If you're like me, you may have a love/hate relationship with faith-based or Christian films due to "preachiness" or low production values. In the last two decades, we've seen a new generation of Christian film makers strive to break those stereotypes and it's wonderful to see those succeed. Check out my review of the Erwin Brothers' Kingdom Story Company's latest film, Jesus Revolution below and find out how you can win a $10 Amazon giftcard (USA only)! 

Title: Jesus Revolution 

Starring: Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Anna Grace Barlow, and Kelsey Grammer.
Release: Now available digitally and on bluRay/DVD on April 25, 2023

About the Movie: 

"In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME Magazine dubbed a JESUS REVOLUTION."

The Artist Librarian Review: 
Directed by Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle, I had high expectations for Jesus Revolution since Erwin has directed other faith-based biopics I've enjoyed (the latest being American Underdog, about NFL quarterback Kurt Warner). Inspired by the 2018 book of the same name by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn, Jesus Revolution is a reminder of how the Gospel is for everyone and how Christ can work through us no matter what our background. Everything was on point in this historical: the soundtrack, the costumes, the acting ... it made me curious to dig deeper and learn more from Laurie's book and other resources. I attended a Calvary Chapel church growing up so I've always heard bits about their origins, so it was neat to see onscreen. I'm also a big fan of the 1960s-1970s so it was a "must watch" film for me. 

Content wise, families with young children should be aware that the film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for “strong drug content involving teens and some thematic elements” --you can find detailed content reviews at Plugged In or Common Sense Media. I would say it's on the lower end of PG-13 and though it covers what you'd expect from the "hippie" era, it's not gratuitous or overly graphic, just enough to set the scene of the 1970s. Overall, it was one of the best, if not the best "historical era" Christian/faith-based films I've seen in recent years and I look forward to purchasing a copy of the bluRay to explore any extras and bonus features about the making of the film!

[Disclosure: I received temporary digital access to this film from Kingdom Story Company for review purposes, but opinions are 100% my own.]

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Why did you want to check out Jesus Revolution? 

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(c.) 2014 Tyndale House Publishing

 Many Christians feel daunted by the prospect of sharing their faith with others.  When it's with someone who's belief system may be unfamiliar to you, even more so.  In a post-9/11 America, there is so much (often conflicting) opinions and information regarding Islamic religion, that it can be overwhelming.   Journey to Jesus: Building Christ-Centered Friendships with Muslims is meant to be a starting place for Christians interested in ministering to or sharing with those who adhere to the Muslim faith.

This DVD Curriculum is produced by the Muslim Ministries Program and the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College.  I liked how the focus of the curriculum and movies are on relationships and building personal friendships before trying to witness.  I think Christians can often put so much pressure on themselves, that we have to say all the right things and often end up not saying anything at all because of that fear.  Putting the emphasis on building relationships and letting God work through your life (and that HE is the one who saves, not us) can take some of that stress away.  The mini-dramas are cinematically well made (you can check out the trailer at the end of this review) and are kind of samples of hypothetical situations and questions you might encounter --these videos are also used in the study to encourage thought and discussion.

You'll need a computer and a PDF viewer to access the following materials:

Leader's Guide Session Plan for each session.  Meant for the facilitator, each session plan lists the purpose statement (the main goal of the session), preparation suggestions, a preview of the slide show study, and a break down of a sample hour long session: introduction, slideshow/video and discussion.

Each session also contains participant handouts, which are kind of like a paper copy of the slides. The questions to discuss after viewing the session's mini-drama are also included.

There are also supplemental handouts for each session:
Session 1 - Approach to World Religions

Extra Material: Timeline of Significant Events in Islamic History

Session 2 - Sharing Your Life in Christ with Muslims
Extra Material: "Can Christan Serve Halal Meat to Muslim Guests?" Rev. Mike Urton

Session 3 - Understanding Muslims
Extra Material:

• An Introduction to the Qur'an
• Manuscript Evidence for the Bible

Session 4 - Islamic Diversity
Extra material: "Sharing with Different Types of Muslims" Roy Oksnevad

Session 5 - Encountering Musilm Objections
Extra material:

• Encountering Musilm Objections - Prophets
• Additional Responses - Bryan and Abdul

Session 6 - Sharing Using Apologetics
Extra material:

• "Does Goodness Live in You?" Roy Oksnevad
• Understanding the Trinity: The Community of the Triune God
• Muslim Apologetics Resources

Overall, this DVD curriculum is a good basic overview of the Islamic faith, different sects of Islam, and approaches to apologetics, with a large emphasis of God's love and showing Christ through your words and actions.

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this DVD curriculum from Tyndale House Publishers. No compensation was received and the opinions expressed are my own.]

The sheep is about 3"-4" and fits in my hand pretty well ...

Duck and Hide! (c.) Dreamworks Animation

(c.) 2013 Walt Disney Animation Studios

“…the directors, songwriters, producer and artists and chief creative officer John Lasseter — the team who dreamed of making a cherished Hans Christian Andersen story into a big screen animated musical.”