Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the brothers who created the hit movies Fireproof and Courageous, are "expanding their film-making endeavors beyond the walls" of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga.

"It is with hearts of gratefulness for the past and a sense of God's leadership for the future that the Kendrick brothers are announcing a new direction," the siblings said on their website. "Kendrick Brothers Productions will be launching an independent movie production company designed to partner with believers across the nation and help train the next generation of Christian filmmakers."

After years of prayer, and with the support of Sherwood Baptist Pastor Michael Catt and Executive Pastor Jim McBride, the brothers plan to make their next as-yet-titled movie under the new company.

Alex Kendrick told Christian Retailing that the venture "is basically growing pains."

"My brother and I are still ordained ministers at the church, and it's still our home base," said Kendrick, who with his brother made four films under the Sherwood Pictures banner—Courageous, Fireproof, Facing the Giants and Flywheel. "This is a blessed venture from pastor of the church and what God is calling us to do. It's part of growing pains of this movie ministry."

Catt added: "We love these guys and are grateful for God sending them to our staff over a decade ago. When we began this journey, none of us had movies in mind. ... Our prayers are with them as they pursue future endeavors."

Under the new company, the Kendricks will able to film outside Albany, and not just use volunteers from the church in making their movies.

"For the next movie, we will shoot wherever we need to shoot, and we'll include as many Christian film students [as possible]," Kendrick said. "We need to be investing in the next generation, teaching them what we know at this point. We're thinking of passing the torch someday. We still have several films in us. Just as 2 Timothy talks about teaching faithful men, we want to teach other filmmakers to honor the Lord."

The brothers are currently writing the script for their next movie.

"We know the title, theme and story, but it's a little too soon to say," Kendrick said. "That's coming in the near future. We hope to be done in about a year. It should be in theaters in either fall 2014 or early 2015."

Learn more at http://kendrickbrothers.com/.

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