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On July 4, Angel Studios will release its latest film, which tells the true story of a small congregation that saw a need, took action, and changed the lives of 77 children.
Can you imagine if all the children languishing in local foster care were adopted by a single church?
That is exactly what happened in Possum Trot, Texas, where a small, faithful Christian congregation chose to adopt 77 children, many from the most difficult and tragic situations.
On July 4, Angel Studios will be releasing “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” in theaters across the nation, and I want to encourage every Christian to support the film.
I had the opportunity to attend a pre-release screening of “Possum Trot,” and I left the theater both inspired and challenged to do more to help children.
Angel Studios has excelled with previous releases such as “Sound of Freedom” and “Sight,” and this movie is no different.
“Possum Trot” is told largely through the experiences of Bishop W.C. Martin (played by Demetrius Grosse) and his wife, known as “First Lady” Donna (played by Nika King). After the death of her mother, Donna is feeling lost — until she feels a call from God to consider adopting children from troubled backgrounds.
Reverend Martin resists, as they already have two teenagers, including their son Princeton, who has a developmental disorder.
Yet Donna cannot shake the feeling that they were meant to do more. Eventually, Reverend Martin admits he is feeling the call from God as well.
The two meet with child services employee Susan Ramsey, played by Elizabeth Mitchell, and agree to take in two children with heartbreaking pasts.
Seeing this, another 22 families from Possum Trot soon agree to take in the most difficult-to-place children from the foster care agency. As part of this, the Martins agree to take in yet another child, a very broken teenage girl named Terri, played by Diaana Babnivoca.
“Possum Trot” is a raw and emotional retelling of a true story and it doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles that the families faced in adopting children who had been victims of abandonment and unspeakable trauma. However, the film constantly preaches, sometimes literally, that God never promised that life would be easy — but that He would be there with us through whatever adversity comes our way.
The film is rated PG-13, and it is warranted.
Unlike many films with the same rating, viewers don’t need to be concerned about scantily clad actors and actresses, excessive cursing, or gratuitous violence. However, this is not a film appropriate for children, and I would hesitate to bring even a young teenager to this film due to its serious nature, which shows the realities of what children have experienced in the foster care system.
Some violence is depicted, rape is both mentioned and implied, a few expletives are used in scenes of intense emotion, and child abuse is a key theme in the film, though it is not shown.
With that said, “Possum Trot” is a film that adults should see, especially Christians.
While you will feel heartache for the children living through such horrors, it is not something we can overlook or pretend isn’t real.
This movie will challenge you to ask yourself: Do I really have faith? Do I really trust in the Lord? Do I really want to obey Him?
Yet more than anything, “Possum Trot” is encouraging. It preaches God’s forgiveness, redemption, and His sustaining power, which is always given to those who ask for His strength.
Short, passionate sermons are preached in the movie that will make you want to say “Amen!” And despite it’s serious subject matter, “Possum Trot” has its lighthearted and humorous moments.
I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the film, particularly the acting, which is carried by its stars.
Angel Studios is producing what society really needs: compelling content that Christians can see without compromising their values. These are entertaining, powerful movies that convey Christian themes that even secular audiences will enjoy and find challenging.
As with its other movies, Angel Studios offers a “pay it forward” option for “Possum Trot,” which is humorously discussed by the real Martins at the end of the movie. The studio is offering free tickets on its website and is hoping for 1 million “fighters” to join in the effort to help children — beginning with seeing this film and ensuring that others can see it too.
There are currently 400,000 children in foster care, with 100,000 eligible for adoption. Meanwhile, there are Christian congregations and homes across the nation that could either foster, adopt, or provide support to parents and children.
What if just a couple families in each church took in a child from a broken home and the members of the church helped to support those families? In very short order, we could provide a home for nearly every child.
This, however, brings me to a disturbing reality that is taking root in the United States.
“Possum Trot” shows what can happen when the state and Christians work together, but unfortunately, in many states, the church is treated as an enemy rather than as a friend.
In some states, Christians are being banned from the foster care system because they won’t embrace the LGBTQ ideology. We have written several articles about Christians in Oregon, Massachusetts, and Vermont who were all banned from fostering, adopting, or even providing respite care for children due to their religious beliefs.
Government agencies tasked with helping to provide children with loving homes would rather they sleep in police stations, hospitals, and group homes because they claim that a Christian who believes God’s Word is a greater danger to the child. This is being challenged in court, as it should be, so we must pray that such policies are found unconstitutional and that states are banned from implementing them ever again.
And yet we should not be deterred by such hostility. Instead, we should work to show governments that churches can be their greatest ally in helping neglected and abused children to heal and thrive. That because as “The Story of Possum Trot” shows, the only real hope in this world is found in the redemptive love and saving grace of Jesus Christ.
So go see this movie when it hits theaters on July 4. Bring your friends, family, and fellow church members. And then pray and ask God for guidance in determining: What can I do to help a child in need?
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