Filmmaker to speak on behalf of International Friendship Ministries

Filmmaker Stephen Kendrick is impressed by the accomplishments of International Friendship Ministries in Columbus.

“It is an incredible ministry,” he said. “The work being done is important.”

The production company, led by he and his brother, Alex, is responsible for such successful faith-based movies as “Fireproof,” “Courageous,” “War Room” and “Facing the Giants.”

What makes the local organization particularly special for the Albany, Ga., resident is his uncle and aunt, Ron Collins and Carole Collins, founded the IFM and serve as co-executive directors.

To support the IFM, Kendrick will be in Columbus on May 16 to speak at a lunch fundraiser in the St. Luke Ministry Center on 11th Street. Those interested in attending can make a reservation at 706-653-0097.

“God has given them a love for internationals,” Kendrick said of his relatives.

The IFM connects the local Christian community to people from other countries in the Chattahoochee Valley with the hope of transforming the world through Christ-centered friendships.

By equipping and mobilizing hundreds of volunteers and local churches, IFM provides friendship partners and sponsors classes in English as a second language.

There are also art classes, dance classes, Bible studies and camps. Help is provided with home care and transportation.

“We are showing hospitality to people from all over the world,” said Ron Collins, a former music minister at First Baptist Church in Columbus. “We feel we provide something the community needs.”

In 1997, he, his wife and other Christian friends saw the opportunity to do something for the community.

The headquarters is a small building on University Avenue with some classes taught next door at Albright’s Florist.

IFM has served people from more than 50 countries. Many of the foreigners have a connection with the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security at Fort Benning but others come with local industries.

Rob Ward sits on the IFM board. He works at TSYS, which he says is seeing more workers from other countries.

“We are a global company,” he said.

Carole Collins recalled a woman who came here from Central America. Her mother told her not to leave the house in order to be safe. The IFM got involved and she became active in many activities.

“We are building relationships here,” Ron Collins said. “Those who go back home have good things to say about this country.”

Carole Collins said the IFM provides a “home away from home.”

IFM began small and is constantly growing.

The Kendrick brothers began small. The brothers’ first film, “Flywheel,” was made for $20,000 that came from donations. It was made an outreach project for Sherwood Baptist Church. It sold 1,000 DVDs.

That was in 2003.

Five years later, Fireproof was the No. 1 independent film taking in more than $33 million.

While the success of their films have led to many other Christian films showing up in theatres. Kendrick, who said he grew up watching films by Billy Graham’s World Wide Productions, gives credit to a 2004 film by Mel Gibson, “The Passion of the Christ,” as inspiring the making of more faith-based productions.

“Its huge success showed there was a massive underserved audience out there for these kind of movies,” he said. “‘The Passion of The Christ’ exposed the market.”

The brothers, originally from Athens, Ga., say their production company exists to honor Jesus Christ and make His truth and love know among the nations through movies, books, curriculum and speaking. Both are ordained ministers who hope their work helps strengthen families and personal relationships.

Kendrick said the ride to success in the film business has “definitely been an adventure.”

“We have been blessed,” he said.

“The lunch will be a great time not only for people to learn about the Kendrick brothers and their films, but about IFM, about what we are accomplishing here, and how they can help,” Ron Collins said.

For more information on IFM, visit www.ifmga.org.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 10:05 PM with the headline "Filmmaker to speak on behalf of International Friendship Ministries."