Dream In Soul

“Honor Begins at Home,” is the tagline for the new film Courageous from Sherwood Pictures, creators of the movie Fireproof. The movie explores the topics of manhood and a father’s role in the family; I think it’s commendable for this theme to be addressed both in a convicting and honoring light. Are you planning to go see the movie?

Courageous Film Synopsis
Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they’re quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God … and to their children?

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

For more information about the film and for theater listings visit: http://www.courageousthemovie.com

Watch the Trailer for Courageous Below:

I haven’t seen the movie yet myself but thought the first scene was captivating.

Watch the Opening Scene from the movie Courageous Below:

A few months back on Dream in Soul I interviewed Stephanie Rodnez, a young filmmaker who is using her passion for making movies to inspire other young people through her company Christ Effect Entertainment. Stephanie’s latest project is Youth of Christ, a fun feature length film about a lazy youth group’s struggle to host a youth revival at their church. The message of the movie is that no matter what age you are, you’re never too young to do big things for Jesus Christ.

Youth of Christ is now available on DVD on ChristianCinema.com. You can support Stephanie’s dream and help her movie reach others buy purchasing your copy today, click here to order – its a great film for any youth group, family or just to see with your friends.

Christ Effect Entertainment: “See our films, CEE Jesus Christ.” CEE’s mission is to bring quality media content to young adults that inspire their walk for Jesus Christ and help them grow in their commitment to Him. Christ Effect Entertainment is distinguished in that it is entertainment created specifically for young adult Christians.

To connect with Stephanie Rodnez and Christ Effect Entertainment visit the website www.CeeChrist.com or join her “Youth of Christ” Facebook page. You can also read her blog at http://godlywoodgirl.wordpress.com.

Check out some sneak peeks from the movie below:

Click Here for the Dream in Soul Interview with Stephanie Rodnez

Check out the trailer for the film Youth of Christ below:

“I know from my own experiences that if you will put your career in God’s hands and trust him, you can’t account for all the ways he will bless you. When you step out in faith, he will open doors and bring you opportunities that will surpass even your wildest expectations. . . . If I have learned anything, it’s this: to get where you want to go, you first have to become the person God wants you to be.” - DeVon Franklin, Author of Produced by Faith

Hollywood is often thought to be a place where believers may face decisions that cause them to compromise or stray from their beliefs. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures who is also a preacher, has worked in the midst of show business, having produced movies such as The Karate Kid, Pursuit of Happiness and most recently Jumping the Broom. In his book Produced By Faith Franklin talks about the importance of knowing our vocation and calling, and how we can serve God within the field He places us without compromising what we believe in.

Connect with DeVon to find out where he will be speaking on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProducedByFaith or Twitter: @devon_franklin

Below in an interview with The 700 Club DeVon talks about his career and how he wants to inspire others to hold on when following their God-given dreams:

In a Behind the Scenes Clip DeVon Franklin Describes How To Recognized a Self-Given Goal vs. a God-Given Goal and What To Do to Step into God’s Purpose for Us:

More About the Book Produced By Faith From the Publisher:

STRAIGHT FROM HOLLYWOOD comes a dynamic business model for building a thriving career without compromising your faith. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, shares how being bold about his Christian faith while being driven and ambitious has actually helped him to excel in a high-profile, fast-paced, competitive industry.

A few months back Dream in Soul interviewed Stephanie Rodnez, a young filmmaker who is using her passion for making movies to inspire other young people through her company Christ Effect Entertainment. Stephanie’s latest project is Youth of Christ, a fun feature length film about a lazy youth group’s struggle to host a youth revival at their church. The message of the movie is that no matter what age you are, you’re never too young to do big things for Jesus Christ. If you are in the South Florida area you are welcome to attend the screening which is open to the public with free admission, Friday, March 4th at 7:30pm in Fort Lauderdale. See below for more details.

Click Here for the Dream in Soul Interview with Stephanie Rodnez

Check out the trailer for the film Youth of Christ below:

More About Youth of Christ & The Upcoming Release Event

South Florida native Stephanie Rodnez is out to build a strong Christian film industry in South Florida, starting with the premiere of her first feature length film created for theatrical release, “Youth of Christ.” The event is taking place on Friday, March 4th, 7:30pm, at the First Baptist Church of Plantation, where she’s been a member since she was four years old.

Now 24, Rodnez is eager to see filmmakers and South Florida churches closely aligned. “Youth of Christ is a movie that inspires teenagers to get out of their pews and do something big for Jesus Christ, and we’re praying that once churches see this film, we’ll see a boom in young adult led ministries here in South Florida,” says Rodnez.

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The music is blaring, the lights are low and hundreds of young people are on the move, filling their nights – and cups – with crazy, “harmless” fun. It’s a typical night in the life of a college student… right?

Not for everyone. Stephanie Rodnez saw scenes like these when she entered college six years ago and felt a stirring in her heart when witnessing many of her friends falling away from their relationships with God. So many students who had been committed to Him gradually took their hearts back to engage in “college life”- consisting of everything from getting drunk and partying hard to being promiscuous – and anything else movies and TV deem is normal.

Nearing graduation Stephanie felt God telling her to change her career plans and use her talents to glorify Him. Despite initial hesitation she heeded the call, and her independent film company Christ Effect Entertainment was born. The company presents Christian media for young adults that encourages them to stay firm in their faith no matter what the culture and media throws at them. There are two films already in distribution and plans to expand into television, books, and even a nightclub.

Now finishing up her graduate degree in business at Nova South Eastern University in Miami, FL, Stephanie is rallying up other young people with a passion for God to battle the messages and lifestyles bombarding young adults today. With her warm, joyful personality and creative, youthful productions Stephanie draws others in to see the truth of God’s love, and she’s striving to make a mark for “Godlywood” one young audience at a time.

In Take 1 of the interview Stephanie chatted with Dream in Soul about how and why she got started with Christ Effect Entertainment, the growth of the Christian film industry, and about the work she hopes has a powerful effect for Christ in this generation:

Dream in Soul: Hi Stephanie, thanks for speaking with me today. I wanted to first ask you when did you feel the calling to make films?

SR: Ah, well it’s actually really cool. I was 14 or 15 and was in love with journalism, in love, in love, in love… I didn’t want to do anything else. I did this internship at the Sun Sentinel (a local Florida newspaper) for six weeks, and I fell even more in love with it. So I’m like alright Lord, this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life, I’m going to write stories for newspapers.

One day I’m sitting in front of my TV screen at home in the summer, and I was just flipping through the channels and I was like wow, there’s not a lot of stuff here for young adult Christians. I heard the Holy Sprit telling me – that’s what I want you to do.

I was like, I am not doing movies. I already have a job lined up at the Sun Sentinel and I don’t even like making movies that much. I was like no way, Lord if you want me to do this, you have to make me love it. So when I got back to school in the fall I started working on my own film and I fell in love with the whole process. And the rest is history (laughs)! He put me on the path, He taught me what I needed to know, and now, praise God it’s everything I’m passionate about, and I love doing it.

Watch Stephanie in action as she’s planning her upcoming movie “Youth of Christ,” in this webisode from her day-in-the-life of an indie filmmaker series:

DS: So how did it go from making the film to starting your own business? Tell me about Christ Effect Entertainment.

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