How Forgiveness Healed Bart Millard’s Relationship With His Mother Before Her Death
By Movieguide® Staff
Bart Millard credits forgiveness for healing his relationship with his mother, Adele, who died earlier this month.
“My sweet mom went to be with Jesus this morning around 5:30am,” he wrote on Instagram in early July. “Thankful my brother and I were with her.
“Even more thankful she’s now with so many that have been cheering her on from Heaven,” the singer added. “She’s now a bigger part of my future than of my past. I love you mom.”
Adele left Millard with his abusive father when Millard was a child, and much of the story is chronicled in the movie I CAN ONLY IMAGINE.
The movie tackles the harsh reality of Bart’s childhood, including the verbal and physical abuse he experienced at the hands of his father.
Bart later wrote a book that fleshed out some details that were not present in the movie.
“My mom is a very huge part of my life now and when I was watching the movie I was really scared because I didn’t really realize how much of a victim she really was. She feared for her life and she had to get out,” he told the Christian Post in a previous interview.
“I was nervous. I thought, ‘This is gonna kill my mom when she sees this.’ It was hard to let go and actually let the story play out,” Millard explained. “She just kept saying, ‘Yeah, that’s how it happened, that’s right.’ She actually loved the movie. She told me, ‘I’m heartbroken that I wasn’t a bigger part of it, but that’s what happened. I was so scared for my life and I’m so glad that we have each other now.'”
A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE is the story behind the most-played Christian contemporary song, “I Can Only Imagine” by the band MercyMe. Since he was a young boy, Bart Millard’s father, Arthur, was emotionally and physically abusive. When Bart isn’t able to fulfill his own father’s dream of being a football star, Bart enters the world of music. Eventually Bart becomes so fed up with his father, he leaves for good and joins a band. The band struggles to find success. Bart realizes he needs to return home and somehow find resolution with his father, who’s dying. What Bart doesn’t know is that his father has found Jesus.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE is a powerful, heart-rending story of redemption and reconciliation found in Jesus Christ. Dennis Quaid is terrific as Bart’s father. Bart Millard described his father as a monster and someone he hated, but who transformed into a man and who became his best friend and a role model. Void of objectionable content, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE warrants only a light caution for younger children because of tastefully executed abusive violence.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
