Redeeming the Screens: Living Stories of Media "Ministers" Bringing the Message of Jesus Christ to the Entertainment Industry

by Jeanne C Defazio (Editor), William David Spencer Thd (Editor)

Overview

How does the future look to us? Well, clearly we realize we now live in a world of screens, from the microcosmic universe of to smartphone . . . to the imposing vigil of the multiplex giants, looming over us in Imax and 3-D—more "real" than real—and to all the screens in between, from computers to iPads, to muted, high definition flat-screens pouring out images in homes, restaurants, banks, businesses, schools, doctors' offices, and hospitals, and on and on everywhere we turn. We cannot change this reality, so what these Christians, and so many like them are doing is trying to find ways to redeem what we put on these screens: what message we are sending out in word and image to the watching world. So, clearly, our task, whether we have been called to create or not, is to join these artists as "screen redeemers," assisting the Holy Spirit in reconciling the world to God (2 Cor 5:18-19) through helping the pervasively influential means of the media adjust its goals to the mission of Jesus Christ.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498234467
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	05/03/2016
Series:	House of Prisca and Aquila
Pages:	222
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jeanne C. DeFazio holds an MA in Religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is currently an Athanasian Teaching Scholar at Gordon-Conwell's Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston and a co-author with Teresa Flowers of How to Have an Attitude of Gratitude on the Night Shift (2014) and co-editor with John P. Lathrop of Creative Ways to Build Christian Community (2013).

William David Spencer is Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Theology and the Arts at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Boston Center for Urban Ministerial Education. He is the recipient of twenty one awards for writing and editing and is the author of several hundred articles, reviews, poems, stories, and thirteen previous books, including his latest, the urban adventure novel Name in the Papers.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ix

Other Works by the Editors xi

Introduction Jeanne DeFazio xiii

1 Transforming the Mass Media of Entertainment Ted Baehr 1

Actors and Performers

2 Out of the Claws of the Predator: How to Avoid Being a Victim of the Entertainment Industry Olga Soler 25

3 When the Wheel Stopped Susan Stafford 43

4 Hollywood's Circus of the Stars Stuntman Bob Yerkes 53

5 The Hula Hoop Queen Jozy Pollock 62

6 Heavenly Manna, Inc Mel Novak 73

7 The Flight of a Butterfly Sheri Pedigo 81

8 Healing through Faith and Compassion Martha Reyes 90

9 Ambassador of Prayer Ministries: From Show Business to God's Business April Shenandoah 96

Producers, Directors, Consultants, and Pastors to the Entertainment Industry

10 Amazing Grace Beulah "Bee" Beyer Wenger 108

11 Unify Gemma Wenger 115

12 Caretakers of the Future Charlene Eber 127

13 Christ in You the Hope of Glory International Ministry Joanne Petronella 135

14 Uniting the Nations through Media LeaAnn Pendergrass 142

15 Media Fellowship International Bob Rieth 152

16 The Cathedral of Love of the Seven Golden Candlesticks Church and World Outreach Larry Abernathy 159

17 All Things Work Together for Good Linda Bah Smith 165

18 Following Our Rebel Lord William David Spencer 174

Conclusion William David Spencer 189

Bibliography 199

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Redeeming the Screens' words endorse the challenge of bringing Christ to the modern media. I am proud to be a Catholic priest as well as a member of SAG-AFTRA, sharing my love for Jesus on Christian TV stations each week and also doing films and commercials on the secular scene."
—Michael Manning, TV host of Word in the World; Author of 15 Faces of God

"Redeeming The Screens makes such impressive sense that empowering entertainment for the sake of our Lord's glory has become possible. Anyone involved in media production will treasure this book because it provides live models of how ministers combine their passion, talents, and faith to deliver God's truth. This book has provided a superb example of how this is to be accomplished. A warm and glowing book which I will share with many of my personal and professional friends."
—Joseph Nassralla, CEO & Founder of The Way TV, Duarte, CA

"Although all Christians are called to be lights, few will ever know the depth of this calling the men and women portrayed in this book have known. Their stories will challenge, humble, and inspire you to break out of your protective bubble and go into all the world and preach the gospel, even if that world is on Sunset Boulevard."
—Michele Pillar, Speaker; Author of Untangled; three-time Grammy Award-nominated singer

Editorial Reviews

"Redeeming the Screens' words endorse the challenge of bringing Christ to the modern media. I am proud to be a Catholic priest as well as a member of SAG-AFTRA, sharing my love for Jesus on Christian TV stations each week and also doing films and commercials on the secular scene."
—Michael Manning, TV host of Word in the World; Author of 15 Faces of God

"Redeeming The Screens makes such impressive sense that empowering entertainment for the sake of our Lord's glory has become possible. Anyone involved in media production will treasure this book because it provides live models of how ministers combine their passion, talents, and faith to deliver God's truth. This book has provided a superb example of how this is to be accomplished. A warm and glowing book which I will share with many of my personal and professional friends."
—Joseph Nassralla, CEO & Founder of The Way TV, Duarte, CA

"Although all Christians are called to be lights, few will ever know the depth of this calling the men and women portrayed in this book have known. Their stories will challenge, humble, and inspire you to break out of your protective bubble and go into all the world and preach the gospel, even if that world is on Sunset Boulevard."
—Michele Pillar, Speaker; Author of Untangled; three-time Grammy Award-nominated singer

From the Publisher