Many of us have interests where we commit time and energy and routinely engage with like-minded people: a rhythm, a ritual. It’s part of who we are.
It’s almost 12:30pm; you’ve been to the pub, had the same drink you always have, chatted with the lads and made your way to Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way. The colours are on; scarf and woolly hat with matching badges. The chants are going up as you walk along with the boys, perfect! It’s match day, Burnley FC versus Fulham FC.
Now you may not be a Burnley or Fulham fan, or even a footie fan, but the point here is to describe a kind of ‘sacred rhythm’ that week in, week out, whether cold, rain or sunshine, you show up for; rhythms that reflect the things in your life that you commit to, invest in, give to; the stuff that stirs you.
You lay awake at night reading the fixtures, upgrades, signings, transfers, details. You invest time and energy in it, talking about it, watching it, being around it or exploring all the stats with your mates. These sacred rhythms are the stuff that sits deep in our lives, and bring us joy, identity, and shape how we see life.
The concept of a sacred rhythm isn’t foreign to any of us, you don’t have to be ’religious’ to have this stuff working in your life. A rhythm like this is built on something you enjoy and have seen and experienced the benefit from doing.
There was a book a few years ago called Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… and Maybe the World. A simple book that picked up on this sort of vibe, on routine, discipline, and a pattern in your life that gives joy, order, and purpose. I think sacred rhythms touch on this.
Outside the world of sport, cars, films, music, and more, sacred rhythms can take on a spiritual perspective and angle too. The best example I can offer for this is from Jesus, in the Bible. Jesus had a sacred rhythm in his life of prayer, alone and early. The Bible often recorded moments where Jesus stepped away from the crowds and the masses, and got up before his mates in the early hours to go and pray to God, his father.
This simple sacred rhythm on the surface seems so insignificant, but when I have tried it, I can say that this has been one of the most life-changing things for me. What are your sacred rhythms in life? How do they impact you?
International Christian media ministry SAT-7 has announced that hit series The Chosen is set to be broadcast on their platforms, enabling viewers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to watch its powerful portrayal of the life of Jesus.
For the next three years, SAT-7 has secured the rights to broadcast The Chosen’s first three series on their satellite channels, ARABIC, PARS, and TÜRK, as well as on their online streaming platform SAT-7 PLUS. Once the episodes are fully dubbed into Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish, viewers will be able to encounter Jesus through The Chosen on their TVs or personal devices.
SAT-7’s Ministry Content Advisor George Makeen said: “This is a great opportunity to share the gospel with viewers in the MENA: The Chosen presents the Gospel within a rich context: the old Middle Eastern culture that framed the biblical events. As SAT-7 presents this series in the MENA languages, we believe many viewers will be introduced and re-introduced to the Good News in a way that touches their hearts and minds.”
The Chosen is markedly different to other Christ-centred productions, not least because of its strong focus on the lives of Jesus’ inner circle: His twelve disciples and female companions. Jesus’ interactions with those around him are utterly gripping and lead the viewer to encounter His character in a truly unique way. As well as creating a dramatic masterpiece, the show’s creators have been careful to pay attention to important biblical and historical details. The interplay between Jewish culture and the Roman empire is thoughtfully represented throughout the series, and the use of an extraordinary set in Utah – an authentic recreation of the ancient city of Jerusalem – enhances the show’s sense of time and place. “Drama is an attractive genre for viewers all around the world,” Makeen added, “especially in the Middle East and North Africa, where our verbal culture learns more through listening and watching than reading.”
The Chosen, which first took the US by storm and has since spread around the globe, started out with an independently created pilot show in 2017. As excitement for a fully-fledged series grew, over $10 million was raised, making The Chosen one of the biggest crowdfunded projects of all time. Seven years and three series later, the show has amassed 200 million unique viewers and is widely considered one of the most successful Christian media projects ever. Remarkably, The Chosen has managed simultaneously to draw a crowd from across the Christian denominational spectrum and to break into the secular realm, with streaming giants Amazon and Netflix showing the series. It is available in 26 languages and counting. The majority of The Chosen’s viewers are from English-speaking countries, but SAT-7 is part of a push to help the program, and thus the Gospel, reach one billion viewers all over the world.
Bob Fraser caught up with Carl Beech (President) and Nathan Blackaby (CEO) of Christian Vision for Men (CVM) to chat about CVM resources and their annual men’s festival The Gathering.
For some time now church has been a place in which many men have felt uncomfortable, and it’s got nothing to do with the seating. CVM President, Carl Beech, explained: “There are very few men attending church who are between the ages of 18 and 35. There are even less working class men showing up. Church activities are pitched largely at the women and children as they are the ones mainly attending.
“Many churches have no events on offer to enable the men of faith to invite a friend to, confident that it won’t put their friend off. Something needed to change in order for men to engage with the message of the gospel and equip the church in that task.”
In his 2005 ground-breaking book Why Men Hate Going to Church Canadian author David Murrow was amongst the first to point out that many churches have no strategy to connect with men. In fact many churches have very few men showing up at all. The same is true in the UK. He researched statistics and established that, in many churches, there are between two and three times more women attending than men. He suggested that the men who do show up seem, on the whole, passive, bored or uneasy.
CVM CEO Nathan Blackaby said: “We looked at the UK statistics and this revealed that those least likely to be attending church are single, working class men. (Source: Office National Statsitcs/Tearfund 2007 BBC Survey) and only 33% of men felt comfortable in church (Source: YouGov 2014/Sorted Magazine) Clearly, a strategy was needed to reverse this trend.”
Styles of leadership, worship and discipleship are also factors, and for many non-church blokes there are fears of being associated with something that isn’t particularly manly. Church scandals and wrong perceptions abound, all contributing to the notion that if you want to meet up and do something with a few mates, it’s unlikely to be in a church environment. And Carl explained why it’s not just a problem in traditional churches with liturgy and pews. He said: “Even in more contemporary church expressions, some worship songs have lyrics which reflect a romantic view of Jesus, which a lot of men will find hard to align with. There was a time when the hearts of men were stirred by a traditional hymn. Those same men would find some of today’s worship songs difficult to sing with integrity.” Well aware of the challenges with men and church, CVM came up with a strategy for a different way of connecting with men.
The CVM strategy consists of four levels of activity
Level One is about creating activities or opportunities to bring men together where there is no great spiritual context. It’s all about enjoying some fun stuff together, building genuine friendship and trust beyond the walls of the church building.
Level Two is about creating events where there is some kind of spiritual input, like a breakfast or a curry night with a guest speaker, when believing men can invite their friends along. Men will often show up if food is on the agenda, and hearing stories of how life has changed after someone encountered Jesus holds the potential to open up a conversation about life and faith.
Level Three is about developing the conversation by perhaps offering a series of meetings where men can explore in more depth what it means to follow Christ. Men might discuss the values they aspire to and the changes that may need to take place in their life, their priorities or their thinking.
Level Four is about helping churches develop an ongoing and sustainable strategy to connect with men and change the environment in church services. Men will bond more readily when they engage in a shared activity, but as many churches have a shortage of men turning up, the starting point for all this connection may need to happen elsewhere.
Nathan enthused: “CVM has a growing number of men’s groups partnering with them, operating at a local level. Some belong to one church, others a combined effort involving several churches. There are also regional events and we also produce high quality resources for use by individuals or small groups.”
The group which I run in the North West has made use of some of these resources and they’ve been effective in bringing a focus and getting a conversation going. In particular Carl’s book 52 Men of the Bible provides enough material for a year’s worth of discussions if you meet weekly, or four year’s worth if you meet monthly.
In addition to hard copy books, a significant amount of CVM’s resources are now downloadable. The Code is another well used resource with 12 game changing statements written by men for men. Each statement looks at what it’s really like to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
CVM have created an interactive platform: Winning Men is available as a Smartphone app. It includes a four level course, top tips for men’s activities, a church audit tool and loads of helpful ideas. It’s all available free, and the platform thrives on helpful interaction, comments, questions and engagement.
The Gathering
In 2014 Carl Beech founded a men’s festival called The Gathering. This has become an annual event which takes place, now somewhat famously, in a field near Swindon. In 2019 the attendance rose to 2400 men.
The Gathering has live comedy, cool cars, a five-a-side tournament, a bar, live music, walking football, axe throwing, Zorb football, inflatable games etc. Alongside that there is worship, relevant bible teaching, life stories, scalextric, bonfires and loads more.
The Saturday night meeting usually has a theme for the dress code and in 2019 it was the medieval age. That experience will live long in my memory. In 2023 the theme was animals!
Photo: The Gathering2023 Darts Competition with Sorted Magazine’s very own Steve Legg – Steve Legg, Magician and CVM’s John Stockley dressed as a Unicorn!
With advance sales of 2.3 million tickets in the USA, Unsung Hero will debut in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on June 14th 2024. Produced by Kingdom Story Company. Co-Director Joel Smallbone said: “We are thrilled to bring Unsung Hero to audiences in the UK and Ireland. This project is a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on people’s lives. We hope that audiences will be inspired by the characters’ journeys.”
Set against the backdrop of Nashville in the early 1990s, Unsung Hero follows the journey of David Smallbone (pictured above) as he moves his family from Australia to the United States, searching for a brighter future. With their six children and nothing more than suitcases, and their love of music, David (For King & Country’s Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives. David and Helen begin to realise the musical prowess in their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in inspirational music history: five-time Grammy Award®-winning artists For King & Country and Rebecca St. James.
The cast includes Joel Smallbone and Daisy Betts, alongside Jonathan Jackson, Candace Cameron Bure, Kirrilee Berge and Lucas Black. Some US Film Critics say that Unsung Hero delivers captivating performances which will resonate with audiences and invite viewers to reflect on the true meaning of hope and sacrifice. On this side of the pond we’ve got Sorted Magazine’s resident film buff, Andy Godfrey, on the case, so please do stand by for the benefit of his expert insights.
Unsung Hero is released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on the June 14th 2024. Watch the trailer here.
Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate (Fair Usage).
A century ago, Olympic sprinter and Christian missionary Eric Liddell refused to compete in his favoured 100 metre race because it was held on a Sunday. Instead, he competed in the 400 metres … and won. Liddell’s story and the convictions that motivated him formed the foundations for the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
As the Olympics return to Paris this summer and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell’s historic race, All Souls Music are delighted to confirm guest artists for Prom Praise: Chariots of Fire, broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 4 May 2024.
The concert will draw inspiration from Liddell’s tale of integrity, presenting an evening of musical sportsmanship that champions perseverance, character and hope.
Artists include YolanDa Brown OBE, Martin Smith (pictured above), Ellie Limebear and Natasha Da Costa. Livestream host and Channel 5 News anchor Dan Walker (main photo above) will take to the stage with former Strictly Come Dancing partner, Nadiya Bychkova, performing a sensational new dance to Vangelis’ iconic Chariots of Fire main theme.
Graham Daniels, General Director of Christians in Sport and a Director of Cambridge United Football Club, will offer a brief pause for thought and Eltham College Choir and musicians will be performing, honouring the school which formed such a crucial role in Liddell’s early life.
Ellie Limebear (pictured above)
The concert will also feature the World Premiere of a new orchestration of ‘How Great Thou Art’, celebrating the 75th anniversary of this well-known hymn, as well as featuring performances from Searchlight Theatre Company, bringing Liddell’s story to life.
Sponsored by Christians in Sport and supported by Wycliffe Bible Translators and the Stuart Hine Trust, Prom Praise: Chariots of Fire promises to be a whirlwind of musical energy, celebrating an Olympic year and worthy of a giant of sport and faith.
Natasha Da Costa (pictured above)
Famous worldwide for a unique voice in music, the All Souls Orchestra has a longstanding residency at the Royal Albert Hall hosting an annual promenade concert, Prom Praise, which fuses a special partnership of classical and contemporary musicians for an evening of world-class music.
PROGRAMME INCLUDES:
Miklós Rózsa March of the Charioteers from Ben-Hur
Vangelis Chariots of Fire Main Theme
Rom Goodwin The Trap Main Theme
Sibelius Finlandia
FEATURING:
All Souls Orchestra
Prom Praise Massed Choir
Conductor: Michael Andrews
Special guests: Martin Smith, Ellie Limebear, YolanDa Brown OBE, Eltham College Choir and more
Speaker: Graham Daniels
Livestream host: Dan Walker
The live event will be taking place at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP on Saturday 4 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the Royal Albert Hall Box Office.
The Livestream will begin at 7.15pm at allsoulsmusic.org<http://allsoulsmusic.org>
Confession: I’m picky. And for good or ill I only review books which are of personal interest to me. Those which have actually caught my eye and caused me to ask myself: “What’s that all about?”. One of my motives for reading Journalist, Lauren Windle’s latest book, Notes on Feminism – Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men from SPCK Publishing, was to gain a better understanding of this old fashioned word “feminism”. How has it evolved? How is it currently understood? And that burning question, which I’m often asked, and have asked myself, but have thus far hesitated to answer: “Am I a feminist?” Would Windle’s book help me to figure this out?
Notes on Feminism is, in some respects, a fresh evaluation of the current state of play. A sort of stock-take of where we’re up to now, particularly in relation to church matters. It’s a smooth read, moves along at a pleasant pace, is clearly written and thoroughly researched. Windle explores differing view points regarding feminism within the church. Much of the book is a balanced piece of journalism, offering different points of view, at other times it is much more informal, like a conversation you might have on social media. I found myself nodding, laughing and occasionally rolling my eyes in agreement/disagreement/solidarity/outrage. Notes on Feminism is seasoned with shocking facts, mind-opening quotes and searing honesty. At times I really did gasp.
Windle includes a succinct run down on the history of feminism. This served as a very helpful reminder. Just like author Lauren, I’m a female journalist, who’s five foot three inches tall, with a fondness for tea and Eccles cake. But the similarities end there. She’s middle class and I’m working class. She’s a southerner and I’m a northerner. She’s young and I’m not quite so young. I can well remember the days before feminism had achieved all that it currently has. This makes me exceptionally grateful for just how far women’s rights have come. Possibly I’m too grateful, too resigned, too accepting, and maybe just a little bit tired. Windle clearly has plenty of fight left in her! In the flow of her considerable enthusiasm, at times her journalistic impartiality veers off into opinion, beliefs and personal preferences. For example it would seem that she doesn’t want men to dictate what women can and can’t say, only to bleat about the detail of what men can and can’t say.
To the author’s credit she makes the case both for and against feminism. She has gathered and included the voices of women with completely opposing views on feminism. For example a fascinating chapter by Delphine Chui has been included. Journalist, Chui, shares with considerable honesty and openness exactly why she isn’t a feminist. There are notes from writer and model Katie Piper on true beauty, Olympian Abigail Irozuruon women’s bodies, comedian Cassandra Maria on why people think women aren’t funny and author Tiffany Bluhm on why people don’t believe women.
At times the author appears to be working out her own issues in real time on the page. She explores how she herself feels about certain issues such as weddings and marriage. In this respect the first word in the book’s title “notes” is an accurate reflection of its content. Lauren Windle is a curious, chatty and likeable author with a friendly contemporary writing style. Her “likeability” makes for a pleasant, undemanding reading pace. The occasional “meatier” section is open minded, rather than authoritarian. She takes the reader by the hand and essentially asks them: “Have you ever thought about this?” She nails her colours to the mast on several issues. That said her approach is refreshing in that she is clear that these views aren’t fixed forever. That she is open to discussion. She is accepting and respectful of others views and willing to change her mind in the light of new information.
Overall Notes on Feminism is rigorously analytical and strives towards fairness and accuracy. Yes, sometimes there is an angry undertone, and the author openly admits she is angry about some things. For me, this book was at times a challenging read, but also educational. It has helped me to answer some of my own questions about where I stand on feminism and it’s definitely worth persevering to the end. I particularly enjoyed this statement from author Lauren Windle: “And finally, don’t blindly make my opinions, or the opinions of anyone referenced in this book, your opinions. Take each of these topics and pray about them, read Scripture and a range of commentaries, and consult your church leaders. This isn’t a reference book for your new position on contentious topics; it’s the start of the conversation.”
Notes on Feminism – Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men is available from SPCK Publishing
I was talking to a friend about the challenges that we Christians face today when he said: “We are swimming against the current; the world has lost its reason.” The phrase struck me and I’ve been pondering it.
The first phrase, swimming against the current, is a truth that we Christian’s face opposition from our culture that opposes our faith, convictions and values. In Britain the ‘cultural current’ has been flowing strongly against the Christian faith for over a century. There is much in the Bible about how God’s people must resist the force imposed by the world about them. We are to be different: we must always go against the flow, stand firm and ‘march to the beat of a different drum’.
On considering the second thought, the world has lost its reason, I realised that there are now new complexities in swimming against the current. While we might once have imagined that we were engaged in swimming up some slow, steady flowing river, a more realistic image today is that we are in some windswept tidal estuary in which the waters swirl chaotically. Today, the forces pressing upon us are strong in one direction, tomorrow they are going in another direction. The world has changed, and with it the currents we face.
Here I think we need to understand the culture that we face in the West today. What we call Western ‘culture’ did not arise in a vacuum but was formed by the Christian faith over 2,000 years. At its heart was a belief in Jesus and his revelation in the Bible. With this came a morality, a worldview, in which such things as truth, charity, justice, humility and marriage were valued, as was the worth of every individual, however poor or frail. Christianity gave the West values, principles and standards. Life had a rule book.
Around 250 years ago philosophers began undermining the fundamentals of the faith, and soon culture; art, music, literature and, increasingly, beliefs in general, followed them. The values of Christianity are strong and enduring but, as the tree of faith was left to wither, so, inevitably, its fruit failed. Most of those who sought the eradication of Christianity believed that, with its influence removed, the world now liberated from God would enjoy a new freedom. Of course, it proved otherwise. The loss of Christianity at the core of our culture has left a confused, troubled vacuum in which all sorts of ideas and movements, some secular and some spiritual, compete aggressively for influence.
In fact the Western world has indeed ‘lost its reason’ in two senses. It has lost its rationale, its reason for existence; it is now ignorant not only of what’s right and wrong but even of what it stands for. Yet it has also ‘lost its reason’ because it has become an intellectual chaos in which nothing is certain except uncertainty. The mood today is one of confusion and confrontation; whether in politics, social thinking or philosophy there is now no quiet middle ground of consensus but only noisy extremes and bitter disagreement. Are we in favour of consumption or conservation, integration or individualism, liberalisation or legislation, wealth or welfare? The result is that Christians today no longer face a single oncoming hostile army but are instead caught up in a cultural civil war with crossfire coming from every direction. We face not just a current but many currents, ever changing and coming from many different directions.
So how are we Christians to respond to this world in which we find ourselves buffeted by a range of unpredictable and powerful currents? Let me offer you four thoughts.
We must live in reality. We need to think realistically about the world and our faith. With regard to the world, we cannot be naïve. The changes that we see are so deep and wide that outside some remarkable intervention by God in revival (oh, I pray it may be so!), they are not going to be easily and quickly reversed. Instead we must discern which of the many currents affecting us are the most dangerous. After all, it may be that our most serious threat comes not from that current giving the noisy, visible waves but instead from some quieter flow moving at depth. Yet it is not all gloom. As God’s people found in the past, our opposition is divided and battling against itself. We must too balance any awareness of threats with a confident faith in the One in whom we trust; the Lord Jesus Christ. This world, and indeed time itself, is in our heavenly Father’s hands. We can have faith that the Great Shepherd will not desert his sheep, especially when, in the darkness, the wolves are howling.
We must pursue strategy. In these volatile times there’s a lot of fear about, and not just among Christians. Allies today can easily be opponents tomorrow. From a Christian point of view, there’s a lot to be said for that popular phrase, ‘Don’t panic.’ Fear is not only bad but it also fuels unwise decisions. We must respond to the world we face in a way that is both spiritual and strategic. If we must fight, let it be the right battle at the right time. There are some issues where we have no option but to stand our ground: it is the ‘right hill to die on’. Yet there are other issues that we might decide are negotiable or even unimportant.
We must hold on to integrity. Perhaps the real threat of our times is not that Christians become overcome by the world but that, during combat, they become like the world. That sobering comment of our Lord: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NIV) applies not just to individuals, but to the church. To win a battle over the world in a worldly, underhand way, is to be defeated.
Finally, we need to use the opportunity. Here, I speak as an evangelist. Christians under pressure can retreat into sanctified circles that gaze inwards, and close the doors against the outside world. We cannot do this! As Christians, and as churches, we either witness or we decline. But let me encourage you; one feature of our present troubled world is that it is full of discontented people. Across the political and social spectrum, there are many who, often amid tears, have found their dreams for a better world broken. A growing number are, like the prodigal son in the ‘far country’, wondering whether it might not be time to return to the home and the Father that they rejected.
As believers in Christ we now find ourselves struggling against shifting currents, varying winds and changing tides. Yet above all, we must remember that our Lord is the master of the stormiest of waters and we can trust him, in his time, to bring us safe to port. We remember too his words in John 16:33 (NIV): “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Amen!
Three friends, two vicars and a musician have encouraged me to watch the historical drama, The Chosen. What’s the buzz about? Why is The Chosen one of the most-watched shows in the world? Why is it consistently a top-performer across streaming platforms Amazon Prime, Peacock and Netflix and a top-rated broadcast weekly on The CW? Why have episodes drawn 770 million views? How has it grown from a crowdfunded project into one of the most popular series in the world? And why does The Chosen have over twelve million followers across social platforms?
Over the course of its first three seasons, the series garnered praise from critics and fans alike for its historical and biblical accuracy, playful spirit, stirring drama, genuine humour, and disruptive impact. And I understand that ambitious plans are afoot to translate The Chosen into over 600 languages which could potentially make it the most translated series in the world. I needed to find out what everyone was talking about and, after a faltering start, began watching Season One in earnest. A trusted friend had confided that she had found it to be a slow burn to start with, that I should “stick with it”, that the pace would “pick up” and it would be “well worth the wait”.
My friend was correct on all counts. Against everything I’d learned on screenwriting courses, with The Chosen Season One, there was no cutting to the chase. Because The Chosen is an ongoing series, rather than a one-off movie, the writers have had an abundance of screen time to work with. They have used this extra time to develop and build the storyline and unpack the backstories of some of the characters involved. In that respect, and in many other respects, The Chosen is unlike any other dramatization about Jesus’ life I have ever seen.
I confess to experiencing feelings of impatience and frustration just waiting for the story to unfold, waiting for familiar historical events to “kick off”. During this adjustment of sitting patiently and slowing down to the pace of the story I realised that perhaps I was feeling, in a very small way, something of what the Israelites must have felt waiting and waiting and waiting for their promised Messiah to arrive. Waiting was what they knew well. And by the end of Season One’s third episode I began to feel a connection to them which I had never previously experienced. I began to relate to them a little better, to understand a little more of the slower times into which Jesus was born.
After watching a few episodes of Season One I settled comfortably into the familiar rhythm of play. And so, it seemed to me, had the cast. The actors themselves seemed more at home. Easier in their own skins, easier about working together, easier with the dusty ancient world they were inhabiting. I observed my own mild irritation at what seemed like petty squabbles and one-up-man ship along with a growing realisation that these ancient people were probably no different to the rest of us. Sometimes they’d get caught up in the pushing and shoving between families, communities and colleagues which is common to everyone across the panorama of human existence.
Why is The Chosen series off the scale in its creative risk taking? Why has the producer, director and writer, Dallas Jenkins (pictured above) boldly gone where no man has gone before? His vision to create a detailedand lengthy dramatization of the gospel accounts holds the potential to upend the understanding of the millions of people who feel they already know them well. People who hold them dear. Sacred even. Jenkins and his creative team have certainly shaken up something which is familiar, but many viewers seem to find this refreshing!
I may have to accept that while watching The Chosen I’m seeing an imagined Middle Eastern world through the lens of contemporary western culture and mindsets. Nevertheless I believe that the writers and producers have done their homework and have succeeded in creating rich, relatable human story lines which form the framework for each episode. Issues I had never previously considered have presented themselves to me. Unresolved questions have been, at least partially, resolved. Especially in relation to the recording of the gospel accounts. As something of a frantic scribbler myself it’s been interesting and reassuring to witness Matthew (Paras Patel, pictured above) dutifully scribbling away like a court reporter, recording events and statements as they unfold in real time. Watching The Chosen has been like seeing a complex tapestry appear stitch, by surprising stitch, until eventually I was able to make out something familiar.
Season Two shifts up a gear as the narrative gathers momentum and the disciples interact with Jesus more and more. And it has to be said, the acting is simply superb. Some scenes were performed with such intensity they gave me the shivers. The actor, Jonathan Roumie (pictured above; far right) consistently portrays a magnetic and masterful Jesus. Disclosure: As someone who aims to follow Jesus, from his first moment on screen, I felt I sort of knew him before I knew him, and yet wanted to know him all over again. Here was a Jesus I could recognise and relate to. What a joy to see Jesus dancing, running and splashing. To see his kindness towards his Mother Mary (pictured next to Jesus above).
Season Three races along and delivers yet more surprises. I’ve been particularly intrigued by the Roman officer, Gaius, believably played by the seasoned actor Kirk Woller (pictured above left). Gaius, a powerful man, is essentially “the enemy” but Woller somehow injects him with a rare combination of don’t-mess-with-me strength, curiosity and softness. Sorted Magazine’s Andy Godfrey recently interviewed Kirk Woller and, as Digital Editor, I had the privilege of eavesdropping on their zoom conversation. He came across as a sensitive and compassionate man and perhaps these characteristics are somehow shining through on the screen.
Gaius is not recorded by name in any of the gospel accounts. He’s a compilation of characters. Perhaps this is why I find him to be the most unpredictable, the most mysterious and possibly the most conflicted of all the characters on screen. At any moment Gaius might draw his sword or fall on his knees. I’m fearing and cheering him. He is the wild card we never knew about. He’s the outlier watching from the wings. The stakes are high for him, he has much to lose. Gaius actually reminds me of some people I know and I’m eagerly standing by for the release of Season Four, hoping I will discover more of what Gaius is really about.
The Academy Awards are fresh on the minds of filmmakers and film-lovers alike. The ceremony is considered the pinnacle of recognition by those in and outside the film industry. However, a production house in Florida, which includes those who have worked on Oscar-winning films, have their attention fixed on what they consider the most important film they have ever worked on. The team, whose portfolios includeThe Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and The Frog, Big Hero 6, Spies in Disguise and more, is bringing the story of Jesus to life through animation.
Ray Aguerrevere, Producer, Jesus said: “It is an honour to be working on this project. The realisation that this film will eventually be translated into over 2,000 languages and be distributed globally with the help of 1,800 ministry partners makes this by far the most important film I will ever work on. When production for Jesus started, it started humbly. As the excitement and support builds around the film, from a quality and visual standpoint, the parameters for what is possible continue to expand. We’ve had many artists leave their key positions in major studios and ask to join our production team. Some of the crew working on the film have told us that they have been longing to be a part of a film like this.
“Part of the beauty of it all is that ultimately this will be much more than a film. We’re creating digital assets that can stand alone and be redeployed for virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse, and in ways we haven’t even begun to consider today. We’re intentional in the way we build these assets to enable them to be as pliable and moldable for new technologies, and technologies not yet developed.
“With the film, we strive to be forerunners in driving the use of exciting technology. We’re utilizing a real-time pipeline which enables us to eliminate traditional rendering steps and see progress almost immediately. The Jesus film is being re-imagined from live action to animation. What better medium to transcend generations. Animation is timeless!”
The Jesus Film Project®, a Cru® ministry, is releasing a feature-length animated film, Jesus, in partnership with production studio Premise Entertainment. This animated film stands on the shoulders of a 40-year legacy. The Jesus Film Project® released the live-action Jesus film in 1979 which went on to be the most translated film in history. Now comes a re-imagining which is aimed at reaching a new generation with the latest technology. To find out more visit jesus.film.
Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Jesus Film Project.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is leading calls for Britain’s faithful to get involved with the Big Help Out this 7-9th June from an Interfaith Iftar at the Eritrean Muslim Community Association. Last year more than seven million people took part in the Big Help Out, Britain’s biggest volunteering opportunity, and this year it’s even longer, across a long weekend.
The Archbishop will be making the call at volunteer-led preparations for an Iftar hosted by the Eritrean Muslim Community Association (EMCA) on Wandsworth Road, where he will have the opportunity, along with representatives of other faiths including Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-CEO of Progressive Judaism and Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Professor of Sikh Studies, University of Birmingham, to meet volunteers from across the EMCA’s work and hear about the impact that faith-based volunteering has on communities struggling with poverty.
Faith organisations provide the backbone of British volunteering, the Church of England alone accounts for more than 23 million hours a month. In recent years churches have seen a 44% increase in demand for community services thanks to the cost of living crisis with one in four reporting a shortage of volunteers.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said: “I am delighted to endorse the 2024 Big Help Out, a wonderful opportunity for us to get together and make a difference in our communities. Volunteering is not just for some people; it’s something we can all do. When we befriend an elderly neighbour, make a meal for someone who would otherwise be hungry, or pack up nappies and babygrows to help a new parent, we make a meaningful difference and are changed ourselves in the process. There are countless ways, both big and small, that we can give our time and talents, loving our neighbour as Jesus calls us to do. Millions of us embraced this spirit of service through the Big Help Out to mark the King’s Coronation. A year on, I urge everyone to give volunteering a go: paint a wall; meet someone new; tend to a community garden. Whatever you do, I hope and pray that you experience the joy of being part of something bigger than yourself, contributing to your community, and witnessing the transformational impact it can have in the world.”
Adel Negash, General Manager of EMCA said: “Volunteering is giving back and appreciating God’s givings. The concept of religion is to spread goodness and to help others. In reality, volunteering is the most rewarding work ever because your reward is from God Almighty, and you will be rewarded in a way that you don’t understand: in your health, in your safety and your security, in the well-being of your family and the satisfaction that you get when you see another human being has been helped by you and you become part of something good.”
Jewish Volunteering Network via Nicky Goldman, CEO said: “JVN is delighted to support the Big Help Out and encourage those charities in our network in the Jewish community and wider charity sector to participate. There are many ways to volunteer and we hope that people will be inspired to find their own.”
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-CEO of Progressive Judaism said: “Volunteering alongside our friends and neighbours of all faiths and backgrounds is a key Jewish value and needed now more than ever. It not only directly benefits those being supported, but also helps to strengthen relationships and friendships between our faiths. We encourage all our members and communities to take part in the Big Help Out 2024.”
Brendan Cox said: “Faith organisations are the backbone of British volunteering, and the Big Help Out is a unique opportunity to connect the faithful with their wider communities. In recent years we’ve seen faith groups play an invaluable role in supporting families through the cost of living crisis, providing services like food banks, warm spaces, skill sharing and much more. Now, through the Big Help Out there are countless ways to get involved all over the country. So whatever you want to do, whether it’s the church foodbank, supporting care in the community through your local mosque or working with local children at your synagogue, the Big Help Out is your chance to start volunteering. It could be one of the best things you ever do.”
