Movie Review: Machine Gun Preacher

Photo from http://www.heyuguys.co.uk

Release Date: November 2, 2011
Based on: Another Man’s War by Sam Childers

Truth be told, I rented this movie from Redbox because I had a free rental code and it seemed interesting. I had seen a preview for it on another video and thought “that’s probably pretty cool.” I knew it was about a man who used his rough street-knowledge to help orphans in war-torn Sudan, and that it was based on a true story.

I was completely unprepared for the impact this movie would have on me. I expected some awesome special effects and a few tender moments with little orphan children. What I found was a graphic, revealing, emotional-roller coaster that touched my heart, moved my spirit, and make me think about grace, determination, family, and faith.

The film opens with scenes of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army, headed by Joseph Kony) attacking a village. The next scene shows main character Sam Childers (played by Gerard Butler), being released from prison. He returns home to his wife Lyn and daughter Paige (played by Michelle Monaghen and Madeline Caroll), where he learns that Lyn is no longer working as a stripper or using drugs, but has become a Christian and attending church. He is angered and storms out, where he meets up with his buddy Donnie (Michael Shannon), and gets high. These scenes are disturbing and very realistic, with the images and language very rough and not for the weak-hearted or easily offended.

Eventually Sam also decides to follow Jesus and is baptized, and begins to turn his life around. His redemption is evident in how he lives after his baptism. He starts a construction company, moves his family into a nice, home, and becomes active in his church. His life is changed completely during a mission trip to Africa and he is stricken with the plight of Sudanese orphans and village children. He makes it his mission to help them and uses his knowledge of weapons, fighting, and secrecy from his past life as a drug-dealing biker, combined with his construction skills, compassion, and newfound faith to change the dire circumstances of the children he has grown to love. He joins the SPLA (Sudan People”s Liberatian Army), and becomes known as the “Machine Gun Preacher.” The film follows Sam’s story as he struggles to balance his faith, his passion, his actions, and his family.

This movie is definitely not the faith-based film we would associate with companies such as  Sherwood Pictures, Fox Faith, or Cloud Nine, and is wrought with scenes that are bloody, angry, and frightening. We see women beaten, drug use, children dying, and armed conflict. We can easily empathize with Sam in his struggles both before and after his conversion to Christianity because it is spelled out in its gritty, realistic glory right in front of us. The language is rough, profane in many instances, and is not “reigned in” for the sake of politeness. The “R” rating by the MPAA is well-deserved and children should NOT watch this film.

That being said, I am very glad I did watch it, and would recommend it to others with little to no hesitation. I was moved by Butler’s performance as Sam Childers; he is real, raw, and incredibly believable. I was equally taken with Michelle Monaghen’s performance as Sam’s supportive and strong wife and Michael Shannon’s portrayal as the loveable, somewhat goofy, but deeply troubled Donnie. The cinematography is exceptional, with tidbits of real artifacts from Sam Childers’ life embedded within. The grace that is found within salvation and how it changes even the “worst of the worst” is the foundation of a story full of chaos, anger, hopelessness, and tragedy. To say this is a well-made film is a gross understatement.

For more information about the LRA, SPLA, Sam Childers, and organizations working to change the fate of African children terrorized by war and enslavement, please visit the links below.

IMDB entry for Machine Gun Preacher

Official Kony 2012 Site by Invisible Children

LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) - Wikipedia

SPLA (Sudan People's Liberatian Army) - Wikipedia

Sam Childers - Wikipedia  Facebook page  Twitter  Official Site

Another Man's War - Amazon

Invisible Children Inc.  Facebook page

Please comment below and let us know if you've seen the movie (or after you have). What are your thoughts on it?

Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF. She was not compensated in any way for review of this movie. The Redbox free rental code was given as part of an anniversary promotion and not in exchange for review of the film. As always, her opinions are her own.

Catalyst Dallas 2012 Retrospective Day 3: Main Event 2

The last day of Catalyst Dallas was a bittersweet time. On one hand, you know that the speakers, the entertainment, and the worship will be as awesome (or more so) tha the previous two days (one day if you don't attend the Labs), but still, it's coming to an end and trust me, you don't want it to.  There's fun and games, and the emcees Trip Crosby and Tyler Stanton are hilarious. Once again, each speaker brings their "A-Game," and blesses the socks off the attendees. 

"In the gap between what is and what could be, there is an intercessor." - Nancy Duarte. Nancy is a consultant, founder, and CEO at Duarte, which offers presentation and design for churches, companies, and non-profits. She spoke on the common lack of presentation power among pastors and speakers in church. While much of her presentation was instructive with awesome graphics illustrating famous speeches, there was a passion for the spoken word and intense desire to help us learn to present the Gospel in a rich, compelling way. She pointed out that we can do anything, show anything, and accomplish dreams of reaching others when we give up our tired ruts, trust God, and allow ourselves to be dynamic.


Video 1: Family Dynamics

"Fear makes us posers. You are the kid of a King, and you gotta live like that!" - Bob Goff. If being around Bob Goff, the author of Love Does, for about 5 seconds doesn't get you excited and hyped-up, then you need to check your pulse. This man is clearly on FIRE for Jesus. His words nearly burst from the passion and zeal contained within them. He has a heart for Uganda and its people, and his organization has been the instrument of great and mighty change for the innocent there. He also has a heart for inspiring others to boldly...no, BOLDLY!! go forth in faith and follow the call of Jesus to love those around us, whether in your backyard or beyond an ocean. He spoke of how we hide in our comfort zones, safely integrating into our surroundings and changing NOTHING. Hearing him speak made me consider just how much I've been loving my fellow man and consider what I could do to pass that love on to others.

Video 2: Compassion International

"Engage before judging..." - Pastor Rudy Rasmus.The pastor of St. John's (Methodist) Downtown Church in Houston, this somewhat soft-spoken man with a beaded beard and grandfatherly air brings wisdom, depth, and love wherever he goes . He spoke honestly and openly about his troubled past and healing. He was emphatic that "being present" was acting in love first, and not in accordance to our preconceived ideas about people based on what we see. His words struck may of us, even if we had thought we were non-judgmental before. I personally would love to visit his church and see the great work they do with the homeless in downtown Houston, Texas.

Video 3: FaithVillage.com

"God's not bothered by your big request, He's bothered by your small faith" - Perry Noble. Southern as they come, Perry Noble spoke with power and presence. He talked of being bold, that in our bold presence we can do great things. He reminded us that we have a God with us more powerful than the world in which we live and that we have the ability to affect change. He also spoke of our frustrations when things aren't what we expect--"We don't follow [Christ] for what He gives us, but for who He is." Who is He? The sovereign One who created it all and gives us the strength to bring change to others. 


Video 4: Hello Somebody

"The grass is always greener where it's watered!!!! - Judah Smith. An intensely powerful speaker, Judah Smith shared an unusual and compelling message--GO HOME! Intertwined with jokes about bacon, parenting, and shouting "Amen!" in church, he brought a message that was unexpected after a series of speakers that spoke of global influence and traveling to help those around the world; while there are those who are called to do these things,, for majority of us, our ministry is right at home. Our hometowns, our families, and our friends. He points out that many Christians would more eagerly go across the oceans to minister to strangers than have coffee with an atheist family member. He reminded us that not everyone is called to travel the world and instead of being envious of those who pastor megachurches in big cities or build orphanages in Africa, we should look in our sphere of influence and "water our own grass"--bring that passion and desire to those in our neighborhoods and communities. This was especially impacting for me because I spent my teenage life planning and plotting to escape the small-town part of Texas I grew up in. I even did escape for awhile, living in Austin, texas, with a comfy city job and a duplex in a fun neighborhood, only to find myself right back here, somewhat kicking and screaming inside. I see how God places us where He wants us, and instead of pining over what we wanted, we need to love what we have and minister to those right in front of our noses.

Video 5: Amazima

And so, Catalyst Dallas 2012 ended with people empassioned, excited, and carryig a LOT home to mull and pray over. I pray that the nuggets I shared here bless you as much as they blessed me.


Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF.