By Mallory Mattingly
Documentary composer Ed Smart wants audiences to understand the importance of storytelling, especially about people who paved the way for Christianity.
He recently composed the music for the Henrietta Mears documentary, MEARS: HOW ONE WOMAN CHANGED AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY.
“I think it’s essential that we have these stories to remember, especially in the case of our film, it was a woman who’s basically almost forgotten now but who had a tremendous impact on American Christianity, especially in the in the mid 20th century. It’s important to know her story,” Smart told Movieguide® while on the red carpet at the Movieguide® Awards Gala earlier this month.
Related: MEARS: HOW ONE WOMAN CHANGED CHRISTIANITY
When it came to composing the music in the documentary, Smart revealed that it could be a “challenge,” but when you find people with the same mindset, “ideals” and who are “committed to telling the stories,” things are much easier.
“With God’s help, Henrietta Mears ignited a movement that transformed modern Christianity. She mentored Billy Graham, inspired Campus Crusade (Cru), launched 450+ ministry leaders, and authored ‘What the Bible Is All About.’ Through Forest Home and Gospel Light, her bold faith shaped generations-and her legacy still echoes around the world,” a synopsis of the documentary reads.
Moveiguide® also provided a review for the film, which reads:
MEARS: HOW ONE WOMAN CHANGED CHRISTIANITY is an inspiring documentary on SalemNOW about Henrietta Mears and how her faith and calling led to one of the greatest movements in Christianity of all time. The “mother of modern Evangelicalism” simplified the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. By doing this, she helped countless Christians learn how to apply the message of salvation to their everyday lives and thereby made Jesus Christ’s message appealing to modern society. Mears helped start Campus Crusade for Christ with Bill Bright and helped bring the Rev. Bill Graham to people’s attention. She also founded Gospel Light Press and wrote the best-selling book WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT.
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: HOW ONE WOMAN CHANGED AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY is up for Movieguide®’s Aletheia: Best Documentary Prize award. To find out if it wins, tune into the Movieguide® Awards on Great American Family on March 5.
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