Review: God's Club - Important Christian movie about religious liberty

Another review of my movie, "God's Club," which is coming out in DVD March 1.

Important Christian movie about religious liberty

In God’s Club, public high-school teacher Michael Evens restarts a Bible study originally founded by his late wife. Soon after restarting the study, known as “God’s Club”, several parents get upset and threaten to end Evens’ club and even his career if he continues to teach kids about the Bible. Citing separation of church and state, these parents believe that it is not allowed for religion to be taught anywhere on school property or for school resources to be used to further a religious message. Word spreads about this argument and the whole Vermont city gets thrown into a total uproar.

With many parents fighting for the group to be disbanded, and the group doing their best to remain strong in the midst of these attacks, the pressure continues to grow as Michael must make a difficult choice – does he stand up for what he believes in or does he sit down and stay quiet? While Michael is encouraged by his daughter and other students in the club to continue fighting, Michael also understands that if he does stand up and fight back, it could be the end of his relationships, his job, and even his faith. With everything on the line, Michael must make the tough choices and fight back.

Separation of Church and State
Similar in style to films like God’s Not Dead and God’s Not Dead 2 that feature Christians being refused from preaching, teaching, or even holding different beliefs, God’s Club tells an inspired story about Christians not being able to hold a study on school property. Based on real-life incidents and cases, this film attempts to show a way to argue a case for why it is okay to hold a Bible study on school property. Watch as Michael Evens presents a case and tries to convince the opposing teachers and parents that nowhere in our laws does it specifically prohibit religious teaching on a school campus.

One of the terms that detractors like to use is the argument for Separation of Church and State. They say that this makes a solid case that you can’t participate in religious activities anywhere that is government property or has anything to do with a federal or state level of government. What some people don’t always understand was that Separation of Church and State was created as a way of protecting religious properties from the government. It was created so that the churches could never be controlled by the government, and not to keep religious away from government property at all times.

This has been a popular theme to pop up in Christian movies as of late, and it’s fascinating to see different takes on the issue and be able to have some evidence and a case to present to people that try to erroneously argue the Separation of Church and State issue. God’s Club presents some interesting debate issues and delivers a well-thought out and enjoyable case to study. This Christian movie presents hard evidence and will help inspire you to stand up for what you believe in.

Forming God’s Club
In God’s Club, after the passing of his wife, Michael Evens realizes that one of the things that always inspired his wife was the Bible study she formed, known as God’s Club. Through this group she was able to teach kids about the Bible and they would learn how to study it for themselves. Michael Evens soon decides to restart this club, with the help of his daughter. And so, partly because of the memory of his wife and partly to help reach new kids with the message of Jesus, Michael and his daughter reform God’s Club.

The club gets off to a great start and very soon they are teaching kids at the local high school and telling them about Jesus. Using one of the classrooms, God’s Club seems to be a big and exciting opportunity for the Evens to reach new people and evangelize their faith. However, shortly after re-launching God’s Club, some parents from the school begin to find out what is happening on school property. After learning that a public high school classroom is being used to evangelize and teach about the Bible, they quickly call a meeting and tell Michael Evens to put a stop to it. Because of Separation of Church and State, they figure that there is no place for a Bible study on school property.

Defending God’s Club
This is the part in the film, where Michael has to make an incredibly difficult choice. He can take the easy way out, back down now, and continue on in his teaching job. Or he can do what he feels God calling him to do – To stand up for what he believes in and fight back, defending not only God’s Club, but God Himself. After conferring with his daughter and other members of the club, Michael chooses to do the hard thing and stand up for what he believes in. He knows he can’t simply stand by and be a nominal believer. If he truly believes in the word of God, he needs to do the right thing and stand up.

Michael returns to the school board and to the parents with his new-found commitment to be resolute in his faith and to never back down. Presenting evidence against the flawed case of Separation of State, Michael does what he can and then hopes for God to do the rest. In this incredible battle over religious rights and freedom, join Michael, his daughter, and a small group of kids as they together try to understand the concept of Separation of Church and State and explore what it means and how it relates to today.

Conclusion
If you enjoy movies about standing up for what you believe in, or have enjoyed similar films in the past like the God’s Not Dead movies, this film is right up your alley. Starring Stephen Baldwin, Corbin Bernsen, and Lorenzo Lama, God’s Club is a powerful and inspiring film that gives a strong case for faith.

Dove Foundation Review of Faith-based Film, "God's Club"

The Dove Foundation Review of God's Club:

“God’s Club” is a powerful film that speaks volumes in an hour and a half! Stephen Baldwin is superb as Michael Evens, a teacher who loses his Christian wife and decides to follow God and honor Him with a bold stand. Fellow parents at Evens’ daughter’s high school do not believe the Bible Club Evens wants to start deserves a place alongside the other clubs, so they confront him. He calmly assures them it is a volunteer club and is designed only for those who wish to participate. One of the fathers, played by Lorenzo Lamas, is strongly opposed to Evens and makes his life difficult.

Despite the opposition to the club, Evens and his daughter begin to see signs of hope, as the seeds they are planting begin to slowly grow. Evens endures vandalism in his classroom, and a fire is actually started outside his home, but he and his daughter persevere to defend their right to believe the Bible. Corbin Bernsen plays Max Graves, a member of the school board and supporter of Evens. Interestingly, the son of the man who opposes Evens the most takes a liking to his daughter and has questions about God.

The movie features a good story, solid acting, and the message that, even though it is not popular with everyone, the Bible should be allowed to guide the lives of those who wish to follow it. This film also features the theme of forgiveness. We are pleased to award “God’s Club” our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages 12-plus. This family-friendly movie has also earned our best rating, five Doves.

Movie Review: ‘God’s Club’ Delivers A Powerful Message

A flawless interplay between faith, religion, relationships, emotions, forgiveness and hatred, ‘God’s Club’ is an amazing movie for the modern times. Set against the backdrop of young minds and their stand on religion in a secular state, the movie delivers a powerful message for its viewers. To be released on DVD and Digital HD from 1st March 2016, this Studio City Pictures production has touched a relevant topic for the generation of today. With excellent acting and gripping storyline, the movie has influential message for all its viewers. Though religion is the dominant theme, Director Jared Cohn and writer John Chadwell have ensured perfect depiction of emotions that can relate to individuals of any religion, caste, culture and nationality. By portraying a strong bond of attachment between daughter and father, the movie takes one closer to the magic of this relationship.

Revolving around the life of Michael Evens (Stephen Baldwin), the movie depicts his role as a teacher in a public high school. While his wife Christine Evens (Alison MacInnis), hopes to start a Bible club in the school, strong opposition by other parents on the grounds of religion, secularism, freedom and law bring difficult challenges on the way. Though Michael realizes their point of view and choses to convince her out of this unachievable task, unfortunate circumstances pull him towards the same club. After tragic death of his wife, as Michael refuses to resume his normal routine, words of encouragement from his daughter Rebecca (Bridget Albaugh) motivate him back towards the joy of living. With excellent shades of acting, Bridget Albaugh has done absolute justice to the role. The maturity portrayed by her character as a high school student is a wonderful aspect to look forward to.

Inspiring Michael to fulfil the dream of his wife, as Rebecca prepares her father for the start of this ‘God’s club’, transformation in Michael’s attitude and positivity in his defeated conduct highlight the reverse transfer of motivation from a daughter to father. Though Michael begins the club in the memory of his beloved wife, firm opposition by other parents, lack of interest among the participating students and fading support by the school management depict the troublesome course of his journey.

While dealing with the unshakeable attitude of separation between state and church, as Michael faces false accusation of brainwashing from parents Spencer Rivers (Lorenzo Lamas) and Littlefield (Rico Simonini) – his faith, motives, intentions and desires are subjected to intense opposition. Giving way to several fights, as Michael and his daughter experience anger, hatred, confusion and misunderstanding, the movie deals with a sensitive topic in a novel way. Though acts of vandalism, destruction, damage and revenge disturb their lives on several occasions, Rebecca’s strong faith and Michael’s shakable trust form excellent backdrop of the movie.

Interesting religious questions by enthusiastic young minds and Michael’s attempts to blend his teaching style for the interest of the club’s participants represent wonderful moments of the movie. With elements of her mother’s teachings and faith in the power of God, as Rebecca hopes to change the defeated attitude of her friend Victor Rivers (Nic Luken), the story adopts an interesting course. Hatred from fellow students that is born out of jealously, revenge and complicated angles of love add unusual twists to the tale.

Torn between his daughter’s safety, wife’s memories, fellow parents’ opposition and management’s interrogation, as Michael walks ahead on the path full of troubles, ‘God’s club’ highlights the power of ‘forgiveness’. While dealing with these challenges, consistent support of his daughter and strong trust in their relation steal the magic of this show.

Will Michael Evens fulfill the dream of his wife?
Will the ‘God’s club’ succeed in its work and experience enthusiastic participation?
Can Rebecca’s faith and trust in God change the attitude of her fellow class mates?

While these questions get their answers along its course, ‘God’s club’ is a wonderful movie in today’s world. Watch this movie for its talented cast, powerful message, firm bonds of relation and deep impact, after all God’s club is open for all!

Lavanya

A freelance writer with love for movies, Lavanya contributes articles about entertainment, lifestyle, relationships, women, environment and food. Blogging about her experiences, adventures, memories and thoughts,she likes to stay connected with her readers. While enjoying movies and series based on comedy, family drama and social significance, Lavanya loves the opportunity to pen down her reviews for the audience.