'Fireproof' Shows Christian Movies Sell

For the Kendricks, "Fireproof" is more than a film, it's a mission. The brothers are ministers at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Their production company, Sherwood Pictures, is actually a ministry of the 3,000-member church. And all profits from the film are funneled back into the church.

"Some people are out there to win an Oscar, and we're looking to win people's hearts," said Jim McBride, the church's executive pastor and executive producer of "Fireproof."

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"We're in this for the ministry aspect of it."

It all started when Kendrick, who grew up making films with a bulky camcorder in his backyard, was hired as an associate minister at the church. Michael Catt, the senior pastor, who had a vision of reaching the world from Albany, asked Alex what he'd like to be doing in five years.

"I told him I hoped to make my first Christian film but I didn't know if it was possible at a church," Kendrick said. "He said, 'Why not?'"

In 2002, church members raised $20,000 and volunteered to work behind and act in front of the camera, so that Kendrick could make "Flywheel." Shown on DVD at a local theater, it stayed on screen for six weeks and was Albany's second highest grossing film.

The second film, "Facing the Giants," about a struggling football coach, enlisted more volunteers and cost $100,000. In 2006, the newly-formed Provident Films, which distributes Christian-themed movies, teamed with Samuel Goldwyn and released "Giants" in theaters. The film made $10 million at the box office.

After watching it, Cameron -- a Christian evangelist who runs an organization called the Way of the Master, comprised of a Web site and cable television show -- called Alex Kendrick and Catt and said, "If you ever do another movie, count me in."

Like other volunteers, Cameron received no money for the six weeks of shooting, although the church paid for his expenses in Albany. Instead, Sherwood Baptist Church made a donation to Camp Firefly, a charity Cameron runs with his wife Chelsea to give terminally ill children and their families a free week's vacation.