Three Reasons King’s Faith Matters

The King’s Faith movie is a powerful story of redemption in a world that often judges people by their worst moment. Brendan King (Crawford Wilson) has had a lot of bad moments: 18 foster homes. Nine felonies. Three years locked up. One friend killed.

Those are some tough numbers to escape. There are plenty of people who won’t let Brendan forget what he’s done, like the intimidating local sheriff or the inner-city gang that tracks Brendan down.

But God makes all things new — including Brendan, who came to know Jesus Christ during his time in juvenile detention. Yet even with suburban teacher Mike Stubbs as his foster father, it won’t be easy to move forward.

Why You Should Watch

One of the great things about the King’s Faith story arc is that much like life, there are no easy answers. The consequences of past decisions don’t automatically go away when we change. Our salvation comes in a moment, but transformation usually comes in a series of moments, over time.

Another plus is that the King’s Faith cast includes big-name actors like Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story) and James McDaniel (Malcolm X) as the foster parents. Overall, the acting and production are good, and the characters are relatable — qualities sometimes missing in Christian movies.

But that still doesn’t tell you why this story about second chances actually matters — and more importantly, why it should matter to you.

Three Reasons King’s Faith Matters

Here are three reasons this faith-based film is way more than just a good watch:

• Characters seek practical ways to live out faith.Our sin-filled culture makes it hard to picture how to live like Christ in everyday life. Here we see it acted out in the Stubbs family, who reach beyond their own tragedy to give an 18-year-old foster kid a second chance. We particularly find it in Mike Stubbs’ warmhearted mentorship for this troubled teen.We also see the high school’s Seekers group actively “seeking” to live out their beliefs in life-changing ways. They have the humility to realize that because of Brendan’s own rough journey to Christ, he’s the key to understanding how to minister in practical ways to people with a very different background. That’s something we can miss when we assume we already know what’s best.
• God makes all things new — and not just for Brendan.In the King’s Faith movie, God uses Brendan’s compelling journey to spark healing for others. Characters like Vanessa, Kayla, and Russell come face to face with the pain or guilt they don’t want to deal with (but need to). As with Brendan, the shackles of their past gradually fall away, and they rise up new. They are more than their mistakes. More than what’s happened to hurt them. When God says “new,” He doesn’t mean kinda. That “hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11) is absolutely clear in God’s eyes for each of them, just as it is for you.
• This is your story.
  Jesus didn’t grade sins from okay to unforgivable. So the details are less important than the simple truth: You’re like Brendan. Even if you’ve never been in a gang or a foster home. Even if you’ve never committed a felony. Even if you’ve never done something you’re deeply ashamed of. But especially if you have — this is your story. Because we’ve all sinned — just like Brendan — and need redemption. No one is good enough to stand before God without accepting the salvation Jesus offers. And we all need the acceptance and freeheartedness of true Christian community to grow into the destiny God has for us. Each with a purpose that God uses the twists and turns of our stories to accomplish. Each able to witness to the world in a way that no one else can.

The Truth About Identity

The enemy is afraid of who Brendan can truly become and will fight hard to keep it from happening. Like many of us, Brendan will want to make his battle into one against flesh and blood. Instead, he’ll have to learn how to stand strong in his faith. When he does, God will fight the unseen enemy in ways Brendan could never imagine.

That’s the power of your story — and Brendan’s. He’s more than his statistics. More than his past. His identity doesn’t come from any of that. It comes from who he believes.

God has numbered the hairs of his head (Luke 12:7). He has redeemed Brendan and summoned him by name (Isaiah 43:1). God makes him new (Revelation 21:5). And before the King’s Faith movie is over, we’ll see God at work — for him and through him.

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Learn more about King’s Faith and watch it on Inspiration TV