ALBANY Ga.–– Take your UM Men organization to see Courageous, a film produced by the pastors of Sherwood Church in Albany, Ga.

The movie, which opens Friday, Sept. 30, is about four fathers in law enforcement who go through a terrible tragedy. They begin looking at their role as fathers . . . and they begin challenging one another to fulfill God’s intention for fathers.

The film encourages men to “rise with courage” in their homes and as leaders at a time when 4 of 10 marriages end in divorce and more than a third of all children live away from their biological fathers.

“God led us,” said co-writer and producer Stephen Kendrick, a father of four. “We believe God is calling men to rise up with strength and with leadership in their homes, with their families and with their children.”

“We focus on the crucial role of father; it’s not just to be a father who loves his kids,” said Alex Kendrick, co-writer/director of Courageous and father of six. "It’s to be engaged with a purpose—to be a father on purpose.”

The Rev. Mark Lubbock, deployed staff member of the General Commission on UM Men and chief executive officer of Louisiana Men of Christ, has seen the film times in previews with church and civic leaders.

“I always come away encouraged with what can happen,” he said. “It’s a Christian movie, but it’s also a crossover movie for the general population. Not all viewers may connect with the Christian message but they will certainly connect with the excitement of the story.”

For information, visit http://www.courageousthemovie.com/takeaction_faq

Visit a blog by Mark Lubbock about the movie and enter your response.