As we’ve explored in the past in this blog, any great movement is nourished and sustained by well-crafted art.  For centuries, the very best art in the western world was inspired and infused by Christian faith.  Sadly, compelling art and committed faith seem to have parted ways somewhere along the line.  In recent decades, much of what passed for “Christian art” was really neither.   From music and literature to film and painting, it often came across as simplistic at best.  Frequently, it was was little more than an unimpressive attempt to imitate the wider culture, just without the sex and violence.

Thankfully, that is beginning to change.  I’m particularly excited that many individuals passionate for adoption and other forms of orphan care increasingly desire to express that passion via quality art.  This ranges from the music of songwriters like Sara Groves to the novels of Tom Davis.  Of special importance, too, is the dominant medium of our day:  television and movies.   As we all know, a story well-told via film can leave a deep, even life-shaping impression on us.  Some great upcoming examples include:

Alliance member “Discover the Journey” created a tremendous documentary on the work of Christians with orphans in Haiti, shown on CNN.  They also recently teamed with the Alliance to create the 3-minute Video for Orphan Sunday 2011 (HERE).

Director Sean Womack and Roebuck Media are planning a feature film based on true stories from Alliance member Royal Family Kids Camps.  It will convey the reality faced by the abused and abandoned foster youth the camps serve, with hopes of inspiring viewers to get personally involved with all manner of orphan care.  (Learn more HERE.)

This fall, a well-crafted film I recently previewed titled October Baby will be released nationwide.  Alongside technically excellent cinematography, the compelling storyline explores deep issues related to adoption, abortion and family in the moving and authentic manner that always marks great art.

The documentary team at Unthinkable is now filming a documentary titled Faultless that will explore both the plight of children in the U.S. foster system…and the rising Christian response.  We hope to premier the film at Summit VIII next May.

Each of these, and many other works besides, reflect a resurgence of quality art that is both inspired by faith and inspiring to it.  I believe they will each play a vital role in fueling vision and passion for “the cause of the fatherless.”