By Carrie Brown McWhorter
The Alabama Baptist
The story of the movie “Woodlawn” centers on revival in racially divided Birmingham in the early 1970s, but the movie is inspiring a revival of its own as audiences respond to the powerful spiritual message of the film.
The film’s focus on faith and football has made it a natural outreach tool for churches and youth ministries. Across the nation hundreds of decisions for Christ have been reported, including many in Alabama.
“This movie is having a wonderful impact on many young men and women,” said Pat Ray, business administrator at Huffman Baptist Church, Birmingham, in Birmingham Baptist Association.
Impact on students
On Oct. 19, Huffman Baptist hosted the varsity and junior varsity football teams, coaches and support staff of Huffman High School in Birmingham at a private viewing of the film. At the conclusion of the film Huffman Baptist Pastor Steven Weems shared the plan of salvation with the group. Twenty-seven young men stepped forward, Ray said. The following Sunday, Oct. 25, six players from the group were baptized.
In Guntersville more than 50 student athletes made first-time decisions for Christ and another 40 rededicated their lives after a viewing sponsored by several churches and businesses in the area.
Organizer and event sponsor Mark Brickey called the event an “amazing night.” Brickey, general manager and president of Sand Mountain Toyota in Albertville, also helped sponsor a film viewing in Etowah County. Organizers there rented three theaters in Gadsden and hosted athletes from Etowah County schools, Gadsden City schools and Westbrook Christian School in Rainbow City. Brickey said more than 1,000 students attended the event, and more than 300 made first-time professions of faith. Another 400 rededicated their lives.
Event organizer Jeannie Brickey wrote in a Facebook post, “God is changing hearts, schools and communities through this true story.”
Churches and ministries across the nation have reported similar stories, many of which have been posted on The Erwin Brothers’ Prayer Team, the Facebook site of the movie’s directors, Andrew and Jon Erwin.
In Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, 30 students committed to Christ at an event. In Greer, South Carolina, 21 high school football players were saved. In Arden, North Carolina, more than 250 students made decisions for Christ. In Los Angeles, California, more than 900 decisions were reported at a showing of the movie.
In Louisville, Kentucky, more than 350 athletes and coaches attended a viewing and heard a gospel message sponsored by the Greater Louisville Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
FCA is featured in the movie, as is Billy Graham. Former Alabama Baptist Wayne Atcheson, library historian for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and author of “Impact for Christ: How FCA Has Influenced the Sports World,” said he is hearing of hundreds of decisions as well.
Atcheson said 181 students in Asheville, North Carolina, and 24 athletes in Tulsa, Oklahoma, made commitments to Christ after watching Woodlawn.
The reports confirm what those connected to the movie have said from the beginning, Atcheson said.
“Encouraging youth groups, teams, families, friends and relatives to see the movie could be life changing,” he said.
The critical reviews have been positive as well. Sports Illustrated writer Alexandra Fenwick spoke positively of the film, writing, “regardless of religious conviction, ‘Woodlawn’ shares a universal truth: Winning is sweeter when you play for a larger cause.”
Huffington Post put the film into the same category as other major sports films, including “Remember the Titans” and “Rudy.” The recognition by secular news outlets is good news for the Christian film industry. However, the message of the film is more than just evangelistic, Atcheson said.
“This movie will revive you again,” Atcheson said. “Make a point to see it.”
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