On Friday May 19th at 7pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Dundalk (Baltimore), Maryland, we were able to host the first in-person showing of our latest film “Redeeming Hope”. (The film releases on Tuesday May 23rd at noon!) God’s blessing upon every aspect of the night blew me away. Friends and people from all over the region came, and the auditorium floor was packed out with some overflow into the balcony. There was so much excitement, joy, and fellowship in the air!

Most importantly, the Holy Spirit greatly moved through the pews as tears could be seen and heard all across the auditorium throughout the film. (Katie and I found ourselves weeping more last night than during any other viewing of the various rough drafts of the film that we’ve tirelessly edited over the past few years. I had personally prayed beforehand with my family that God would give us fresh tears, and boy did He!)

It was so wonderful to see most of the cast and crew again and take pictures together on the “red carpet”. (Photos below — Hey, why not have a great time rejoicing together in celebrating what God has done? 😊🙌🏻) Of course, my dad (who plays a key role in the film) is in Heaven with Jesus. “He being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). My mother gave me the hat and tie he wore for the movie, and Katie and I were able to make a nice commemorative shadow box with them for all to see.

When the lights dimmed two minutes prior to the evening beginning, the entire auditorium grew quiet. You could’ve heard a pin drop on the platform’s hardwood floor. The anticipation was exhilarating! My dear friend and the main actor of the film, Pastor Stacey Shiflett, opened up the service a few moments later by greeting everyone and giving a few announcements before turning it over to me. I was so grateful for the sacrifice of this pastor and his church to help bring this movie into reality. (Honestly, when I asked Pastor Shiflett if he would be willing to be an actor for us, I don’t think he knew what he was “signing” up for…. It has been a wild and epic ride!! 🤪)

Most importantly, together we thanked the Lord for His guidance and anointing over the years upon this project. His hand had been so evident, especially in all of the little things, from the beginning up to the film’s release. The truth is, “Redeeming Hope” has been directed by the Lord every single step of the way. People have asked many times, “What led you to make this movie? Why spend so much time working on one project?” Folks, we are talking about thousands of hours – quite the laborious task! My constant response has always been, “We’re making this film because the Lord told us to do it! Katie and I are just obeying His clear leading. (And we joyously have done so!) I don’t know what God has in store through it, but He can do with it whatever He desires. It’s His film.”

After my brief word, Pastor Shiflett prayed over the movie, and the auditorium went dark as the film began. My heart pounded with excitement! This was it!! Praise God!

At the end of the film, we had an altar call. Four individuals trusted Christ and at least seven received assurance of their salvation. Over a dozen surrendered / re-surrendered their lives to Christ. And the altar and aisles were flooded with broken Christians whose hearts burned with conviction and compassion to be used by the Lord to reach more people with the hope of the Gospel before it is eternally too late.

At the end of the film, we had an altar call. Four individuals trusted Christ and at least seven received assurance of their salvation. Over a dozen surrendered / re-surrendered their lives to Christ. And the altar and aisles were flooded with broken Christians whose hearts burned with conviction and compassion to be used by the Lord to reach more people with the hope of the Gospel before it is eternally too late.

I am overwhelmed with the goodness of God! Pastor Shiflett looked at me with a smile and said two words: “First fruits!”

This is my heart cry: Yes, Lord! May it be so; please, may it be so. Please use this film for Your glory to save multitudes around the world and stir the hearts of countless believers to become more passionate in reaching the lost for Christ!

Then on Saturday May 20th at 5pm, we had the joy of showing “REDEEMING HOPE” to 140 people in the Calvary Baptist auditorium…. Most of them were from rescue missions in the area brought in for this special viewing. A delicious “all-you-can-eat” meal of smashed burgers and grilled chicken wings was provided afterwards that the church people sacrificially made. At least 15 precious souls came to Jesus that night!! Again — many were deeply touched by the film and made eternal decisions for Christ.

One man who came forward said, “I’m tired of living and feeling like this. I’m tired of feeling so worthless. I’m tired of being ‘Denver’. I need God to change me.” He wept his way to Christ. It was so beautiful!

“This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). Thank you, Jesus!

For the Lord’s glory & the Gospel’s sake, Evangelist Caleb Garraway