Jesus Camp - From the Horse's Mouth

Non Christians have been shocked by a movie about young people who are passionate towards Jesus. What a Concept. There has been much written. I have not, but today I got this and decided it was worth posting. I may see the film but If you should hear of it, this is the truth, all else you hear are lies. OK?

Aimee Herd (Oct 5th, 2006)
(She wrote this and works for the Elijah List Group.

The documentary Jesus Camp is now being talked about on just about every form of media available. Reviews have been mixed. Some are moved by it and inspired, some are horrified and alarmed, still others who viewed the film were disturbed by a negative tone in places, toward the camp, and even Evangelical Christian ideology in general. The documentary follows three Christian children attending a summer Bible camp. Cameras are rolling as pre-teen boys and girls display a passion for God's Word, weep in intercession, repent of their sins and those of the nation, and lay hands on a life-size cut-out of President Bush as they pray for him. Some of the children in the film are praying in tongues with intense emotion, others are forcefully declaring Scriptures with hands raised.

Certainly, one who has never witnessed these kinds of activities in church, let alone by children, would wonder, maybe even be shocked at what they see. But for Pastor Becky Fischer, who has spent much of her life working with, and ministering to children, this is normal "Spirit-filled" life. Pastor Fischer still has trouble seeing the "political" slant of Jesus Camp. When praying for the President, she says they were just doing what the Bible commands all Christians; to "pray for all who are in authority . . ." Yes, adds Fischer, "even if the President was Saddam Hussein," Christians are still told to pray.

Much of the controversy stems from the intensity and seriousness of the children who are concerned with world events and practices, such as abortion, and see themselves as "soldiers" in a war. Pointing to places in the film, where the kids attending the camp don war-paint, and talk of dying for their faith as martyrs, Mike Papantonio, radio host for Air America, sounds a warning of possible brainwashing by the likes of Becky Fischer, and other fervent Charismatic preachers. But has Mr. Papantonio, forgotten those familiar verses of the age-old hymn, which certainly seems to have been readily accepted by thousands in the past; "Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war . . ?"

Yes, Becky does point out to the children, the passion and dedication-to-belief that is found within youths of the same age, in Islam . . . even of those willing to be "martyrs" for their faith. But Becky is making a point. The opposite of such devotion is apathy. "This is the reason I let the filming of Jesus Camp take place," she explains, "statistics say, 70 percent of our children, who are raised in Christian, Bible-believing churches, are leaving the church when they become teenagers and young adults, and never stepping foot inside a church again. That's a crisis, and we've got to do something to change this picture."

According to Fischer, when footage was first completed, she was told the film itself was still without direction, so she informed film makers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady that she would pray for God's direction for the project. "I prayed for them," says Becky "I asked God to give them the direction they needed for the film." Nine months later, she realized the documentary about the kids had taken a different turn. Objections were voiced, from Fischer, as well as many of the parents. "It was a shock," remarked Becky. "I did go through a very emotional time wondering 'did I get tricked?'" So, Ewing and Grady went back and re-edited, even changing the music score, which had a somewhat eerie feel to it, and was felt to have added to the negativity. The result was the final version of Jesus Camp.

And Becky stands by the film, knowing the controversy it has stirred, enduring even death threats and angry phone calls in the night. Why? Becky explains, "I know what this film looks like. And I have two choices. I could distance myself from this, or I can continue to support this film. I look at this and think, 'this is still salvageable, there is more good in this film, than there is bad.' Everyone is focusing on the political angle and that's what's getting attention. My message is so much bigger to the Body of Christ. But if it wasn't for the political controversy, no one would've ever heard my name."

"Here's what I see," continues Becky, "this film has nothing to do with politics. This film has nothing to do with any chasm between Evangelicals and Charismatics. But this film has everything to do with; this is the generation that prophets have been speaking over for 25 years. This is all about this generation of children. I hate this controversy, but I'm using it as a platform to get this message out to the Christian community that God sees our children as partners in this 'last-days' move of God."