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Writer's pictureRachel Rodriguez

LENS OF FAITH

Ever since I was little, I had a heart for film. I love how it has the power to draw you into a world of imagination and endless possibilities. You can go anywhere and be whoever you want to be. I love how it has the power to evoke so many emotions, some you didn’t know you had. I never saw my Father cry over a film until he watched "E.T." or jump out of fear until watching “Arachnophobia.”


My very first Christian film was in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio. My Grandfather was a pastor of a small community church. He often would hold revivals. Once, he had a film night and introduced “The Cross and the Switchblade” with Erik Estrada. Although the film was before my time, the performance of Erik Estrada with the leading of the Holy Spirit brought me to my knees in repentance. It was from that moment my love for film, particularly Christian film grew.


Growing up, I would write short plays and make my sister perform them with me. I didn’t quite understand why she didn’t have the passion for film like I did. She was so incredibly kind and patient with me and indulged me anyway.


As I matured, I realized that film is a lens by which to see reality and celebrate the Human Condition... maybe initially through glass, darkly where the true essence is just out of focus on the other side. Regardless my love of film only increased and I strongly desired to find my way somehow, some day, into the enchanted world of filmmaking.


Life has a way of sneaking up on you and pulling you away from your dreams if you are not careful. Although I have taken some classes and performed as a teenager and young adult, I did not do my first film until 2019, “John Light.” Not only did I have an opportunity to play a small part, but my son Lukas did as well. However, the most significant part for me was that I was given an incredible opportunity to be the film’s Production Coordinator. I met so many people while doing craft services, scouting locations, working with extras, etc. Many would share with me how a Christian film impacted their life.


Later, I would acquire a job that would allow me to talk with so many people who would share testimony after testimony on how a particular film changed their lives. God began to shift me out of my comfort zone. People would start to pour out things that they were experiencing... death of a loved one, loss of jobs, marriages, cancer, you name it, I heard it. Little did I know God was setting me up to pray for these people, which I did. Some I even cried with. Two factors brought us together, first God, then Christian film. Many would say how they would turn on a particular movie to find hope during a hopeless situation. In 2020, millions across the world were quarantined in their homes. The number one home-bound recreation to increase immeasurably was television viewing. Many were searching for hope in a world full of so much uncertainty.


In today’s advance of technology (both devices and streaming), we have the most fantastic opportunity to reach the lost with the love of Christ worldwide!


When conversing with others, if there were any complaints, the number one complaint was the quality of Christian films. Hollywood has money and can quickly get financial backers. However, when performing my duties as Production Coordinator and scouting for sites, I quickly realized how much things cost and how little Christian filmmakers have in their budgets. Another reason of many why it is so incredible that The Chosen has been one of the largest successful crowdfunding series ever! God opened doors, left and right and all around!


I believe we will begin to see a financial shift in the film industry for Christian filming. The word says, "but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13:22)

The Chosen has already proven that millions want to hear the message of Christ, and some are willing to pay it forward. We just need to get the financial backing for it... this is where you and I come in.


We must support films such as The Chosen, The Shift, The Warehouse, and many more. If we want to see the quality of Christian films improve, we have to be willing to do more. If there is an opportunity to invest… invest. Every penny counts. Think about the impact we would make in the Christian film industry if Christians worldwide supported with just $5? It is a small price to pay to reach the lost. I understand $5 may be a lot to some, then pray... ALWAYS pray... even if you PIF $5000, pray! I truly believe prayer impacted The Chosen in ways we may never even know. God will open doors that would have never been open except through prayer… and the belief & hope that someday the darkened lens of Christian films will fade away and reveal fully the Reality of Christ… As Paul reminds us, "“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)


The core of Against the Tide Media has consistently been to work together and promote Christian filmmakers and their God-given talent of storytelling, after all, we are the hands and feet of Jesus. We are called to spread the good news of Christ to all the world.


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