Woodlawn | Official Trailer | In Theaters Oct 16

Sean Astin in Woodlawn

Published on Apr 1, 2015

Woodlawn is the true story of how unity and revival saved a city torn apart by race, in theaters October 16. Visit http://www.WoodlawnMovie.com for more information.

Alveda King - "Why 'If It Bleeds, It Leads' Fails News Readers"

Alveda King

Why 'If It Bleeds, It Leads' Fails News Readers

10/1/2015 ALVEDA KING  charisma news

A boy after the Nepal earthquake. (Reuters)

Have you ever noticed that when people go to a restaurant and they get bad service, they are all too willing to make a complaint? But when they get good, or even great service, they say nothing. The same is true with most services that people receive. Sure, there is the occasional exception to the rule. But for the most part, that's just human nature.

That seems to be the case with news and current events. The media is all too happy to report all the chaos going on in our world but is not so quick to report on the good going on in everyday life. I guess the good news doesn't bring in the ratings. As the saying goes, "If it bleeds, it leads."

With everything that is going on in the world today, good is rising in the hearts of humanity. For every bad deed, there are two, although unreported, blessings to outshine them. For example, prime time TV is flooded with shows having themes of sexual temptation and violence these days. At the same time movies like War Room and Woodlawn are receiving rave reviews.

In the music world, where many, and usually the most popular ones, songs seem to contain such graphic material, both sexual and violence, that warning labels must be printed on the cover of the albums. A less well known song, "Pray for America" is resonating across the country.

A classic favorite, "This Is My Body," re-emerged at the World Meeting of Families. Tears flowed as hearts were recommitted for life.

The coverage of Pope Francis' visit to Washington, New York, and Philadelphia and his much needed message of unity brought hope to many in times of many trials.

At times we are so bombarded by the evils of the world that we feel as though we, as a single individual, are helpless to do anything about it.

But, besides what is going on in the world at large, we all live in a smaller sphere in which each one of us has an influence on those around us. If we treat each other with agape love, we can change the world one person at a time. You may be the hope for that someone you run into today.

As I travel around the country speaking at various events, I sometimes like to get the audience's participation as we sing, "This Little Light Of Mine." It reminds us that, as Matthew 5:14 says, "You [all of us] are the light of the world ..." (addition mine). You and I are called to be a light to those around us. And together we can light up the world and darkness will have nowhere to hide.

It is said that every cloud has a silver lining. The battle for life is raging, yet we are winning.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

Millions of Christians Send Clear Message to Hollywood

Sean Astin in 'Woodlawn' (YouTube)

Millions of Christians Send Clear Message to Hollywood

 9/30/2015 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

It's not often that a film centered on the power of prayer breaks big box-office numbers. But that's exactly the case with War Room, a new movie that tells the story of a marital crisis overcome by prayer. War Room, made for just $3 million, has now raked in more than $50 million after capturing the No. 1 spot earlier this month.

And War Room, from the creators of Courageous, Fireproof and Facing the Giants, is not alone. An influx of family-friendly, faith-based films is hitting the big screen this fall, including Captive, featuring the Emmy-nominated David Oyelowo and Kate Mara. The two star in the faith-based crime drama that opened on Sept. 18, where Oyelowo plays a killer on the run and Mara is his drug-addicted hostage. But underneath the gritty storyline, faith plays a significant role.

Then next month, the football drama Woodlawn, starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight and Sean Astin, follows a remarkable true story about how love and unity, fueled by spiritual revival, overcame racism and hate in Alabama in the early 1970s. Opening Oct. 16, the film is already creating buzz.

American Family Association, which often champions for family-friendly entertainment, says the attention to faith-based films this fall is evidence that Christian moviegoers are sending a message about the kind of entertainment they want to see in Hollywood. AFA adds that these faith-based, "good news" films will have an indelible impact on kids, families and society.

"American Family Association takes on many heavy issues in society, but we like to go to the movies too," said AFA President Tim Wildmon. "When entertainment, however, tears down our society and is a negative influence on our kids, we feel we must step in. At the same time, when there are wonderful options for families to watch together, we want to bring these films to the attention of everyone. For decades, the big screen has been dominated by violence, sex, drugs and crime. But this fall, there is a bit of light, and families whose dollars are driven by their values will have some great movie picks this fall. Hopefully, this trend is a glimpse of things to come and our culture will show some evidence of the impact."

Likewise, AFA's own film debut, Summer Snow, went international this summer, with screenings in several countries around the world, including Spain, Brazil, Germany and Turkey, with interest from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia and more. Released in the summer of 2014 by American Family Studios, a division of AFA,Summer Snow saw great success in the theater, on DVD and in its television debut on UPtv.

Starring David Chisum, Cameron Goodman, Garrett Backstrom, Brett Rice and Rachel Eggleston, Summer Snow tells the story of 8-year-old Hallie Benson (Eggleston), a small girl with a very big heart. Whether baking cookies for a grumpy neighbor or selling toothbrushes to help a friend, Hallie always thinks of others. Unfortunately, her "creative" ways of helping people often leave her father, Dan (Chisum), with a mess to clean up. Dan struggles to keep it all together after his wife's death. He doesn't cook, do hair or know how to help his three children without his beautiful wife and her unshakeable faith in God.

This past weekend at Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., where several AFA representatives were featured speakers and moderators, attendees had the opportunity for a sneak peek of Woodlawn, as well as Beyond the Farthest Star, which tells the story of a Democratic senator who burns a courthouse nativity and brings the national spotlight to a forgotten Texas town and a once-famous preacher.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!