by Andy Peterson on April 1, 2013
GSN announces the launch of “The American Bible Challenge Bible Study” – a 10-week Bible Study hosted by author and television producer Phil Cooke. THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE, a studio-based game show hosted by author and comedian Jeff Foxworthy in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible, returned for a 2nd season on March 21st on GSN.
“The American Bible Challenge Bible Study” will cover topics such as love, forgiveness, prayer, acceptance, character, anxiety, courage and the Bible itself. Prominent personalities from the worlds of religion, publishing, music and literature will guide viewers through the verses and talk about the meaning they hold in their lives. The curriculum for “The American Bible Challenge Bible Study” was written in conjunction with American Bible Society.
Propeller is re-engaging churches to tune in again for an even better season 2, including connecting GSN to some of the top church leaders and influencers in the country. In addition, Propeller has partnered with Interl’inc to engage over 1000 youth pastors nationwide.
The Bible Study can be found on THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE home page.
by Andy Peterson on March 22, 2013
As the April 19 nationwide release of David Boyd’s (The Walking Dead, Friday Night Lights) feature film HOME RUN (Samuel Goldwyn Films in association with Provident Films) draws near, overwhelming support for the film continues to roll in.
As screenings in more than 50 markets concluded with wide-spread praise this past week, The Dove Foundation, known for awarding its highly-regarded blue-and-white “Family Approved” seal to movies and DVDs, has recently honored HOME RUN with its seal as recommended family entertainment.
With Christian leaders like Max Lucado, Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer already giving the film high marks, key sports figures and stars are also offering their applause for HOME RUN:
“HOME RUN is a powerful movie! It shows that no matter where you are in life, there are still issues going on in your life and that we are all broken people….I have to be honest, it was emotional for me to watch. Realizing that there are broken people all around, regardless of how good you are at your profession. We are those people and that is why Christ came to save us.”
-Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays
“It touches your heart in a way that will change your life. It’s a wonderful movie.”
-Brett Butler, Former MLB All-Star
“The message of HOME RUN is one every baseball player, coach and parent needs to hear. Without Christ in one’s life true peace and contentment can never be found. God can mold us and make us when we allow Him to do so! A great movie with an even greater message.”
-David Daly, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Director of Baseball Ministries
“HOME RUN is a great story of redemption and recovery–a must see for those looking for answers to emotional abuse!! If God is for you, who can be against you!”
-Jim Sundberg, 3 time MLB All-Star
Watching the film for me was stirring because I sat there and realized this is what was all around me during my career and it could have been my story, if I would not have met Christ. HOME RUN is not only a great movie, it’s a story of hope that people have to see.”
-Dwight Evans, 3 time MLB All-Star
With such an enthusiastic reception from across the country, the momentum continues to build for HOME RUN, whose message, based on thousands of true stories, is an inspirational reminder that with God, it’s never too late … freedom is possible.
The Celebrate Recovery® program highlighted in HOME RUN is a forward-looking, real-life addiction recovery program that grew out of Southern California’s Saddleback Church and is now found in churches all over the U.S. and the world. Celebrate Recovery® was founded in 1991 by Pastor John Baker of Saddleback Church with the goal of overcoming life’s issues with a twelve-step program based on Christian principles.
Samuel Goldwyn Films in association with Provident Films have partnered in the marketing and distribution of HOME RUN. Past successes of the Goldwyn and Provident partnership include Fireproof, October Baby and Facing the Giants. A Hero Productions Film in association with Impact Productions, HOME RUN is directed by David Boyd, with a screenplay by Brian Brightly, Melanie Wistar, Eric Newman and Candace Lee. The film is executive produced by Carol Spann Mathews and Tom Newman. HOME RUN stars Scott Elrod, Vivica A. Fox, Dorian Brown and Charles Henry Wyson.
In addition to the theatrical release of the film, Home Run the novel is releasing March 2013 with David C Cook publishers. Travis Thrasher, celebrated novelist, was enlisted to adapt the screenplay into a deeply moving story for fiction readers.
by Andy Peterson on March 11, 2013
The inaugural Justice Film Festival wrapped up in Philadelphia last week. As the premier showcase for justice themed films in the United States, the Justice Film Festival was deemed a success by organizers and participating filmmakers. The film festival took place February 22-24 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in conjunction with the fourth annual Justice Conference. It was sponsored by The Justice Conference and World Vision; and produced by Propeller.
Erin Lytle, director of The Justice Conference, was pleased with the expansion of the event to include film for the first time, “Our goal was to showcase how art and film can shape global culture and we could not be more proud of World Vision and Propeller who partnered with us to bring the film festival to Philly.”
The festival showcased 16 films exploring topics and geographies as diverse as access to water in southern Sudan, HIV/AIDS education in Botswana, human trafficking in Seattle and the rights of lobster fisherman in Nicaragua. Grammy award nominated recording artist and author Michael Gungor served as the festival’s artist-in-residence and kicked off the event with a performance and reading from his new book The Crowd, The Critic, and The Muse.
“This debut event was an incredible journey for our team and all who participated,” stated Andy Peterson, vice-president at Propeller and director of the Justice Film Festival. “We believe the justice stories being told by pioneering filmmakers need a home, and we are proud to have created the premiere destination to experience such artistic talent through the medium of film.”
Awards were announced in three categories on the final day of the event, and Philadelphia’s own 3801 Lancaster took home the prize for Best Short Film. The investigative documentary directed by David Altrogge and produced by Jen Thompson, tells the story of Kermit Gosnell and the Women’s Medical Society, the Philadelphia abortion clinic that made headlines when it was discovered that Gosnell and his untrained staff had killed women and children.
Best Feature Length Film was awarded to Rape For Profit, a documentary directed by Eric Esau and produced by Jason Pamer, that explores the issue of sex trafficking in the city of Seattle. The film shares compelling interviews with all parties involved in the issue of sex trafficking and opens the eyes of viewers through very powerful, real stories, even exposing some roots to this area of injustice.
Finally, the award for Best Justice Film went to Not Today, a feature film that opened the festival on Saturday night with a discussion about the human trafficking between producer Brent Martz and World Vision’s senior policy advisor for child protection Jesse Eaves. Not Today will open in theaters April 12, and was directed by John Van Dyke.
Plans are already being made for the February 2014 edition of the Justice Film Festival which will be held in downtown in Los Angeles. For more information about The Justice Film Festival and any of the participating films visit: www.justicefilmfest.com
