There are two things that have been very true of 2020—people love watching movies and we desperately need inspirational Christian content.

Thankfully, today’s post is about both of these things!

Recently, Melissa Kerley, producer of “Faith Under Fire” and owner of Generation Courage Films, reached out to me to see if I’d be willing to get the word out about this film.

Obviously, this has been a very tough year for movies and movie theaters with quarantine concerns a constant factor. I don’t know about you, but the last time I darkened a theater’s door was before the quarantines began last spring. 😉

However, even if this weren’t a difficult year for moviemakers and moviegoers, this would be one film I’d want to encourage you to see.

After all, if I’m going to watch a movie, I certainly want it to be uplifting and, even better, challenge me to walk more closely with Christ. I hope you feel the same way!

Here’s what Melissa had to say about this inspiring film . . .

What is your (Melissa’s) role in the production of this film? 

I’m the Producer, as well as Executive Producer of Faith Under Fire, a Universal Studios film.

My two roles involve everything from gathering funding, budget planning, to overseeing business meetings, and scriptwriting, etc.

Tell us about Generation Courage. What is your mission? 

The mission of Generation Courage is to be a light in the darkness. It is both a ministry, as well as a film company.

Our goal is to produce a faith-based movie where Christians and non-Christians alike can find pure entertainment along with an inspiring message.

What sets you apart?

Actually, it’s more of a two-mission statement that sets us apart from other secular filmmaking companies. We want to work with both believers and non-believers, bringing them together for a project that reaches and resonates with people.

We also want to communicate the gospel in a way that draws non-believers to consider Christ. At the same time, we want to give believers clean entertainment, while encouraging them to determine what their next steps in their faith walk might be based on the movie’s message.

How does the film help us to take that next step?

My company Generation Courage has designed discussion guides for church groups, as well as devotionals for individuals that go along with the movie. This allows the viewer to really grapple with the themes and issues that the characters in the movie grapple with.

(Find the free Discussion Guide at www.faithunderfirefilm.com)

What’s another thing that has set this film apart from others in the faith-based movie industry? 

Most faith-based movies have men running them. But I really wanted to bring a woman’s perspective to the film so that it could reach viewers at a deeper emotional level.

I believe our film does this—offers a different take. In fact, the feedback we’ve gotten on the film confirms that Faith Under Fire has an emotional pull that feels stronger than other films produced primarily by men.

Why do you think God placed the script for Faith Under Fire in your hands?

There are a lot of people suffering today and might be questioning, Why is God doing this? I wanted to show something on-screen that would dig deeper into trusting God when suffering comes.

I also drew upon my own family’s experience with cancer—an issue the characters in this movie deal with—since my sister died of cancer.

My family’s experience with her death stirred up a lot of questions for us like, Why would God allow your children to die before you do?

I hope that this film will answer some of these questions for others. Perhaps it will also challenge people to consider other important issues regarding God’s timing, grace, and mercy. 

What is the primary theme in this film?

It’s a general look at grief in the life of a believer. You might say, it’s of a modern-day twist on the life of Job.

It poses the question, Why does God put you through the things He does? 

So, is there a takeaway message for this movie? 

Yes! You must live life forward but understand it backward. 

Who do you hope will be touched or inspired by the film?

It should inspire and resonate with everybody at one point or another.

For believers, it will challenge them to dig deeper into their faith, especially for those going through difficult, valley moments of life.

However, when it comes to both believers and non-believers, it will challenge them to ask, Why does God do such things? Why is there heartache in the world? With the suffering and loss of the pandemic, this issue is resonating more than ever with people.

For non-believers, it will challenge them to consider what they believe about God. Is He sovereign? Merciful? And where do they need to go from there? It might move them to become a seeker . . . to seek God.

How do you hope this impacts the person who is really struggling and skeptical about God?

I hope it breaks down barriers. The theology is sound enough in the film that I believe it could.

What is one of the most memorable scenes you filmed? 

The opening scene with the fire was really exciting! I think that’s because we worked with the actual Fire Department of Northville in Detroit, Michigan. So, the majority of firefighters on the scenes were real firefighters. The only ones who weren’t real firefighters were the ones who had lines.

The Northville Fire Department showed us how firefighting happens. They made sure we did this scene safely but also made it very believable because of their expertise in fighting fires.

The entire film was shot in a suburb of Detroit, where I’m from, even though the setting is based in a fictional town.

If you could tell readers one more thing about Faith Under Fire and/or Generation Courage, what would it be?

I’m excited to announce that we have signed once again with Universal to make our next film, “God Speed”—a racing movie. This next movie will be based on the book of Proverbs.

If anyone is interested, we’re currently looking for extras, advertising (logos for the racecars, etc.), and sponsorships. 

[bctt tweet=”Find out what the movie producer of Faith Under Fire says about this inspiring film at MM, as well as how to purchase, view, or stream it! #faith #faithunderfire” username=”BethSteffaniak”]

My thanks to Melissa for talking with me and sharing about this faith-based feature film!

Be sure to click the link, if you’d like to watch the trailer for Faith Under Fire.

If you’d like to purchase the film, you can find it at these retailers: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon.

Want to view the movie? Head to: Amazon Prime, Fandango, Redbox, or Apple TV.

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What is one “trial by fire” that has really strengthened your faith? 

 

What intrigues you the most about this film?