The Importance of American Christian Writing, by Maude von Ehrenkrook

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Editor’s Note: Maude von Ehrenkrook is a long-time supporter of American Free News Network. She has been with us since the very beginning and is indeed a fellow trveller in the fight to bring back American values. She is also our “go-to” for all things related to Home Schooling. AFNN is proud to help promote her other efforts.

Ed. 

I think most conservatives and Christians agree that we need to be involved in and influencing culture. We can see the huge gains liberals have made pushing their morals; first, through the media which changed many people’s minds, and then, through politics. A great example of this is the sea change from the majority of Americans thinking homosexuality was immoral and now accepting it without qualm. Similarly, transgenderism was removed from the mental illness category as recently as 2013 after a concerted push to normalize transgenderism through media. Specifically, through films, television and books, these and other liberal ideologies, including socialism/communism, have been pushed on the public, desensitizing, normalizing, and extolling each liberal ideological conviction.

Liberals have made great progress in increasing support for many of their policies in this way, especially through film and tv. Have conservatives had the same result? No, we haven’t. We have had some successful films – usually Christian projects, like “The Chosen,” which have reached a wide audience. But one film here and there doesn’t change culture, even if it, hopefully, does change some hearts. Liberals have a huge advantage in that they run Hollywood while we are trying to scrounge up the funds and support to film each and every project. To have a culture-wide influence, it is essential that Christians become a larger portion of the media producers in America.

I am an independent filmmaker and a Christian. I have produced four feature films of my own so far and supported others. I know and have worked with various other actors and filmmakers who are at many different levels in film—both independent and in the Hollywood system. Some Christian filmmakers make only Christian films. Some make secular films from a Christian viewpoint. I, and many others, produce a mixture of Christian and secular content.

C.S. Lewis said, “What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects—with their Christianity latent.” That is what I am trying to do with films (and books!).  My heart is to produce secular content that shows Christians and Christianity in a positive light. I think so many people have an incorrect understanding based on false stereotypes of Christianity. These stereotypes affect our ability to share the gospel—why would anyone listen to someone they think is racist, hate-filled, and stupid? But not many non-Christians watch/read Christian films/books, so we need secular content that represents us honestly.

The biggest hurdle for every independent creative is getting their films/books/products to their audience. In our world, it is hard to get your product in front of people because there is so much noise to rise above. Without a huge marketing budget, the only option is a social media, grassroots campaign which is challenging in its own way.

I want to encourage every person reading this article to seek out Christian creatives to support. Of course, the best thing to do is to purchase their product—this direct financial support is essential to the creative being able to continue producing content.  However, there are also completely free ways to support Christian creatives. You can watch and subscribe to their YouTube channel, as well as follow, like, and share their social media pages and posts. Sharing their posts with your family and friends is another great, free way to expand the creative’s reach.

Did you know that a content creator doesn’t make any money from their YouTube channel until they have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watched content in a year? They still have commercials in their content but they don’t make a cent from them until they’ve reached those numbers. By subscribing to and watching videos on a Christian creator’s YouTube channel, you can help them reach those numbers and start earning from their YouTube content. Also, every view and like on all the social media pages makes that page show up more on other people’s recommendations and searches. That means, just by watching, subscribing, following, and liking Christian creatives’ content you are helping to promote a Christian creative to the world! For free!

Some people complain about the perceived quality of some independent Christian films, let me address this. In film, quality is a direct result of the budget. With enough money, anyone could make a film of Hollywood quality. The problem is Christian filmmakers are making films with a fraction of the budget that Hollywood films operate on.

To demonstrate this let’s compare some Christian and Hollywood films by similar genre (please note the release year as inflation would affect the buying power of more recent film budgets):

retro-biopic – “The Jesus Revolution” (2023) $15m/“Song Sung Blue” (2025) $30m,

kid’s Christmas – “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (2024) $20m/“Elf” (2003) $33m, comedy – “Mom’s Night Out” (2014) $5m/“Date Night” (2010) $55m,

inspirational sports – “Overcomer” (2019) $5m/“Remember the Titans” (2000) $30m.

In every example the Hollywood film’s budget was significantly higher than the Christian film counterpart. It is worth noting that in every example except the retro-biopic, the Hollywood film was older than the Christian film so the Hollywood film’s budget would have been even higher if it had been adjusted for inflation. Each of the Christian film examples were produced by the top tier of Christian independent film companies. The producers of these films didn’t start at these budget levels. 

Alex Kendrick of “Overcomer” started with “Flywheel” (2003) with a budget of $20,000 and a much lower production value. Dallas Jenkins of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “The Chosen” started with a lower budget as well although not as low as Kendrick’s. Dallas Jenkins is the son of Jerry B. Jenkins who co-authored “The Left Behind” series and wrote many other books. With the Jenkins’ connections and money, Dallas Jenkins produced his first feature at the $2m budget level, still considered low in the film industry.

Today, there are many independent Christian filmmakers making films in the low-budget to no-budget range. In the film industry low-budget films are generally considered those between $100,000 – $1m, micro-budget are from $10,000 – $100,000 range, and no-budget are from $0 – $10,000.  Inevitably, these smaller budgets will be reflected in their production quality. However, this is where most independent filmmakers start.  By supporting filmmakers at these lower levels, whether with free social media support, buying their products or investing, you are helping boost these filmmakers to higher rungs of production quality. That’s how we propel Christian films and filmmakers into the industry.

Just as important as helping launch Christian filmmakers/film companies, we should also be supporting Christian actors and filmmakers who are working within the Hollywood system. I know a number of Christians who work in Hollywood and it is very hard to maintain their convictions and still find work. One way I try to support these friends is to always try to watch their films in the movie theaters because theater tickets sold really help to show support to the films that employ them.

I will be launching a newsletter in the coming months that will highlight these people and projects so it is easier for you to find Christian creatives to support. I will publish another article then to invite you to sign up for the newsletter if you are interested. Until that time, if you are interested in supporting me on my creative journey, I would really appreciate if you would follow me on social media at these links:

My books (written under two pen names): https://arimatheapress.com/

 

Maude von Ehrenkrook has a degree in International Relations.  She worked in politics in D.C. before choosing to stay home with her kids.  She is a published novelist and small-business owner.  She is the proud widow of a Special Forces soldier and homeschools her children. 

 

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