ABHMS Grant Supports Innovative Film Produced by “Evangelical Outsiders”

With a $10,000 grant from American Baptist Home Mission Societies, Standing In the Gap Inc. is creating content to build the global Christian Church. As a media development and production entity, the organization’s goal is to change trajectories, especially for young people of color and of faith, through the creation of unifying and edifying media; mentoring programs for young leaders; education and equipping; and art that transforms our world. With innovative content, events and gatherings, their project [GOSPEL] ushers in a world where Christians are known for unity, love, and recognizing purpose and destiny in all.

ABHMS funds helped support [GOSPEL]’s latest work, a short film titled “Are We There YET.” Produced by Standing In the Gap founder Marisa Prince and Calvin Lee who together launched [GOSPEL], the film captures evangelical outsiders crossing the country to better understand the Doctrine of Discovery, which established a spiritual, political, and legal justification for colonization and seizure of land not inhabited by Christians. They are investigating its connection to Christian nationalism and the possibility of charting a new course for the American Christian Church, one that is moving collectively to eradicate inequity and model the unity of God.

Prince says, “We have an appetite for fresh spaces and content that grapples with how our faith can engage the world and shape the future of the Church. There’s a hunger for honesty, equity, freedom and justice in our faith communities, our world and in the media we consume.”

Prince believes the film will resonate with a wide range of audiences, and hopes to expose as many as possible to its timely message. The finished piece will be submitted to festivals, used on a national seminary/theological school focus group tour, and then released widely on YouTube, to remove almost all financial and geographical barriers to consumption for viewing audiences.

ABHMS’ Director of Leadership Empowerment, the Rev. Lauren Ng, expresses her delight in working with Christian entrepreneurs like Prince and Lee. “It’s invigorating to recognize potential among people of faith and to walk alongside those who show promise for new forms of ministry. I’m excited to see what comes next for [GOSPEL]!”