Historian Makes the Case for Movies About ‘Authentic Voices of Faith’

By Gavin Boyle

Evangelical historian and author Arlin Miglazzo shared why he believes stories of faith are so important and how Movieguide® helps bring these stories the recognition they deserve.

“I think it’s really significant today that we need to hear those authentic voices of faith, and I think that’s what we see with the Movieguide® Awards,” Miglazzo told Movieguide®.

The historian lived this belief out by working closely with the creators of MEARS: HOW ONE WOMAN CHANGED CHRISTIANITY. The documentary tells the incredible story of Henrietta Mears, a woman who shaped the modern American church while also creating the space for some of the largest evangelicals to find success, including Billy Graham. A portion of Movieguide®’s review of MEARS reads:

MEARS: HOW ONE WOMAN CHANGED CHRISTIANITY tells the fascinating story of how a special instrument of God, Henrietta Mears, changed the landscape of Hollywood and the whole world with her simple but unshakeable faith and trust in Jesus. The documentary will inspire Christians to “trust God more,” even in times of heartbreaking devastation and tragedy. The movie extols the life-saving, joyful, creative, and innovative nature of true Christian faith.

MEARS was nominated at this year’s Movieguide® awards for the Aletheia Prize for the Best Documentary. The movie joins the list of documentaries and movies that have come out in recent years to shine a light on incredible Christians whose stories have largely gone untold but are extremely inspiring. Another woman who falls into this category is Mother Cabrini.

Mother Cabrini was an immigration activist who helped Italian immigrants find their footing in America and provided for them before they were able to regularly find food and housing on their own. She was even the first American to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Her story was told in 2024 through the movie CABRINI.

“I hadn’t known anything about her. I was shocked, because she had such a strong impact in this country, and in the world,” director Alejandro Monteverde told Deadline. “I referred to her as the Forgotten Saint, because I’m Catholic, and even as a Catholic, I didn’t know about her.”

“So, in many ways it was kind of refreshing, because when I read about her life, what I heard was the ultimate underdog story. She was a warrior. She was a woman who came to this country as an immigrant herself at a time when women were completely voiceless,” he continued. “She defied all these institutions that were run by men.”

It is amazing to see moviemakers bring these kinds of stories to audiences around the nation. Those who want to know if MEARS won the Aletheia Prize can find out when the Movieguide® Awards air on Great American Family on March 5.

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