Kendricks’ ‘The Forge’ Aims to Ignite Discipleship Movement across Churches
- Michael Foust Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Updated Aug 13, 2024
The award-winning filmmakers behind War Room and Overcomer are back with a new film and a bold goal of sparking a discipleship movement within the body of Christ. The Forge, the latest film from Alex and Stephen Kendrick, follows the story of an irresponsible young man named Isaiah who learns about life and faith under the guidance of a wise older gentleman. It stars Cameron Arnett, Priscilla C. Shirer, Karen Abercrombie, T.C. Stallings, Benjamin Watson, and newcomer Aspen Kennedy as Isaiah.
The Forge is a stand-alone film but includes characters from War Room, a 2015 hit movie that rose to No. 1 at the box office and won Inspirational Film of the Year at the Dove Awards.
The Forge opens in theaters on August 23.
“We hope the church wants to grow in their discipleship,” Alex Kendrick told Crosswalk Headlines. “… We don’t need more lukewarm Christians in churches. We need to see people that are devoted to Jesus, that truly want to glorify and honor the Lord and walk more intimately with Him. This movie focuses on what that could look like.”
Said Stephen Kendrick, “We believe the church right now needs this message.”
The Kendricks are known for their movies with a message. Fireproof (2008) urged moviegoers to strengthen their marriages. Courageous (2011) spotlighted fatherhood, while War Room focused on prayer. The 2019 film Overcomer encouraged Christians to find their identity in Christ, not the world. Their most recent film, Lifemark (2022), highlighted adoption. For most of the movies, Alex was the director, and Stephen was the producer.
The Forge underscores the significance of discipleship through the story of Joshua (Arnett), an older man who leads a men’s discipleship group that Isaiah joins.
The filmmakers are launching small group Bible studies and books designed for churches looking to initiate a discipleship program.
Discipleship was a key part of Jesus’ ministry, the filmmakers said. Christ “poured into” the disciples “at a more intimate level” than other people, Alex Kendrick noted.
“It stretched them; it was hard on them at times, but they bore fruit at a deeper level,” he said. “And they walked more intimately with the Lord. And so we want to do that.”
Discipleship, he noted, “is different than just being a convert to the faith.”
Stephen Kendrick said the next generation “desperately” needs a message of discipleship.
“They’re emotionally disconnected,” he said. “They’re watching really cool speakers on YouTube, but they don’t have a relationship with those speakers. The speakers don’t know their names -- they can’t answer their questions. …When people watch The Forge, they are going to laugh; they’re going to be inspired. It’s a family-friendly movie. But hopefully, they’re going to be encouraged in their own surrender to walk with the Lord. And they’re also going to be challenged to look at the next generation and say: This isn’t rocket science. I can share what God has poured into my life. And I can begin to mentor and have a relationship and share God’s truth and example with this next generation.”
WATCH: THE FORGE Official Movie Trailer HD
Photo Credit: © Sony
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
