The movie, “Courageous: Honor Begins at Home,” is slated to open Sept. 30 in theaters nationwide. But when members of First Baptist Church, Camden, discovered that their local theater could not show it on opening weekend, they contacted the movie’s production company and set a project in motion. “Courageous” is now scheduled to debut Sept. 30 at Camden’s Little Theater, and the church is ready to use it to impact community families.
“A group from our church saw the movie at Ridgecrest in July and knew we would have to have this shown in Camden,” said church member Larry Godwin. “We believe it has the ability to change our community.”
The movie’s storyline centers around a band of four law-enforcement officers who give their best on the job but are frustrated with their performance as fathers when off the clock. When relationships with their children drift and tragedy strikes, the men wrestle with issues of fear, hope, and faith.
“The story is very convicting,” said Godwin. “Any person, particularly a husband and father, will be pushed to examine his own life.”
“Courageous” is the newest feature film from Sherwood Pictures, a church-sponsored production company that made “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof.”
Camden First Church contacted the company directly to inquire about showing “Courageous.” Before access was granted to the movie, the church was required to create a detailed action plan that included film promotion and community ministry goals.
The church has used online resources provided by the makers of “Courageous” to promote the movie through local newspaper, radio, and cable television outlets and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The church also purchased user-friendly leader kits from LifeWay Christian Resources to give to other local pastors and churches so they can be aware of the movie and promote its message through Bible studies and sermon series.
Belinda Jolley, director of the adult ministry office of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, said she was impressed with the church’s insistence on bringing “Courageous” to Camden. “I believe the ‘we must do something with this’ response this group of leaders had is going to be the type of personal response men have after viewing the movie,” she said.
In order to get people in the community to the theater, the church is using some creative outreach ideas, including offering “date night” babysitting so that young couples can attend a Friday night showing. The church will also set aside a weekday afternoon showing for high school athletic teams and invite the players’ fathers to experience the movie with their children. Since the movie’s plot involves policemen, local law-enforcement officers will be invited to a special showing as well.
There are also plans to incorporate the “Courageous” storyline into intentional evangelism. At the conclusion of each movie showing, Godwin said church members will thank people for coming and circulate flyers promoting “Courageous”-themed Bible studies at the church to help men become better husbands and fathers. Also, a moment in the film has the main characters signing a resolution to create godly legacies for their families. The church will provide the opportunity for men and women to make their own resolution after the movie.
For his part, Godwin encourages church staff and lay leaders to see the movie and provide Bible studies in their churches. “We know we are going to make a difference in the lives of people in our community,” Godwin said.
At another SCBC church, South Main Street Baptist Church in Greenwood, pastor Alan Quigley was able to secure a showing of “Courageous” on opening weekend in the relatively small market of Greenwood because of an Upstate connection with the film. Travis Agnew, worship pastor at North Side Baptist Church in Greenwood, was asked by LifeWay Christian Resources to write the Bible study material that will be released after the film opens.
“We have already pre-sold 943 tickets for the opening in Greenwood at the REI Cinema, making it one of their best pre-sell openings,” said Quigley. “This film is having a huge impact on the churches and families across America, and we have a local connection.”
For more online information about the movie, visit www.courageousthemovie.com. Themed resources and new downloads are available through www.courageousresources.com. – SCBC