From pulpit to big screen
Ten years ago when Jeffrey Schallert wrote the sermon that he titled āThe Advent Fairy Tale,ā he never imagined it would one day be turned into a feature film. Schallert, pastor at St. James, Cambridge/St. John, Fort Atkinson, Wis., was merely writing one of his āstorytelling sermons,ā popular with members of all ages.
As Schallert notes, āUsually you preach the sermon, say your āAmen,ā and get to work on next weekās sermon. But I was rather fond of this one, and so I kept coming back to it again and again.ā Over the years, āThe Advent Fairy Taleā was shared during a chapel devotion for students at St. Paul, Fort Atkinson; on a local Lutheran radio program; and in bulletin inserts for Schallertās churches.
A friend of Schallertās passed the bulletin inserts on to Steven Zambo, president of Salty Earth Pictures and a member of St. John, Newville, Wis. Zambo was captivated by the story, which is a creative parallel to Godās plan of salvation carried out through his Son, Jesus. Zambo went on to write and direct the screenplay based on Schallertās sermon. Now titled The Return, the film was released for distribution in November.
āI loved the āonce upon a timeā aspect to this story,ā says Zambo. āThe fantasy world is so popular today. Itās an approach of storytelling that crosses ages and cultures. We as Christians can use stories like this to reach people of faith and unbelievers as well.ā
Itās the kind of story that Salty Earth Pictures exists to create. The production company focuses on sharing stories that will, as its mission statement explains, āchallenge minds, lighten hearts, and strengthen souls.ā
Schallert has enjoyed watching the journey his story has taken from pulpit to big screen. He notes, āI hope viewers appreciate anew the poignant beauty of the love of Christ and the power that love has to make us better people.ā
To learn more or to purchase The Return, visit saltyearthpictures.org
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Volume 102, Number 12
Issue: December 2015
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