By Julia Rose
More people identify as Christian than any other religion in the world. But there’s a catch: Christianity is also the most divided, fractured into East and West, and Catholics and Protestants.
A thought-provoking new documentary, “That They May Be One,” wonders what would happen if unity was restored.
Produced by Flourish Your Faith Films and 4PM Media and directed by Dan Johnson (known for “Sign of Contradiction,” his documentary about St. Francis of Assisi), “That They May Be One” will be shown exclusively in theaters May 19 and 20, in anticipation of Pentecost Sunday, May 24.
"Crazy about Jesus"
Executive Producer Adriana Gonzalez opens the documentary by recalling a Christian prayer service she attended as a little girl.
“The Holy Spirit was so alive there that it was drawing people from all denominations,” she says. “I experienced a people that were just crazy about Jesus, where the Holy Spirit moved and worked, where there was unity in the Body of Christ.”
This sets the stage for a series of vivid reenactments. Whether it’s Adriana sitting with her mother at their first prayer meeting, Bl. Elena Guerra writing a letter to Pope Leo XIII, or Pentecostal minister William J. Seymour singing with his congregation, viewers feel connected, seeing their Christian brothers and sisters witnessing their love of God. Most striking is the depiction of Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit (shown above).
Wisdom on reconciliation is sprinkled throughout by key thought leaders from various denominations, including Catholic professor, Dr. Mary Healy; Pentecostal historian, Dr. Cecil Mel Robeck; and Evangelical preacher, Francis Chan, of Crazy Love Ministries.
Pursuing the mission
“There have been times where I have seen men and women filled with the spirit of God," Chan says, "living so much like Jesus and loving Him so deeply, that I know that this is my family and I can’t just walk away from them, but I’m actually commanded to love them just as Christ loved me.”
“What happened to the Apostles in Pentecost needs to happen to Christians,” adds Catholic priest, Fr. Mathias Thelen, of Encounter Ministries. “To be Christian is to be ‘Pentecostal.’ To be Christian is to be filled with the very life of God because without the life of God, we cannot pursue holiness, and we cannot pursue the mission He has for us.”
To which all Christians can proclaim, together, a resounding “Amen!”
For learn more and ticket information, visit ThatTheyMayBeOneFilm.com.
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