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DALLAS - The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series was inspired by the true story of five American missionaries speared to death in the Amazon jungle in 1956. It captures the fullness of this transformative story in three films, Beyond the Gates of Splendor, End of the Spear and The Grandfathers.
Bill Oechsler, president of EthnoGrpahic Media talks about the project in the excerpted interview below.
Q. You are sending pastors a teaching and preaching resource that includes elements from three of your films. Why not just make the films available for event screenings and DVD sales?
A. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series explores the themes of sacrifice, reconciliation and heritage. These are especially relevant to biblical teaching and inspirational preaching. It's really an excellent resource for pastors to share this remarkable story with their congregations and communities. Using Steve Saint as the first person narrator throughout the series only strengthens its meaning and significance.
Q. Why is it important for pastors to present the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series at this time?
A. While the story may be more than half a century old, it continues to positively impact individuals, families and communities. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series can align with ministerial programs, cut across cultures and generations and reach out beyond the church to those in the surrounding communities. It's a way of helping congregations experience this true and incredibly inspirational story in a new way and, perhaps, for the first time. Of course, the real impact of this program will be realized in the teaching and preaching experiences at the local church level.
Q. What would you personally like people to take away after experiencing the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series?
A. While on a mission trip in the mid-1980s, I met a woman who recounted an amazing story of her life in the Amazon jungle living with the tribe who had killed her brother. Her name was Rachel Saint. Some 20 years later, the ad agency where I worked helped to launch Beyond the Gates of Splendor and End of the Spear. Now, a year ago, I was part of launching The Grandfathers here at EGM. And just recently I accompanied Steve Saint and his son, Jaime, on the Walk His Trail UK Tour. After almost 30 years, the story continues to challenge, inspire and encourage me. I simply desire the same for others.
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