THE GRACE CARD

 
Witness the power of forgiveness in this amazing movie...

Last week, I wept like a baby and clinched a pack of tissue as I sat and watched the “Grace Card – a powerful message of grace, forgiveness and overcoming racism. My emotions were so stirred that I almost exited the theater to regain my composure. I was so moved that I am urging all my family and friends to see this movie.

It takes an intriguing story to draw me to the movie theater. A “must see”, this movie was packed with drama telling the story of two policemen, Sam (Michael Higgenbottom), white, middle-aged and deeply troubled, and Mac (Michael Joiner), a young African American, who felt called to full time ministry.

First-time director David G. Evans and his co-writer Howard Klausner create an incredible portrayal of unforgiveness, grace, anger and finally forgiveness. Mac, consumed by despair over the death of his five-year-old son eighteen years earlier, becomes a squad car partner to Sam, a man of faith who is dealing with his own frustrated professional ambitions and prejudices. The men work toward overcoming their differences and face a serious situation when Mac’s seventeen year old son is shot in a robbery.

This evangelical drama draws inspiration from Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” The movie’s conclusion is not only powerful and surprising; it reveals just how incredible God’s mercy and grace are and the power of forgiveness.

Unfortunately, most Christian based films don’t have a long showing season at theaters, so go quickly. Theaters make decisions about whether or not to continue showing a movie by the number of viewers on opening weekend. One of the most important things we can do is go see Christian films when they first open.

Some Christian producers choose to release movies directly to DVD, mostly for financial reasons. It costs a lot to produce a film and even more to get it into theaters. An estimated cost of $2000 per screen to show a movie and additional costs for advertising prevents some movies from ever reaching the theater. For a new filmmaker or small production company, it can be difficult to fund a theatrical release or find investors for it. Some Christian filmmakers – many of them churches; have used their own money to get a film into theaters and prayed it would cover costs. Their goal and purpose is not usually monetary. It is changing lives and bringing glory to God.

What Can We Do as Christians to Promote Christian Based Movies

• Tell your circle of friends, family, and co-workers about upcoming Christian movies – send emails, post on Facebook, Twitter, websites and blogs
• Pray for Christian filmmakers and their financial supporters
• Organize a church movie event
• Financially support Christian filmmakers
• Print out and post Christian movie information on church, school, community and work bulletin boards for those not active on the internet.