Fifty years ago, five missionaries were killed by the Auca Indians they were trying to share the gospel with. Next January, their story is being made into a film that will be in 1200 theaters across the country. The trailer was shown at General Council yesterday.

I love to see Christians venturing into the entertainment industry to tell redemptive stories that people need to hear! It’s a little scary because if we can’t compete at that level then we lose ground. But if we can produce things that rival what Hollywood is producing then we gain ground. I’m hoping this film helps us gain ground. You can check out the trailer at www.everytribe.com.

I hung out with Bill McDonald, the missionary who spoke at NCC a few weeks ago and heads the Unsion Network in South America that our services are broadcast on, and he said something so profound that I don’t think I’ll ever forget it: “He who tells the story shapes the culture.”

Isn’t that precisely what Jesus did? Bill said that Jesus was the premeir sit-com producer of his day. He didn’t have Television at his disposal, but his stories are still shaping culture 2,000 years later! He told real stories about real people that didn’t really have religious overtones. It was what I’d call theological subtrefuge or subtle truth. I’m not saying there isn’t a place for putting all the cards on the table, but Jesus modeled how to creatively communicate one’s worldview.

I love the philosophy of the Unsion network. It’s not all “overt religious programming” with a pastor preaching from a pulpit. They produce programs that are “covertly shaping values and worldview” of their audience. I know some people have a problem with that, but every Hollywood writer and director is evangelizing for their worldview when they produce things. It’s impossible not to.

One way or the other, it happens by default or design. I just think Christians need to be more strategic and intentional in telling stories that will shape culture!