BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Lifeway Christian Resources has teamed up with filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick to provide a suite of new resources to accompany their latest project, “The Forge,” which is scheduled to hit theaters August 23.
Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the director-and-producer brother team behind movies like “War Room,” “Courageous” and “Overcomer,” said their new film will spotlight the subjects of mentorship and discipleship. The Kendricks hope “The Forge” will ignite a true desire in people to become disciples of Jesus.
The movie follows the story of 19-year-old Isaiah Wright, played by newcomer Aspen Kennedy, who is drifting through life—no job, no plans, no idea how to be a man. His mom, Cynthia, played by Priscilla Shirer, gives him an ultimatum—step up or move out. Enter Joshua Moore, played by Cameron Arnett, who not only gives Isaiah a job but much needed wisdom and spiritual guidance. Isaiah is forced to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God might have a greater purpose for his life.
“The Forge” will also include beloved characters from “War Room” which climbed to No. 1 at the box office in 2015. “We were already inspired with a powerful storyline, but the entire movie vaulted up when we realized it beautifully fit alongside our favorite “War Room” characters,” said Stephen Kendrick in a release about the film.
Alex Kendrick said he and his brother hoped the film would cause people to think about their own role in discipleship. “We are praying that when people walk out of the theater after seeing the film, they are thinking one of two things: Lord, who is someone that I can disciple? Or do I need to be discipled?”
“Our hope is that there will be a multiplication effect of discipleship across churches,” said Stephen Kendrick.
B&H Publishing Group and Lifeway are offering five related resources that address discipleship, including a book by the Kendrick brothers titled “Devoted to Jesus” and a book titled “I Surrender All,” by Priscilla Shirer, who stars in the film. “Count Me In” is a book for teens written by Travis Agnew and the Kendricks.
For churches that want to take full advantage of the film and go deeper in their understanding of discipleship, Lifeway has teamed up with AFFIRM Films to release two Bible studies to underscore the message of the film. Releasing in June, prior to the release of the film, “The Forge Bible Study” is designed to ignite a passion for following Christ and helping others become disciples of Jesus. This five-week small group study uses featured clips from the movie and explores a simple, reproducible approach to discipleship.
“Fully Devoted” is an eight-week group study by the Kendricks that will take readers on a journey through Jesus’s invitation to follow Him and then to intentionally make disciples of others. It’s designed to help groups dive into what it looks like to be Jesus’ disciple.
“We have forever been grateful for our partnership with Lifeway and their heart for the Great Commission,” said Stephen Kendrick. “We hope these resources will help churches make disciples of Christ who are fully surrendered to Him and discipling others.”
Over the past decade and a half, Lifeway and B&H Publishing Group have enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the Kendrick Brothers.
“Lifeway has been honored to partner with the Kendrick Brothers on multiple projects,” said Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell. “We hope ‘The Forge’ and the accompanying resources will inspire and challenge people to get serious about both being discipled and discipling others. The resources released alongside the film extend the audience’s journey far beyond the cinematic experience—equipping them with the tools to develop deeper, lasting discipleship in their churches and beyond that will multiply year after year.”
AFFIRM Films, Provident Films and The Kendrick Brothers will release “The Forge” exclusively in theaters nationwide beginning August 23. For more information about the movie, visit TheForgeMovie.com.
For more information about “The Forge” resources, visit Lifeway.com/theforge.
For interviews, contact: Nicole Crumbley, nicole@epic.inc, 770-286-1144.
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In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.
B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church, and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.com.
AFFIRM Films, launched in 2007, is an industry leader in faith-based/inspirational films with worldwide box office of over $660 million including such hits as SOUL SURFER, WAR ROOM, RISEN, FIREPROOF, THE STAR, COURAGEOUS, PAUL: APOSTLE OF CHRIST, OVERCOMER, WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL, SHOW ME THE FATHER and HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, and A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD in partnership with TriStar Pictures and BIG GEORGE FOREMAN in partnership with Columbia Pictures. AFFIRM Films latest theatrical release, JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM is a unique and epic Christmas musical that released in theaters nationwide for Christmas 2024. AFFIRM produces, acquires, and markets content that inspires, uplifts, and entertains audiences around the world focusing on family and faith through its three divisions, AFFIRM Films, AFFIRM Television, and AFFIRM Originals. Sony Pictures Entertainment is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. Register to get all the latest news from AFFIRM Films at www.affirmfilmsupdates.com and follow AFFIRM Films on social media at @AFFIRMFilms.
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.
Provident Films creates entertainment to inspire faith and family audiences. Since 2006, the company has led the industry with hits such as Kendrick Brothers’ OVERCOMER, WAR ROOM, COURAGEOUS, FIREPROOF, FACING THE GIANTS, and the Erwin Brothers’ WOODLAWN and MOMS’ NIGHT OUT. Most recently, Provident Films released FAMILY CAMP with Roadside Attractions and BLUE MIRACLE in partnership with Netflix. Provident Films is part of the Nashville-based Provident Entertainment, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. For more information, visit ProvidentFilms.org.
Kendrick Brothers Productions is the company of brothers Alex, Stephen and Shannon Kendrick that exists to honor God and share the truth and love of Jesus Christ through movies, books, curriculum and speaking. By blending engaging stories with doctrinal integrity, the Kendricks seek to encourage and inspire audiences with resources that positively impact their lives and strengthen their faith, families, and personal relationships.