Faith and Family Flims

Aloha: What Happened to the Word?

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

You hear it all the time. Hotel signs. Tourist brochures. People saying it as they leave. Aloha. Sounds nice, does it not? Feels Hawaiian. Feels warm.

But here is what I am wondering: do we actually know what we are saying when we say it?

Most people think Aloha is just hello and goodbye. It is a nice Hawaiian greeting. Pleasant. Breezy. And yeah, it is that. But that is like saying the ocean is just water. There is so much more beneath the surface that we have stopped looking at.

Let me ask you something. What if I told you that when Hawaiians greeted each other, they did not just exchange words? They came close. They pressed their foreheads together. And in that moment, they shared breath. They shared spirit. They acknowledged something sacred passing between them.

That’s Aloha.

Aloha means the spirit of life. It’s God’s breath. It’s manna, that vital spiritual force that connects us all. When two people said Aloha to each other, they weren’t just being polite. They were saying, I see the divine in you. I honor your essence. I’m sharing this sacred moment with you.

Think about that for a second. How different is that from what we do today?

Now, the Hawaiian Islands didn’t stay frozen in time. The world came. And with it came transformation. Early eighteen hundreds, a young Hawaiian named Henry Opukahaia—you might know him as Obookiah—he got taken from these islands. But eventually, he found his way to America, and something profound happened. He converted to Christianity. More than that, he started translating the Bible into Hawaiian. He was building a dictionary, a grammar, preserving the language in written form.

He died young. Only twenty-six. Never finished the work.

But here’s the thing, his death didn’t end it. It started something. The missionaries came. Faith spread across the islands. And over time, Christianity became woven so deeply into Hawaiian culture that it’s part of who Hawaiians are today. That’s Opukahaia’s legacy. That spiritual awakening he started, it’s still there, two hundred years later.

So we’ve got this interesting moment in Hawaiian history. Sacred spiritual practices meeting Christian faith. The written word preserving the language. Culture being transformed by spiritual revival.

And then what happened?

The islands opened up. Tourism arrived. And somewhere along the way, Aloha became a product.

You can see it everywhere now. Aloha shirts. Aloha candles. Resorts blasting ukulele music while people sip Mai Tais and say “Aloha” to each other like they’re ordering room service. It became a brand. A vibe. A aesthetic you can purchase.

And I think we lost something in that translation.

The word got so commercialized, so stripped down, that it became almost meaningless. People say it without thinking. They think they’re being warm, being Hawaiian, being spiritual. But the depth is gone. The sacred part. The breath-sharing, spirit-acknowledging part. It’s become just another word.

That’s the pattern, isn’t it? Sacred things become commodified. Deep spiritual meaning becomes a marketing slogan. Words that once meant something profound get flattened into something shallow.

But here’s what I want to suggest: knowing this doesn’t have to depress you. It can actually change how you live.

Because now, when you say Aloha, when you really mean it, you can choose to bring that depth back. You can remember what the word actually carries. You can acknowledge the spirit in someone else. You can honor that connection.

Henry Opukahaia gave the Hawaiian people the tools to preserve their language. To keep their words alive. That means we can still reach back and reclaim what Aloha really means. We don’t have to accept the diluted version.

So next time you say Aloha, maybe pause for a moment. Think about what you’re actually saying. You’re not just exchanging pleasantries. You’re invoking something sacred. The spirit of life. The breath of connection. The acknowledgment that we’re bound to each other by something way bigger than ourselves.

That’s always been what the word means.

Maybe it’s time we started remembering.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

Are You a Thermometer or a Thermostat?

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

We live in a world that is constantly trying to shape us. Pressures come from every direction, culture, circumstances, relationships, uncertainty—all of it working to pull us away from who we are meant to be. The question is not whether we will face these pressures. The question is, will we simply reflect them, or will we actively resist them?

Think about a thermometer and a thermostat. A thermometer is passive. It reads the temperature around it and displays what already exists. A thermostat, on the other hand, is active. It measures the environment, yes, but then it works to change it. It sets a standard and refuses to settle for anything less. In life, we’re constantly choosing between these two modes.

Most of us drift between them without even realizing it. Some days we’re thermometers, passively absorbing whatever our surroundings throw at us. We react to stress, negativity, doubt. We let circumstances dictate our mood, our choices, our direction. But other days—the better days—we become thermostats. We make deliberate choices that shape not just ourselves but the people and spaces around us.

The ancient proverb warns us about this drifting: “All we like sheep have gone astray.” There’s something in our nature that pulls us off course. We’re not naturally inclined to stay true. And there’s a spiritual principle here that’s worth understanding. There’s a phrase about sin that captures this perfectly: it will take you further than you want to go, make you pay more than you want to pay, and make you stay longer than you want to stay. Environment shapes behavior. What we take in influences what we give out. And if we’re not vigilant, we end up somewhere we never intended to be.

For those of us who follow Christ, there’s a framework for understanding this. Romans reminds us that we’ve all sinned and fallen short. But it also tells us about God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus. The key is recognizing that staying true isn’t something we do alone. It’s something we do in constant connection with our faith, our community, our spiritual practices.

Think of a carpenter’s plumb line. It’s a simple tool, a weight on a string—but it ensures that what’s being built is perfectly vertical, perfectly true. If you’re off by just a fraction at the beginning, by the time you’ve built several stories, you’re completely crooked. The same principle applies to our lives. Small deviations compound. A slight tilt to the right or left, ignored long enough, and you’re no longer heading toward your destination.

NASA understands this principle too. When a rocket launches toward the moon, if its trajectory is even slightly off in those first moments, it will miss the mark entirely. Space is vast and unforgiving. Precision matters from the very beginning.

During the pandemic, I experienced this firsthand. Anxiety and overwhelming uncertainty crept into my mind each day. The future felt unknowable. Fear wanted to be my constant companion. But I discovered something that became my anchor: Scripture. Promises from God’s Word. When I quoted those promises—when I reminded myself of my identity in Christ, of the certainty I have as a believer, I could take my eyes off the uncertain and fix them on something immovable. That practice of recalibration, of constantly returning to truth, saved me.

And here’s the thing: it wasn’t just a daily practice. Some days it was hourly. Some moments it was minute by minute. Staying true requires vigilance. It’s like flying an airplane. You can’t fall asleep at the controls. You can’t look away from your instruments. You have to be constantly aware of where you are, who you’re with, and whether you’re still on course.

Which brings me to the maps application on your phone. You punch in a destination, and the app guides you turn by turn. But the moment you deviate, the moment you turn left when it says turn right, the app doesn’t give up on you. It simply recalculates. “Recalibrating, recalibrating, recalibrating.” It keeps adjusting until you’re back on course. Sometimes the recalibrated route takes longer. Sometimes you wonder if you’ll ever arrive. But the alternative to following those recalibrations is getting completely lost.

That’s the spiritual reality too. Daily recalibration keeps us on point toward our destination. And what is our destination? To finish the race well. To serve the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. To refuse to become a casualty to a culture that wants to destroy us spiritually. To keep our eyes fixed on heaven.

The films “The Forge,” “Soul on Fire,” and “Woodlawn” each illustrate this truth in different ways. “The Forge” shows us the power of mentorship and discipleship, being shaped by someone further along the journey. “Soul on Fire,” based on Jon O’Leary’s remarkable true story, shows us something even more profound. O’Leary survived burns covering ninety-five percent of his body as a young boy. He could have been defined by tragedy. He could have let his circumstances be his thermostat, setting the temperature of his life at despair. Instead, he chose to be a thermostat himself. He rose above the pain, transformed his suffering into purpose, and now influences countless others through his resilience and faith. And “Woodlawn” shows us what it looks like to hold true north even when the world pressures you to compromise, to abandon your convictions for comfort or acceptance.

These aren’t just inspiring stories. They’re blueprints. They show us that recalibration is possible. That staying true is possible. That becoming a thermostat instead of a thermometer is a choice we can make, again and again, as many times as we need to.

Your spiritual practices matter: prayer, scripture reading, community, confession, accountability. These aren’t optional extras. They’re your instruments. They’re how you read your bearings and stay on course. And when you feel yourself drifting, and you will, these are how you recalibrate.

The choice is yours. Will you be shaped by your surroundings, or will you shape them? Will you drift with the current, or will you stay plumb? Will you ignore the re-calibration alerts, or will you trust them and adjust course? Every single day, and sometimes every single hour, you get to answer that question anew. and that’s the thermostat life: active, intentional, and fixed on true north.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

Run Toward the Storm – What Cows and Bison Teach Us About Facing Trials

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What Cows and Bison Teach Us About Facing Trials. When a storm rolls across the plains of the Midwest, something fascinating happens. Cows and bison respond very differently.

It’s often observed that cattle, sensing the storm, turn and try to outrun it. But because storms typically move east, and cows run in the same direction, they can unintentionally prolong their exposure. They keep running… and the storm keeps chasing.

Bison, however, do the opposite. When they sense a storm coming, they turn and charge directly into it. By moving straight through the storm, they actually minimize the time spent in it. They face it head on.

Whether every meteorological detail is perfect or not, the picture is powerful — and spiritually revealing.

Because storms are inevitable.

Storms Are Not Optional in the Christian Life

Jesus never promised a storm-free life.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

Whether you are faced with Health diagnoses. Family tension. Financial strain. Temptation that won’t seem to loosen its grip. Spiritual dryness. Cultural opposition. Storms come.

The question isn’t if. The question is how we respond.

The Cow Response: Avoidance

Our natural instinct is often to run.

We avoid hard conversations.
We ignore sin patterns hoping they disappear.
We distract ourselves from grief instead of processing it.
We postpone obedience because it feels uncomfortable.

But here’s the reality: What we avoid, we extend.

James writes:

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–3

Notice it doesn’t say if you face trials. It says when.

When we try to outrun the storm, we often stay in it longer. Unaddressed sin deepens. Unresolved conflict festers. Avoided grief hardens the heart.

Running doesn’t remove the storm. It just exhausts us.

The Bison Response: Move Through It

Spiritually mature believers learn something counterintuitive:

Sometimes the fastest way through a storm… is straight into it.

That doesn’t mean recklessness. It means courage rooted in trust.

When conviction comes, we repent quickly.
When conflict arises, we pursue reconciliation.
When fear grips us, we lean into prayer.
When temptation hits, we confront it with truth.

David wrote:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” — Psalm 23:4

Notice the word: through. Not around. Not away from. Through. The valley is unavoidable — but it is not permanent.

Facing Temptation Head-On

When dealing with temptation, avoidance alone is rarely enough. We must replace lies with truth.

Paul tells us:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:11

Standing implies engagement.

Jesus Himself, when tempted in the wilderness, didn’t run. He confronted each temptation with Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11). Truth met the storm directly.

Running from temptation without renewing the mind leaves us vulnerable. But charging it with truth shortens its power over us.

Health and Family Storms

Some storms cannot be fixed — only endured.

A diagnosis. A prodigal child. A strained marriage. A ministry setback.

Charging into those storms doesn’t mean pretending they don’t hurt. It means refusing to let fear dictate our direction.

Peter reminds us:

“After you have suffered a little while, [God] will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10

Storms are not punishment. Often, they are preparation.

Why We Can Face the Storm

The bison can charge the storm because they are built for it.

The Christian can face the storm because Christ has already faced the ultimate one.

At the cross, Jesus did not run from suffering. He walked straight into it — for us.

Isaiah writes:

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth.” — Isaiah 53:7

He absorbed the storm of sin so we would never face it alone.

That changes everything. We don’t face storms with self-confidence. We face them with Christ-confidence.

A Pastoral Challenge

When the next storm forms on your horizon, ask yourself:

Am I running from this… or moving faithfully through it?

It may be a hard conversation you need to initiate.
A sin you need to confess.
A habit you need to surrender.
A counseling appointment you need to schedule.
A prayer life you need to deepen.

The storm may still be fierce. The wind may still howl.

But when we face it with God at our side, we shorten its hold over our hearts.

Because storms shape us.

And sometimes, the fastest way to peace… is straight through the wind.

Dave Almgren – Two Pastors Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

Standing Against the World: A Film for Faith, Family, and the Fight for Truth

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Faith isn’t just something we whisper about in quiet moments, it’s something worth standing up for in a culture that often questions everything we hold dear. That’s exactly the journey Standing Against the World invites us to take.

Beginning February 11, 2026, Standing Against the World will be streaming on FaithAndFamilyFlicks.com, bringing a powerful message to families, churches, ministries, and anyone wrestling with the big questions of faith and truth.

🎬 More Than a Film — It’s a Call to Courage

At its core, Standing Against the World isn’t just a documentary, it’s a faith mission on screen. Hosted by acclaimed actor and producer Kevin Sorbo and scholar Professor John Lennox, the film travels to universities and even to Israel to explore one of the biggest challenges facing believers today: how do we defend the Christian faith with both heart and reason?

The film tackles a sobering reality: many young adults today are turning away from biblical truth, citing evolution and skepticism as reasons to doubt the reliability of Scripture. This film doesn’t shy away from that conversation, it confronts it head-on.

In exploring the evidence for faith, from science to history, Kevin and Professor Lennox dig into real questions people are asking, inviting viewers into a journey of discovery, not just belief.

🎤 Insights from My Interview with Kevin Sorbo

When we sat down with Kevin for Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast, what stood out most wasn’t just his Hollywood background, it was his heart for people, especially younger generations.

Kevin shared how important it is not just to know what you believe, but to understand why you believe and to be equipped to share that with others. He spoke passionately about courage, conviction, and the need for Christians to engage thoughtfully with culture rather than retreat from it.

He talked about how meaningful it has been to work on projects that change lives, not just entertain. For Kevin, films like Standing Against the World are a way of carrying hope into spaces where people are wrestling with doubt, confusion, or simply curiosity.

🌍 Why This Film Matters Today

In an era where faith is often marginalized or misunderstood, Standing Against the World stands as a reminder that belief is neither blind nor outdated, it’s thoughtful, rooted in evidence, and deeply relevant.

This isn’t a film only for theologians or scholars. It’s a resource for:

  • Parents wanting to talk with their kids about faith
  • Church groups exploring apologetics
  • Friends curious about the relationship between science and Scripture
  • Anyone searching for meaning in a complex world

And because it’s now available on FaithAndFamilyFlicks.com starting February 11, you can watch it wherever your family gathers, whether that’s the living room, small group night, or youth group discussion.

📌 Stream It With Purpose

Films have the power to open hearts and spark conversation, but Standing Against the World goes beyond entertainment. It’s a tool, a conversation starter, and an invitation to explore faith with confidence.

We hope you’ll watch it, discuss it, and use it to help equip your family and community with the courage to stand firm, even when the world pushes back.

📅 Starts Streaming on https://faithandfamilyflicks.com/ — February 11, 2026

Dave Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

When Love Costs Something

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

Sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones told without words.

Forevergreen is a remarkable animated short film — brought to life by over 200 artists who donated their time and talent over five years — that tells its entire story without dialogue. It’s a visual and emotional journey about an orphaned bear cub who finds a home with a fatherly evergreen tree, only to be drawn away by temptation and danger before ultimately facing the choice of whether to return.

The film has captivated audiences at festivals around the world and is even nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Animated Short Film, a testament to its depth, artistry, and emotional resonance.

But beneath the handcrafted beauty and heart-tugging narrative lies something even more profound — a reflection of the mystery and cost of true love.

From Screen to Heart: Seeing Real Love in a Story

At first glance, Forevergreen may seem like a simple tale of friendship between a bear and a tree. But the deeper you watch, the more you realize this story isn’t just about nature — it’s about relationship, separation, consequence, and redemption.

The evergreen gives the bear a home and teaches it how to survive. But when the cub is tempted by easy rewards (symbolized in the film by trash and junk), it wanders into danger. Left to face the consequences of its choices, the bear must come to terms with what it has lost — and what it risks losing forever.

This narrative reflects something familiar to all of us: the struggle between what is easy and what is right, between temptation and wisdom, between self-interest and love.

“Forevergreen takes the powerfully moving truth of divine love and couches it in such an entertaining and emotional way…”
— Review quoted on the official film site.

True Love Is a Choice, Not Just a Feeling

Everyday life gives us countless echoes of the same theme.

  • A parent sacrificing sleep and personal plans to care for a sick child
  • A firefighter running into danger to rescue strangers
  • A friend showing up when it would be easier to stay away

These moments may be small and unseen, but they all share something important: love is not simply felt — it is chosen.

Sacrificial love requires us to deny ourselves, to face discomfort, to choose someone else’s well-being over our own convenience. That’s why these quiet acts resonate so deeply within us.

The Perfect Example: Jesus, the Sacrificial Love

All of the moments of love we see on screen or in everyday life point to a deeper truth — a love that is not learned from a script or born out of convenience, but lived out at a cost.

Jesus of Nazareth described this kind of love in the clearest terms recorded in Scripture:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

He didn’t just speak these words — He embodied them. At the cross, Jesus willingly laid down His life not for perfect people, but for flawed humanity. He chose sacrifice so that we might be restored, forgiven, and known. His was not a love of comfort — it was a love of cost.

The Moment Everything Became Clear

As Forevergreen unfolds, the story becomes more than just a charming animated journey — it becomes a mirror. It asks us:

  • What do we chase?
  • Who do we turn to when we are in danger?
  • What does love cost us — and what cost are we willing to pay?

And in that reflection, we see the truth Jesus taught us — that love is most deeply revealed not in ease, but in laying down what we hold most dear.

**There truly is…
no greater love.

Reflection & Prayer

Think about this:
Who in your life is God asking you to love sacrificially today?

Prayer:
Lord, help us to see love not as a feeling but as a choice. Teach us to lay down our lives in small ways that reflect Your great sacrifice for us. Give us courage to choose love over ease, and selflessness over comfort. Amen.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast and FaithandFamilyFilms.Com

I Can Only Imagine — From Song to Movie to Viral Cover and a Sequel on the Way

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Some songs don’t just play in the background — they stay with you. They surface in quiet moments, in grief, in gratitude, in worship. “I Can Only Imagine” is one of those rare songs.

When MercyMe’s Bart Millard first wrote it, he wasn’t chasing a hit. He was processing a lifetime of pain, forgiveness, and redemption — especially the complicated relationship with his father that would ultimately shape the song’s meaning. What followed was something no one could have predicted. “I Can Only Imagine” became one of the most-played and best-selling Christian songs of all time, earning multi-platinum status and embedding itself into the lives of listeners around the world.

Years later, that song became a story on the big screen. In 2018, I Can Only Imagine arrived in theaters as a modest, faith-based independent film — and quietly became a phenomenon. Word of mouth carried it from church groups to mainstream audiences, eventually driving the film to nearly $86 million worldwide. For many viewers, it wasn’t just a movie night. It was a deeply personal experience — one that reminded them of their own journeys with faith, family, and forgiveness.

Now, that story is finding new life once again.

As anticipation builds for I Can Only Imagine 2 — opening in theaters nationwide on February 20, 2026 — the song that started it all is resonating with a new generation of listeners. And unexpectedly, that resurgence has been fueled by a familiar voice from an entirely different world.

Todd Hoffman — known to many from Gold Rush — recorded a heartfelt cover of “I Can Only Imagine” for the first film’s online promotion. There were no grand expectations. Just a simple performance, grounded in sincerity. And once again, people leaned in.

The video began spreading organically. On YouTube, it climbed past 2.7 million views, carried not by algorithms alone but by people sharing it with intention. On Facebook, the response was immediate and emotional — surpassing one million views in less than two days, and continuing on to more than 10 million plus views as friends tagged friends and families shared it with their own reflections attached. The song didn’t stay in one place; it moved through timelines, private messages, and comment sections filled with personal stories.

Instagram echoed that momentum in its own way. Clips tied to the song and the upcoming sequel sparked strong engagement, with fans stopping mid-scroll to listen, reflect, and respond. And on Twitter, the video traveled through retweets and reactions — short, simple posts that said everything a metric couldn’t: this still matters.

But the most telling response wasn’t in the numbers.

It was in the comments.

People described the cover as beautiful. Inspiring. Exactly what I needed today. Others admitted it brought them to tears, or gave them chills hearing a familiar song through a new voice. Many paired the music with their excitement for the sequel — sharing memories of what the original film meant to them and anticipation for what’s coming next.

That reaction reveals why this story endures.

I Can Only Imagine has never been just about a song or a movie. It’s about what happens when honesty meets hope — when brokenness finds grace. The original film told the story of how a painful past gave birth to a powerful message. The upcoming sequel continues that journey, carrying forward the same heart, faith, and emotional truth that audiences connected with the first time.

As I Can Only Imagine 2 prepares to open in theaters nationwide on February 20, 2026, the renewed response to the song — and to Todd Hoffman’s cover — feels less like nostalgia and more like a reminder.

Some stories don’t fade. They wait for the right moment to be heard again.

Whether through a song, a cover, or a seat in a movie theater, I Can Only Imagine continues to invite us to pause — to reflect — and to imagine something greater, together.

Dave Almgren – Two Pastors Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

Unfinished Business: The Inspiring True Story of Mike Flynt and The Senior

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The Senior is more than just a sports film — it’s a powerful testament to courage, redemption, and the idea that it’s never too late to finish what life started. The movie tells the true story of Mike Flynt, a man who chased an unfinished dream nearly 40 years after it began.

Who Is Mike Flynt?

Mike Flynt was a standout high school linebacker in Odessa, Texas — part of the Permian High School team that won the state championship in 1965. He went on to play linebacker at Sul Ross State University and served as team captain, but his college football career ended abruptly before his senior season due to off-field trouble and disciplinary issues. That loss weighed on him for decades.

The Comeback at 59

In 2007, at 59 years old, Flynt did something almost no one believed he would: he returned to Sul Ross State to finish his college football career. A chance conversation with old teammates at a reunion challenged him to act on his regrets. After confirming he was still technically eligible, he walked on to the team, becoming one of the oldest college football players in NCAA history.

Instead of glory, his comeback was about redemption, grit, and purpose — proving age is no barrier to pursuing unfinished dreams.

From Real Life to the Big Screen

The film The Senior, directed by Rod Lurie and starring Michael Chiklis as Mike Flynt (with Mary Stuart Masterson as his wife Eileen), dramatizes this remarkable journey. At its heart, the story isn’t just about football — it’s about integrity, reconciliation, and family (themes that echo strongly if you watch the video about Mike’s story).

Through both heart-pounding gridiron scenes and quieter, emotional moments, The Senior invites audiences to reflect on:

  • What we would do for a second chance
  • The courage it takes to make peace with the past
  • How community, family, and faith can fuel a comeback

The tagline — it’s hard to believe it’s a true story — isn’t just a marketing line. It’s a challenge to every one of us: What dream have you set aside that’s still waiting to be pursued?

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

God. Family. Football. A Life Story of Faith, Mentorship, and Legacy

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I first met Pastor Denny Duron back in the 1990s at youth retreats in Oregon. Even then, long before God. Family. Football. existed on screens, there was something unmistakable about his passion — not just for football but for each young life he ministered to. That early impression has only deepened now that the world gets to see his story unfold on Amazon Freevee and Fox Nation.

From Quarterback to Pastor-Coach: A Life Built on Faith

Duron’s journey began on the football field long before there was a docu series. Born in 1952 in Texas, he was a standout quarterback at Louisiana Tech University, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Division II national championships in 1972 and 1973 and earning all-conference honors.

After a brief professional stint — including time in the World Football League and signing with the Washington Redskins — God’s calling took him out of the limelight and into ministry. It was that same sense of calling that later brought him back into football, but with a renewed purpose: using the game as a platform to mentor young men in faith, character, and life beyond the field.

Duron founded the football program at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, and over decades the Eagles became a powerhouse — with numerous state championships and recognition as one of the nation’s top high school programs.

Today he wears many hats — pastor of Shreveport Community Church, chancellor of Evangel Christian Academy, coach, author, and communicator of faith — yet his message remains consistent: God first, family second, and football third.

The Series: Real Lives, Real Faith

God. Family. Football. premiered on Amazon Freevee in September 2023 and has since gained new life on Fox Nation, where Season 2 and beyond continue to follow the Eagles’ journey.

Unlike typical sports documentaries, this series isn’t just about wins and losses. Centered on the 2022 season, it highlights:

  • The emotional and spiritual growth of players
  • Real struggles off the field — family issues, personal goals, and pressures of adolescence
  • The profound impact of mentorship and community support

Through the cameras, viewers see what I saw in person all those years ago — a coach who genuinely cares about who his players become, not just how they perform.

Season 3, which premiered in August 2025 on Fox Nation, introduces new storylines — including rising quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston and Damari “DayDay” Drake’s moving journey through family reconciliation — reinforcing that this isn’t just about football, but life’s victories and setbacks.

Why This Story Matters

What sets God. Family. Football. apart is its heart. Yes, there are incredible athletic moments and dramatic Friday night lights. But at its core is a message about faith-first living — a principle I witnessed firsthand from Pastor Duron decades ago. He’s not just coaching players. He’s shaping character. He’s modeling resilience. He’s pointing to a purpose bigger than any scoreboard.

And that’s what keeps audiences coming back season after season. Viewers resonate with the idea that football is real, but faith and family are deeper still.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

A Great Awakening: A Powerful New Film from Sight & Sound Coming Easter 2026

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

Sight & Sound Films, the storytellers known for bringing faith-centered, history-inspired stories to life, are set to release their latest cinematic journey, A Great Awakening, on April 3, 2026, in movie theaters nationwide. This inspiring historical drama arrives at a meaningful moment — coinciding with the 250th anniversary of America’s founding — and promises to engage audiences with a compelling blend of faith, freedom, and the human spirit.

A Story That Shaped a Nation

Set in the tense years before the American Revolution, A Great Awakening tells the true story of an unlikely friendship that played an instrumental role in shaping the moral and spiritual foundations of a nation. At the heart of the film is Reverend George Whitefield, the charismatic preacher whose sermons sparked the first Great Awakening, a sweeping spiritual renewal that united communities across the colonies.

As the colonies teetered on the brink of collapse, Whitefield’s voice echoed through towns and cities, inspiring a generation to embrace faith as a catalyst for liberty. Along the way, he forged a remarkable friendship with Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. Through this relationship, the film explores how true freedom isn’t just codified in laws — it’s awakened in people’s hearts.

Director Joshua Enck, who also serves as President & Chief Story Officer of Sight & Sound, explains that the film’s mission is to remind audiences how ordinary people — guided by extraordinary faith — can help steer the course of history.

From Stage to Screen: Sight & Sound’s Expanding Vision

Sight & Sound has spent more than five decades delighting audiences with immersive live productions attended by millions at their theaters in Pennsylvania and Missouri. Their transition into feature film making builds on this legacy of dramatic storytelling and spiritual depth. A Great Awakening follows earlier Sight & Sound films like I Heard the Bells (2022) and NOAH — Live!, expanding their reach into cinema through partnerships with distributors like Roadside Attractions.

Audiences can expect the same epic scale, richly detailed sets, original music, and human storytelling that have become hallmarks of Sight & Sound’s creative work — now crafted for the big screen with a nationwide theatrical release.

Early Audience Buzz

Reaction to the film’s first trailer has been enthusiastic. As one viewer put it:

“The trailer for the movie knocked me out with how good this film looks. A must see movie.” — Nick, Stamford CT

That kind of excitement suggests A Great Awakening won’t just be another historical drama — it could become a meaningful experience for anyone who loves stories about faith, freedom, and transformative friendships. Make plans to embark on a cinematic journey this coming Easter! In theaters April 3rd, 2026.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast