Pastors embolden their congregations to attend faith-based films and have seen positive and dramatic life responses. I encourage those of you who have not utilized this powerful tool to try this media-of-our-day very soon.

Movies produced by dedicated, Christian filmmakers like the Erwin’s, move audiences from contemplation and reflection to life-changing actions; films like: October Baby, where some expectant mothers walked out of the movie with changed minds, deciding to have their babies rather than seek an abortion. Mom’s Night Out reinforced that ‘the JOY of the Lord is our strength. Woodlawn brought a message of hope and salva9on to high school football teams across the U.S.A. And I Can Only Imagine showed us the hope of Jesus Christ in the middle of tragedy.

Their new film, The Jesus Revolution, will arrive in theaters in February 2023. It’s a true story about the sea of young people who descended on Southern California in the ‘70’s, intent on redefining ‘Truth,’ through Rock and Roll, drugs and newfound love. But by a ‘twist-of-faith,’ the Jesus Revolution became the greatest spiritual awakening in American history and changed the world.

Maybe there are people in your community, Pastor, that desperately need to hear the Gospel. And it just might be presented via the ‘media-of-the-day,’ Faith-Based-Film!

Dave, the Movie Guy- Dave Almgren – FaithandFamilyFilms.info