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Film's Producers On Fire For Lord

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

Call it the purpose-driven movie.

And if it does one-tenth as well as Rick Warren's wildly successful "Purpose Driven Life" book, then "Fireproof" could earn a footnote in cinematic history.

The film - the third produced by Sherwood Pictures, the movie-making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. - opened Friday nationwide in some 850 theaters, including about 20 in the greater Tampa Bay area. Like last year's "Facing the Giants," a football-themed movie produced by the same team, this film is depending on the Christian community to give it the bounce it needs at the box office.

While "Fireproof" delivers on drama, action, humor and even star power with lead actor Kirk Cameron from the long-running television sitcom "Growing Pains," it has a major purpose: Deliver a contemporary love-and-action story that ultimately shows how to resurrect dying marriages and strengthen good ones with a program that puts God at the center.

For many today, marriage isn't what it used to be.

Statistics paint a gloomy picture, according to the 2006 census. Almost 10 percent of the American population - 20 million people - are divorced. And people marrying today have a 50 percent chance of splitting up.

"Marriages are hemorrhaging in this country," says Stephen Kendrick, an associate pastor at Sherwood and the movie's co-writer and producer. "They've been re-defined; they've been watered down. Some consider marriage nothing but a piece of paper."

Kendrick and his brother, Alex, also an associate pastor at Sherwood, are taking yet another leap of faith with their third low-budget movie going mainstream. If the pattern of success continues, "Fireproof" may cause Hollywood to sit up and take notice.

"People long for good movies that don't trample their values and stomp on their faith," Kendrick says. "That's the simple answer why audiences like these films."

The brothers collaborated with writer Eric Wilson on the first go-around with "Flywheel," filmed in 2003 on a $20,000 budget and all-volunteer cast in Albany. The story centered on a used-car salesman who discovers a better way of doing business - one that honors God. After playing in the town's theater for six weeks, "Flywheel" bumped to the big time when Provident Films and Sony released a DVD version in the Christian retail market.

Next came "Facing the Giants" - this time with a $100,000 budget, again filmed in Albany with volunteers.

Optioned by Provident Films, it was released to 441 theaters in October 2006. Audiences loved the story of the high school football coach and his team's improbable championship season; the film earned more than $10 million at the box office. Since being released on DVD, it has sold more units in Christian retail stores than any other audio or video product for 2007.

Looking To 'Impact The Culture'

Then the Kendrick brothers did what Hollywood wouldn't understand: They took a little prayer break. "We spent months asking God to give us something that would impact the culture. Anyone can entertain with a movie. We wanted something with the power to make a much-needed change," Stephen Kendrick says.

The idea for the story came to Alex, whose brother loved it from the beginning. Although they each have a solid marriage - 13 years for Alex and eight for Stephen, with eight kids between them - the brothers spend a fair amount of time in their pastoral roles counseling disgruntled and disillusioned husbands and wives.

"As ministers, we're right in the thick of it. And once marriages completely dissolve, we deal with the aftermath. That's part of the story you don't always hear about, but it's just as painful," Stephen Kendrick says.

They didn't hold back on the script. The plot centers on a firefighter and his very troubled marriage to a hospital public relations manager. They fight about real-life issues: Money, sex (or lack of it), not showing appreciation, self-centeredness, time and more money. Internet porn, a relative newcomer to the couples-in-distress scene, is part of the mix.

This time, they had a $500,000 budget - still peanuts by Hollywood standards - and some 1,200 volunteers, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

They brought in acting coaches for the amateur thespians and filmed in 16 locations around Albany. The railroad company donated a train; the local fire department loaned trucks.

Their main departure this time around was hiring Cameron, a big fan of "Facing the Giants." Instead of taking a fee, he had Sherwood Pictures make a donation to a nonprofit camp he and his wife run in Georgia for seriously and terminally ill children and their families. Likewise, in keeping with the vision that this is a ministry and not a money-making venture, proceeds from the Sherwood productions are helping build an 82-acre public sports park in Albany.

Vision Has Become A Reality

Jim McBride, who serves as executive pastor for the 3,000-member church, is allowing himself to think big on this movie. He thinks audiences will respond to the film's "practical steps of resolution" to the common conflicts found in so many marriages.

"Our initial vision from the beginning was to reach the world from Albany. And we did that with 'Facing the Giants.' It's being distributed in 13 languages in 56 countries on every continent," McBride says. "Now that the vision has become a reality, no telling what the Lord has in mind."

That success will depend on people such as Dan Darling, a marketing manager for Tampa Bay Christian Counseling Center and a volunteer promoter for the film.

He and his helpers bought "thousands" of "Fireproof" tickets at $8 each from local theaters running the film, then distributed them to some 50 local churches to sell. Some of those churches are encouraging couples to take a "date night" at the movies. Can't get a babysitter? No problem. Some churches are offering a free drop-off service with congregation volunteers.

"A woman who works at Regal Theaters told me she hasn't seen this much buzz for a film since 'Batman,'" Darling says.

He loved the film. "Fireproof" has something for everyone: Romance, fast-paced action, drama and levity. But it's most important role will be to shine a light on an institution that needs some tender loving care and attention these days.

"We look at this as an incredible counseling opportunity," Darling says. "With all the struggles people are dealing with these days, marriage and family life are breaking down all around us. This movie is raw and realistic, and it shows a way to work through the worst of times and come out healthy and happy."

Kendrick and his brother aren't allowing themselves to think of what's next for their movie ministry. He's got "Fireproof" to promote and a baby due next week. And he's hoping to see a new attitude about marriage emerge from this film.

"It's a cornerstone of our culture, and it's time to make it solid again," Stephen Kendrick says. "It's the best way God can teach us about unconditional love."

For trailers and study guides on "Fireproof," go to fireproofthemovie.com. Michelle Bearden can be reached at mbearde n@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7613.

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