New DVD series looks at Jesus the Game Changer

New DVD series looks at Jesus the Game Changer

How the life and teachings of Jesus changed the world and why it matters

By Martin Johnson, Special to ASSIST News Service

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (ANS -- July 15, 2016) -- Olive Tree Media released their new 10 part DVD series, "JESUS THE GAME CHANGER" at a recent event held at the International Screen Academy in Sydney, Australia.

“We wanted to do two things with Jesus the Game Changer,” said series host and executive producer Karl Faase.

“Firstly we wanted to tell the story of Jesus from the New Testament account and secondly, look at how Jesus changed people’s lives. From the Apostle Paul through to William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and right up to today with Christine Caine and her founding of the anti-human trafficking organisation -- The A21 Campaign. Throughout history, Jesus has changed people’s lives in remarkable ways and in turn they have gone on to change the world,” said Karl.

Jesus the Game Changer features interviews with a ‘Who’s Who from the evangelical Christian world, including John Ortberg, Senior Pastor at Menlo Church, San Francisco; Eric Metaxas, radio host and bestselling author of Bonhoeffer, Miracles, and Amazing Grace; Miroslav Volf, the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School; Mary Jo Sharp, Author & Professor, Houston; and Vishal Mangalwadi, an Indian philosopher, social reformer, and founder of the BOMI/Revelation Movement.

Speaking at the launch, Karl said, “In many western nations Christian faith has moved from being viewed as irrelevant to being considered dangerous.

“What many people in western democracies don’t understand is that the values their nations are built on found their origins in the life and teaching of Jesus,” he said.

“These values were not taught by Greek philosophers nor invented in the enlightenment period of the 17th and 18th centuries. These values are a direct result of the life and teaching of Jesus,” Karl added.

Jesus the Game Changer follows on from Olive Tree Media’s first video series, ‘Towards Belief’, released in 2013. This first series looked at the ‘10 belief blockers to Christian faith’ and interviewed leading Christian apologists and theologians around the world.

Towards Belief won 2nd place in NRB’s Best Creative Television Programming 2015, 2nd place in NRB’s Best Television Teaching Program 2015, ICVM 2014 Gold Crown Award for Best Curriculum, Pilgrim Prize 2014 and the CMA/SPARC Best TV Series/Documentary 2014.

The series has been distributed and broadcast in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and USA. It has been used in Asia by RZIM to train church leaders.

“There are two main outcomes that I pray will come from Jesus the Game Changer. Firstly, that it will give Christians confidence. Many followers of Jesus have been badgered into fearful silence, they are sure of their own faith but lack the resources to share their faith with anyone else. This series will help build their confidence,” said Karl.

“Secondly, there are many people who whilst are not angry or dismissive of Christian faith, are looking for material to help in their search,” he said.

Like Towards Belief, this new series will be shown globally on Christian cable television. Churches and small groups can use this material for small group discussion. It is also available for digital download from the web site.

Jesus the Game Changer has its own Smartphone app which provides the discussion guides and guest bios for use in small groups and by individuals. (Search for ‘Jesus the Game Changer’)

The series is expected to be used by Christian schools, helping older secondary students consider the claims of Christian faith. With world renowned writers and researchers, Olive Tree Media believe this is an excellent tool for use in the educational environment.

Each of the ten episodes of Jesus the Game Changer runs for 28 minutes. The series is available on a two DVD pack with study guide from Olive Tree Media.

www.jesusthegamechanger.com 

Photo captions: 1) Karl Faase, Jane Faase and Simon Hunter at the DVD Launch. (Photo: Martin Johnson). 2) Logo. 3) Martin Johnson.

About the writer: Martin Johnson runs his own Communications business in Sydney, Australia, producing video and the occasional news story for ANS. He has worked in Christian media for over 30 years and can be contacted by e-mail at: martin@martinjohnson.com.au . His website is: http://www.martinjohnsoncommunications.com.au/.

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