Who said what?

“…Look what they are doing to their own people. It is all about the destruction of the family, of cultural and national identity, perversion and abuse of children, including pedophilia, all of which are declared normal in their life. They are forcing the priests to bless same-sex marriages…

“But here is what I would like to tell them: look at the Holy Scripture and the main books of other world religions. They say it all, including that family is the union of a man and a woman, but these sacred texts are being questioned…”

Question:

What famous world figure recently made this intensely truth filled statement when referring to one of the enemies of God?

 a.  Joe Biden

b. Pope Francis

c. Franklin Graham

d. Vladimir Putin

Answer:

·         Click here to check your answer 

Mansfield was Chosen

Premiere

The location of the world premiere of the faith-based movie Chosen (2021) was not California’s Hollywood last Saturday evening (11/13/2021), but Mansfield, Ohio. Crossroad Church on Park Avenue West hosted the event. The movie’s producer, several cast members and a large crowd were present for the first showing of Chosen. The crowd was very well dressed, there was even a sprinkling of formal evening gowns and tuxedos.

Producer

Jason Campbell, president of JCFilms, which produced the film, made some introductory remarks at the premier. Camp bell indicated that Chosen was one of 40 faith-based and family films his company has made. His desire in making these films “to change the culture for good.” He also indicated that another film was in the works and to be soon completed called Duplicate Divinity, which is also being filmed in Mansfield.

Production

Chosen was shot in Mansfield and even included several members of Crossroad’s staff, who were part of the cast, including the Lead Pastor Dave Vance and the Worship Arts Pastor Ernesto Alcantara. The movie stars Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo, Heather Habura, and Eddie McClintock and will be released Fall of 2021. The film deals with adoption and foster care, which is a growing concern in America.

Plot

The movie is a multi-plot movie which follows the lives of several children, families and situations all involving either adoption of fostering of children. It is simultaneously entertaining, inspiring, and educational. One moment you are laughing and the next you become tearful. It is heartwarming and heart wrenching. Family is a theme and boy, does our society need to hear that today! Unfortunately, many kids are passed from home to home in the foster care system, some never really find their forever family.

Purpose

Chosen should empower and motivate people of faith, especially, increasing awareness, advocacy, and involvement of the plight of children in need of adoption and/or fostering. In Ohio nearly 16,000 children are being cared for in foster care every day. And that number is expected to increase as the number of foster parents declines. There has also been an increase in teen suicides.

Chosen highlights the beauty and potential of adoption and foster parenting, but it also shows challenges that many adoptive and foster parents face. The movie depicts how communities and people of faith can come together to help overcome these many challenges. In the movie Child Protective Services (CPS) is positively portrayed, which is far from reality, but it does show how CPS should operate ideally. There are a great many problems within the foster care system today – child trafficking, abuse, and exploitation. However, God-empowered Christians and churches can take back some of the spiritual ground that has been lost. Matthew 25:35 challenges us all, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in;”

The JCFilm’s website states that more than making a film for entertainment, the company’s goal is to leave a lasting effect on the lives of those involved in adoption and foster parenting in Ohio and around the world. Campbell is quoted as saying, "We don't just want to make a film. We want to make a film that will change and benefit the lives of children… This is more than just a film; it is a movement to empower people of faith to get involved.”  Campbell has called the movie “a blueprint for what churches and communities can do to help” improve adoption and fostering of children.

“Realistically, not everyone can be a foster or adoptive parent, we get that. But everyone can give a helping hand,” Campbell remarked. “Thus, we are creating Ohio Helping Hands to follow the blueprints echoed in the film to help people find ways to support foster and adoptive families. Simply put, Ohio Helping Hands will provide parents and children in foster care or adoption situations with programs that promote safety, permanency, and community.”

Promotion

Watch for Chosen to come to a theater near you later this fall and buy a ticket to the movie, and/or buy the DVD. Visit the website, https://OhioHelpingHands.org, and see what the Lord would have you do.

Help Sponsor a Child in Need

I got message below from Lifeline Ministries. Lifeline is a missions organization serving many North American nations including Haiti, Honduras, and Mexico. They help the poor and disadvantaged as well as teach them about Jesus.  I was especially touched by this particular story. July 11, 2011 Carlos Cojon and his wife Paty are the Directors of the Omoa Children's Home in Honduras.  Carlos wears several hats, including Honduras Administrator, but Carlos and Paty's love for the girls simply radiates from them.  We thank God every day for this ministry, the Cojon's, and the changes we see in the lives of these precious girls. Many precious little girls have come to live at the Home and some have very ugly stories that are hard to repeat.  Most all of these girls have been neglected. Some abused. One was born in prison.  Others molested.  But each grab your heart and within days and weeks they come to recognize that their new-found family loves them deeply.  My hat goes off to Carlos and Paty for what they do.  It is a hard ministry.   It is even more amazing to see how God has worked in the lives of these girls.  Some of them now are getting higher education, thanks to generous donors.  And one of our oldest girls now works at Lifeline's clinic.  The older girls have all claimed their own personal faith and relationship with our Lord.  They have been baptized and are active in the church and community outreach to the youth. Please praise God and join us in praying for a very special little girl that has recently been placed in the home... Karla, the newest "angel" at the Omoa Children's Home Hello everyone! My wife and I have ministered almost 6 years at the OmoaChildren's Home, and God is giving us great experiences, especially when new "angels"  come to our home. This year we were praying for two girls and, in God´s time, they came three weeks ago.  But we did not know that God had another angel for the Children Home.  Last week we got a call from the police and the Public Prosecutor's  Office asking us for a place  for one  special girl. She was at ahospital because she was rescued from a sad situation.   My wife went to see her at the hospital and  really her situation was deplorable.  She is 11 and can´t speak; she could not walk because she was used to being tied up to a chair. And since Karla was used to being tied up she never learned to eat like a normal person, etc. Karla  does not have parents; they  are dead.  Karla was under the care of one of her sisters who is 19 years old  and she tied her up.   The police, together with Public Prosecutor Child  Rescue,  heard about our home and  they asked  us to  have Karla temporarily (I don´t know how long is "temporary") but we accepted this challenge. God knows the best for Karla, I can say, God is working hard on His Creation.   Karla is doing well here.   Thank you for your prayers and love for the children in Honduras; God bless Lifeline's ministry around the world. In His Work, Carlos  If you would like to sponsor a child like Karla or make a one time donation to Lifeline Ministries, please click here.