New movie division created to come alongside Christian filmmakers, offering resources to churches

LifeWay Christian Resources (LCR), the parent company of LifeWay Christian Stores, has launched a film division to aid the church in ministry.

“Because churches are on the front lines of life change in their communities, faith-based films provide an ideal and important ministry opportunity for the church,” LifeWay Films officials said. “It is a powerful way to reach people, both believers and nonbelievers, with the greatest story every told—the gospel story of Jesus.”

In May, LifeWay Films released its first project, Experiencing God, based on the best-selling book by Henry Blackaby and Claude King—first published in 1990 by B&H Publishing Group. The book shows Christians how to know and do the will of God. 

The Experiencing God Workbook has sold more than 7 million copies in 45-plus languages, and Experiencing God has been used by almost every Christian denomination, company officials said. The workbook has also spawned dozens of other products, including the recently released Experiencing God at Home book and curriculum; Your Church Experiencing God Together; The Man God Uses; Fresh Encounter; the Experiencing God Musical; the children’s book Sammy Experiences God; and the teen book Seven Steps to Knowing and Doing the Will of God.

Retailing for $19.95 at LifeWay stores and LifeWay.com, the film documents three stories, representing the influence Experiencing God has had in its more than 20 years. 

Scott Mills, manager of LifeWay Films, told Christian Retailing that the idea for the movie division originated in October 2011, when LCR helped with the release of Courageous—the hit Christian movie from Sherwood Pictures.

“We want to be part of the faith-film movement,” he said. “We just see us coming alongside Christian filmmakers and offering resources to churches. It’s a very exciting time in Christian filmmaking. It’s also impacting Christian retailing. Christian bookstores are probably selling more faith-based DVDs now than they did five years ago.”

A free screening of Experiencing God was to be shown June 11-12 during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Houston. Another LifeWay Films title made in partnership with Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, Grace Unplugged, slated for theatrical release Oct. 4, was also to be shown at the convention.

The movie tells the story of an 18-year-old Christian singer/songwriter who performs each Sunday at her church. After landing a record deal in Los Angeles, she cuts off contact with her parents and seems prepared to walk away from her faith.

For more information, visit the website www.LifeWay.com/Films.

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