Write His Answer

“You are the world’s light – a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see.”
Matthew 5:14 TLB

Dr. Ted Baehr, founder and chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission®, is letting his light shine in Hollywood. This Friday, February 24, Hallmark will telecast Movieguide®’s 20th Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, 7 p.m. Central Time, and 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Movieguide® is a family guide to movies and entertainment founded by Ted. Movieguide® (www.movieguide.org), and its sister organization, the Christian Film & Television Commission® (CFTVC), is an international non-profit ministry dedicated to “redeeming the values of the entertainment industry by influencing industry executives and by informing and equipping the public about the influence of the entertainment media.”  

The awards will honor the Best Movies for Families and Best Movies for Mature Audiences. They also include the Faith & Freedom Awards for Promoting Positive American Values, the Grace Awards for Most Inspiring Performances in Movies and TV, and the $100,000 Epiphany Prizes for Most Inspiring Movie and TV Program of 2011.

Ted keynoted at last year’s Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on “Transforming Our Culture” and taught a continuing session on “Breakthrough Scriptwriting.” He will do the same at this year’s May 16-19 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. You’ll learn how to write a script that is structurally sound, entertaining, morally responsible and very marketable.

Dan Wooding, founder and chief editor of ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net), received the fourth annual “Passion for the Persecuted” plaque from Open Doors USA at the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) on February 20. Jerry Drystra, Media Relations Director for Open Doors USA, said, “It is a pleasure to give Dan and ASSIST this award. His passionate, professional documenting of persecution around the globe has influenced thousands to pray and support suffering Christians. I just returned from Egypt. The Christians there told me it is important to join them in prayer for their country and to get their story out during the revolution taking place there. And getting the news to Christians in the West is exactly what ASSIST has been doing for more than 20 years.”

In accepting the award, Dan told the media professionals gathered for the presentation that it was Brother Andrew, the founder of Open Doors, who had first given him the “bug” to spend the rest of his life helping persecuted Christians. “It has been my privilege to have worked alongside Open Doors now for many years and I am honored to be able to receive this award on behalf of my wonderful team of writers from around the world, many of whom literally risk their lives to bring their stories to us.”

Dan’s GPCWC keynoteat last year’s GPCWC focused on “Persecuted Christians.” He also taught a workshop on “How to Become a First-Class Journalist.” He will do the same this year at the May 16-19 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. You may subscribe free of charge to ASSIST News. I urge you to do so today.

Ted and Dan are both letting their light shine. If you did not hear them at last year’s GPCWC and are unable to come to Colorado in May, an order form for CDs is online at  www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia. I haven’t yet begun updating the GPCWC website with information on this year’s August 1-4 conference except for a partial list of faculty. I hope to have the website updated and the brochure at the printer early April. The website for the May 16-19 Colorado Christian Writers Conference is in transition from FrontPage to Expression Web.

God bless you and your writing. May He help us all to “Shine out . . . like beacon lights, holding out . . . the Word of Life” (Philippians 2:15-16 TLB).