Editor’s note: Mount Vernon residents Joe and Marcy Rinehart won a trip to Georgia to the movie set of “Courageous,” and are writing about their experiences.
Wednesday, June 9
We are here! Praise the Lord, after two flights we have arrived in Albany to visit the set of “Courageous” — the new movie from Sherwood Pictures. We arrived at the Albany airport to smiling faces holding Courageous signs directing us to a big air-conditioned bus. (Thank goodness, because it’s 92 degrees.)
We are part of a group of media partners and action squad leaders from across the country. We are headed out to dinner at a local barbeque place to meet each other and some of the movie cast and crew. We each have a set pass and will get to see the action tomorrow.
At the airport, we got a chance to meet Ken Bevel, who played Lt. Michael Simmons in “Fireproof.” He was the firefighter that challenged his best friend (Kirk Cameron) to stay true to his marriage vows. Ken is back for “Courgeous” playing Nathan Hayes, a sheriff’s officer with three children: a teenage daughter, a son in grade school, and a toddler, who is played by Ken’s real son.
“Courageous” will challenge fathers to rise up to be the leaders God calls them to be. Sherwood Church hopes that “Courageous” will do for fathers what Fireproof did for marriages.
Join us and become a fan of “Courageous” at facebook.com/courageousthemovie. You can also follow the movie on twitter twitter.com/courageousmovie.
Tonight after an incredible meal at Albany’s RiverFront BBQ, we had a chance to visit with several of the cast and crew involved in “Courageous.” Just for the record, we had never had a sweet potato turnover until tonight, and it was awesome. Southern hospitality at its best.
Everyone we talked to is excited about the theme of this film, how it is developing, and how it will challenge fathers to, as Alex Kendrick (writer/director/actor) says, “Man up” and lead their families, getting engaged in the lives of their children.
“That single word title,” said Sherwood Baptist Senior Pastor Michael Catt, “echoes God’s call for men to rise with courage in their homes and as leaders. More than a third of children live away from their biological fathers. For more than a year, we’ve prayed to be sure that we’re pursuing God’s idea and not our own. With action, drama and humor, this film will embrace God’s promise in the Bible to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.”
Alex briefly outlined the plot for us: four fathers, all in law enforcement — who protect and serve together — go through a terrible tragedy. They begin looking at their role as fathers and begin challenging one another to fulfill God’s intention for fathers.
Marcy interviewed some of the folks, Joe shot video of the interviews, and we’ll be posting clips on the Facebook page during and after the trip, so stay tuned.
Today we head to the set after breakfast at the hotel. The cameras start rolling at 9 a.m. All we know is that it’s a scene in “the evidence room,” which got Marcy, the CSI fan, geeked up. More to come! Thanks for reading.
