God's Not Dead: A Light in

Darkness
Synopsis:Pastor Dave responds to the unimaginable tragedy of having his
church, located on the grounds of the local university, burned down.
Genre: Drama
Director(s): Michael Mason
Actors: David A.R. White, John Corbett, Shane Harper, Ted McGinley
Production: Pure Flix Entertainment
 
 
IMDB:
 
3.8

 
Metacritic:
 
33

 
Rotten Tomatoes:
 
13%

[flames crackling]

[woman narrating] Sometimes

all it takes is a spark.

Something very small.

But the spark becomes a flame.

And if that flame spreads, the

power can be so overwhelming

it transforms everything
around it.

[people chattering]

[female newscaster] We begin with breaking

news from Hope Springs, Arkansas.

[male newscaster] People are up in arms,

speaking out against what they believe...

[female newscaster 2] ...only religious

leader who refused to abide the mandate.

David Hill, you're under arrest.

Contempt of court.

You failed to produce your

sermons upon court order.

- Please put your hands behind your back.

- [handcuffs ratcheting]

[man] The state is

overstepping its bounds.

- [police radio chatter]

- [siren wailing]

[woman] A subpoena of sermons

is needless and unprecedented.

[man 2] This is a witch hunt

to silence the victim.

[male newscaster] We're seeing more

and more protests around the city

since local pastor, David Hill, was

arrested for contempt of court.

Hill refused to abide by a

controversial government mandate

to turn over transcripts of his

sermons to city officials.

And right now, a contentious

and heated free speech debate

is threatening to boil over while the

pastor sits in jail waiting for a ruling.

[footsteps]

[lock clattering]

[buzzer sounds]

Let's go.

[buzzer sounds]

Appreciate it.

- Hey.

- Jude.

[laughing]

Ah.

You wanna get

some waffles?

Of course I wanna

get some waffles.

[crowd cheering] Free Reverend Dave!

Free Reverend Dave!

Free Reverend Dave!

Free Reverend Dave!
[woman] Reverend, what do you have

to say about being released today?

I am grateful to the court

that they recognize

that this mandate

was unconstitutional.

I think this is more

of a human rights issue.

It's about our right

to see truth

and to share that truth

with others.

[woman] But considering your church is

associated with a public university,

how do you define

"truth" exactly?

Truth is a person.

The person of Jesus Christ.

It's the one truth

above all others.

What do you have to say to the people here

who are calling you an embarrassment?

[man] Jesus Christ is the one truth?

Really?

This guy just can't

help himself, can he?

This guy is a pastor who was

jailed for his beliefs.

What if it was a Jewish rabbi

that said there was one truth?

- Or a Muslim imam?

- They have that right. Freedom of worship.

In places of worship. But

Hadleigh is a state university.

See, and that's the question,

y'all.

What's a church doing on a state

campus in the first place?

We're seeing more and more

protests around the city.

Students are actually calling for the removal

of Saint James from Hadleigh campus altogether.

As the battle rages on

in Hope Springs...

[woman] A historic landmark

that has served this community

for over a century.

And now they want

the church gone.

This is what

our country has come to.

[siren wailing in distance]
[man singing on radio, faint]

You gonna ask her out,

or what?

Excuse me?

We drive all the way

out here every week,

drop off all this food.

Why don't you finally

ask the girl out?

She feeds homeless people,

Jude.

That's why

we donate the food.

Yes, but she obviously

likes you.

No way.

What's a six-letter word

for "clueless"?

Funny. You're still

working on that thing?

I'm much faster

when it's in Swahili.

Fair enough.

[chattering]

[waitress] This tab's already been paid.

You guys enjoy.

- Hey, convict.

- Hey.

Just can't stay out of the

news these days, can you?

[chuckling] Yeah, I've never had

so many people care what I think.

Well, I'm on your side.

You know that.

- Busy today, huh?

- Busy's good.

More people to feed,

the better.

Hey, thank your congregation

for all this.

Couldn't do it without y'all.

I'll see you next Saturday.

Hold up.

From last night.

Pork chops

turned out great.

Thanks.

- [car door opens]

- [bell dings]

- Told you.

- Who asked you?

[crowd shouting]
We don't want you here!

Wonder what my father

would think.

When he was a pastor, he'd leave

these doors open day and night.

Didn't matter.

Now we hire armed security

guards to protect us

from the same people we're

supposed to be ministering to.

It's just fear, David,

and it can be overcome.

You know this.

- Do you ever complain?

- You know where I come from.

I've seen my share

of struggles.

But one thing

has never changed.

God is good

all the time.

And all the time,

God is good.

[Dave] I appreciate you all braving

the angry mobs and picketers.

But even with all the noise

going on out there,

I just want to assure you that Saint James

has been around for over 150 years,

and despite what those picket signs say

out there, we're not going anywhere.

- Amen!

- Now, looking forward, I have some very good news.

Jude,

you want to come up?

I couldn't be happier

to share

that our very own

Jude Mbaye

has accepted a permanent position

with us here at Saint James

as my co-pastor.

Amen. Welcome, brother.

Thank you.

[Dave] You know, I realized tonight

that, uh, it's been a long time

since I've felt like I had

a real brother in my life.

[chuckling] David, are you

sharing your feelings?

Okay, let's not make

a big deal out of it.

I'm just saying

that I'm grateful for you.

I'm excited.

I feel the same. Now, can

we get some waffles?

[laughing]

- [alarm blaring]

- What was that?

I don't know.

[alarm continues blaring]

- Hey! Hey! Get back here!

- David!

David, no!

[sighs]

- [Dave] Ah.

- You call the police. I'll shut off the alarm.

Yeah.

Yeah, this is, uh, Reverend David Hill.

I'm a pastor at Saint James.

[beeping]

[alarm stops]

Well, no,

it's not an emergency.

It's just a... uh... It was a

broken window to the basement.

- [grunts]

- [shouts]

[alarm blaring]

Jude?

Jude?

[coughing]

Jude?

Jude!

- Oh, no.

- David.

You're gonna be okay.

All right?

- Stay with me.

- Okay.

[grunting]

Come on.

[grunting]

[grunting continues]

[grunts]

[alarm continues blaring]

[grunts]

Jude, I'm gonna get you

out of here. Okay?

- Okay.

- Stay with me.

Please, God, help me.

[grunting]

[grunting continues]

No, no. [coughing]

[coughing]

Dave.

Don't talk, brother.

Don't talk. Just stay with me.

Help is coming.

Hold on, Jude. It's okay.

[speaking Swahili]

What?

[Swahili continues]

- What are you saying? What does that mean?

- [sirens approaching]

- [exhales]

- Jude?

Jude.

- Jude?

- [horns honking]

Please, God, no.

Jude! Help!

[coughs]

Don't leave me, man.

Jude.

Jude, no.

[crying]
[siren wailing]

[siren wailing fades]

[woman]

I'm so tired of all the noise.

Everyone yelling.

On the news.

In the classroom.

Even in church.

[gasps]

I can barely hear you anymore.

Are you even there?

I hope you are.

'Cause I feel so lost, God.

I'm starting to feel pretty dumb

talking to myself

when you don't talk back,

so...

wherever you are...

I'm still here.

Hey.

- Hi.

- [kisses]

I stopped at Stella's,

got you the good stuff.

- My hero. Thank you.

- I know. You're welcome.

- How was your day?

- Good.

- [phone buzzing]

- Wow, this looks, uh, fun.

You can get it

if you want.

- It's Sunday.

- Oh, that's right.

You're...

"in church."

- Don't be a jerk.

- Why don't you just tell 'em?

Adam, my parents would be devastated if

they found out I was even questioning.

- Okay, you have no idea.

- Yeah, I do.

I did my time as a kid,

remember?

I just got out

sooner than you did.

Okay, can we not

talk about this?

Sure.

I get it.

What you're

going through.

I really do.

Okay, go to your study group.

I have work to do.

- Are you kicking me out?

- Mm-hmm.

Fine. See you later.

Okay. Bye.

Thanks for the snack.

[door opens]

- [woman] Okay, wait, wait. So, let me get this straight.

- [laughter]

So, you're saying that because the

Kit Kat logo doesn't have a hyphen,

it proves there are

multiple realities?

Hey, look, you're oversimplifying,

but, yes, exactly.

How am I oversimplifying?

That's exactly what you said.

Yeah, but it's not just Kit Kat though.

It's a lot of things.

- Like what?

- Like Curious George used to have a tail.

- But now he doesn't.

- What?

- "Used to"?

- Yeah.
- No, it didn't change. People just remember it wrong.

- Look it up.

Okay, but maybe it did change.

Maybe it did change.

Curious George

does not have a tail?

- No.

- On it.

[woman] My whole life's a lie.

- This is freaking me out.

- You haven't heard about this?

- No!
- No, it's called the Mandela Effect.

Millions of people thought that Nelson

Mandela died in prison in the '80s,

but he didn't.

The theory is our reality

collided with a parallel reality.

Right, where Kit Kat has no hyphen

and Curious George has no tail.

- That's right.

- Okay.

Look, it's science, yo, okay?

Quantum physics. Look it up.

Do you guys seriously not hear

how ridiculous you sound?

Okay, but God had himself a human son who

could walk on water and multiply fish,

and that's not ridiculous?

So, yeah, given the choice,

I'm taking the Kit Kat theory.

And if we get lucky, maybe

we'll collide with a reality

where our school isn't poisoned by

Reverend Dave and his one truth.

- Ooh.

- Preach it.

You just don't get it

'cause you're one of 'em, K.

Not really.

I mean, not anymore.

Excuse me?

- What?

- Okay, if you're not one of them, then what are you?

What am I?

I'm annoyed by you

because you're annoying.

I have to go.

- Sorry, bro.
- Thanks, Teo.

- It was a conversation.

- It's okay.

[door closes]

Keaton, wait up.

- Look, I didn't mean anything by it.

- I know. It's fine.

- I have a chem test tomorrow. I have to study.

- We were just joking.

Keaton.

I don't care what you

believe and don't believe,

and I don't have

a problem with God.

Yeah, but you do, Adam.

Okay?

You say it's just the church or

religion or whatever, but...

[sighs] You know what?

I'm so tired of having this same

conversation over and over again with you.

Yeah, me too.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Okay?

- I know.

- Okay.
I think I...

I think I just need

some time right now.

On my own.

What does that mean?

Just to figure things out.

Are you serious?

No, come on. Don't...

Don't do that.

Keaton, please. What are you doing?

Come on.

I love you.

I know.

I love you.

Don't do this.

I'm sorry.

[man]

All the time, God is good.

[congregation]

You're alive in us

I will never be the same

No

We'll never be the same

Yeah

We'll never be the same

Dear God, thank you for Harbor House.

Lord, we're broken people.

Please just bring healing and

restoration to our school right now,

um, in this really

difficult time.

We love you and answer to

your beautiful name. Amen.

- Amen.

- Thanks, guys. Have a good one.

[chattering]

- Hey.

- I know, I know. I've been MIA.

It's just been

a really crazy semester.

Yeah, no,

I totally get it.

Well, look, you're more than

welcome to come down to the city

and work on our habitat

project, if you want.

Cool. Yeah.

I'll definitely try.

Did you know that there's

no hyphen in "Kit Kat"?

You mean like Kit Kat,

the candy bar?

[chuckles] Yeah. You know what?

Sorry. Forget it.

I'm being really weird.

Hey, if you need to talk

about anything or whatever,

I'm always here.

Thanks, but I'm fine, really.

See ya.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[chattering, laughing]

[woman laughs, squeals]

[hip-hop music playing]

[chuckles] See, this here is why you should

never talk religion or politics, yo.

Dude, that's all

you talk about.

Will you have Keaton text me

when you get back?

Oh, uh-uh.

Leave me out of this.

This one is on you, Adam.

If she wants to text you,

she will text you.

All right, look, you need

to sleep it off, man.

All right?

- I'm fine.

- Are you good?

Yeah.

All right, man. We're going this way.

Later.

[scoffs]

Yeah, right.

[clattering]

[spraying]

[alarm blaring]

[Dave] Hey!

- Hey! Get back here!

- [Jude] David! David, no!

[sirens wailing]

[male newscaster] The city

was in shock late last night

when a tragic fire

broke out at Saint James.

That is the controversial church

on the campus

of our very own

Hadleigh University.

Both police and fire departments

have not ruled out arson

in the fire that has claimed the life of a

visiting pastor from Ghana, Jude Mbaye.

Police and the FBI are now treating

the case as a hate-crime homicide.

Crowds have already started to gather

outside the church to pay their respects.

[man] This is why a church does

not belong on a state campus.

Favoring one religion over another?

Of course people are angry.

It just invites violence

like this.

What else is it gonna take

for people to wake up?

The church has brought nothing but

controversy to the school for years.

- It's time.

- Our enrollment is down 18 percent.

We stand to lose

$15 million this year alone.

I'm well aware of that, but we can't

pin all of this on Saint James.

Well, this university is in the midst of an

identity crisis, Tom, because of Saint James.

- We're moving backwards.
- This is wrong.

The church

is a historic landmark.

It was here

before the university.

Dave...

is a good man.

What about Jude,

the one who died?

I'm sure he was

a good man too.

Barbara,

with all due respect,

if we kick the church off campus

now after what just happened,

how do you think

that's gonna look?

We're gonna look bad

no matter what we do.

But in the long run, this is

what's best for the students.

Okay.

Tom, I think you should be the

one to talk to Reverend Dave.

Dave is my friend.

Exactly.
[woman] Glory, glory

Hallelujah

Since I've laid my

My burdens down

Our first message,

my friends from Saint James:

We love you.

We're grieving

right alongside you.

Consider us your home

for as long as you need.

Our second message

in this difficult hour,

the same one that Peter, John, and

James spoke on that one dark night

when all their hopes died

on that bloodstained cross.

Weeping may last

through the night,

but joy cometh

in the morning.

And the morning always comes.

[woman]

Yes, I'm going home

To

To live with Jesus

Since I've laid

My burden down

- You okay?

- Yeah.

I'm sorry.

- I never know what to say at these things.

- No, it's okay.

I'll come by, and we can discuss the details,

construction plans, repairs, all that.

Yeah.

Well... when you're ready.

Okay? Don't rush.

Just come on by my office.

- Thanks, Tom.

- Yeah. Hang in there.

- Appreciate it.

- Yeah.

Jude spoke of you

all the time.

His American brother.

I thank God he wasn't alone

in his last moments.

- I'm sorry.

- This is not your fault.

God, he uses all things

for his good.

You know this.

[speaking Swahili]

What does...?

I think that's what

Jude said to me.

Last thing he said to me.

What does that mean?

It's hard

to translate.

In English,

it means, basically,

"Always God is good,

and God is good always."

[sobbing]

[sobbing continues]

Hey.

Dave, what are you

doing here?

Well, it's Saturday,

isn't it?

I mean, people

still need to eat.

Sorry, it's a little bit

light this week,

but, uh, well, everything in

the pantry was ruined, so...

I know. I heard.

I'm so sorry.

And Jude.

Ah, I can't believe it.

Thanks.

I'll be okay.

You hungry? How about I

feed you for a change?

Thanks,

but, uh, rain check?

Okay. You know

where to find me.

[knocking]

- Hey.

- Dave.

Thanks for coming in.

Let's go get

a cup of coffee.

Sure.

Tom, this is insane.

You're gonna use this as an opportunity

to advance some political agenda?

It's not about that.

You don't just knock a church down

because of a little controversy.
Look, the insurance

will cover the damage.

It won't cost

the university anything.

It's not about the money either.

It's really not.

This makes no sense.

We were attacked.

I know.

But, Dave, we're worried about the

school, the welfare of the students.

There are a lot

of factors here.

Look, I know you're upset.

You have every right to be.

I don't like this either.

I hope you get that.

It's all in there.

This was my father's church.

« Prev  |  Next »

I was baptized there.

I spent

my whole life there.

I know.

It's my home, Tom.

It's everything I have.

And it's not for sale.

I don't think

you're hearing me, Dave.

The board has decided.

It's a done deal.

I'm sorry.

This is absurd. They can just

take the church from us?

- I mean, don't we own this land?

- Yes.

- So, how is this legal?

- Eminent domain.

I studied property law

a bit in grad school.

As I understand it, the state

gave all public universities

complete autonomy

over eminent domain.

Which means Hadleigh can

legally force us to sell.

Where are we

supposed to go?

With what they're offering, how can we

build anything anyway? Can we go to court?

- [woman] Another lawsuit? Really?
- [siren wailing, faint]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but

we've burned through any legal reserves.

No land within 30 miles

of here.

We're out of money,

plain and simple.

- None that we can afford.

- I don't see that we have an option here.

You gonna be okay?

All these years,

this church has been here.

When I think about the work

that God has done...

and the lives

that he's changed...

Now it's just

a crime scene.

[sighs]

You know, Keaton stopped by

the other day.

Remember her?

First time I've seen her

in five months.

She's lost.

She needs someone to walk with

her right where she's at.

There are hundreds more

like her, here.

I know, Josh.

I got it, but...

This is why I took on Professor

Radisson, why I left law school...

for this ministry.

Because what we do and how we

do it, it's important, Dave.

Josh, we have no money,

no lawyers.

If I could do something,

I would.

It's just...

It's not that easy.

No, it's not easy.

But it's simple.

Look, I, uh...

[chuckles]

I hate to quote scripture

to a pastor, but, um...

you remember

Luke 12:
48?

Seems like you're the one much

is being asked of this time.

If you decide you want

to fight this...

pretty sure God'll

handle the details.

And I'll be right here

beside you.

[sighs]

[chattering]

[phone ringing]

You got an apartment?

Okay, Apartment "E"?

Thank you.

- [man] Okay, don't you worry about it.

- [woman] Thank you, Pearce.

I swear Mike's

a good kid.

He's just really struggling

right now, with his friends.

- He's just caught up...

- What are you doing here?

[horn honks]

Dad's church.

You'd hardly

even recognize it.

Hey, look, this is a property law case.

It's not really my thing.

Pearce, you're

a social justice attorney.

They're forcing us out because we're a

church. This is exactly your thing.

Let me get this straight.

You drive all the way up here.

You don't even call.

Were you afraid I'd say no?

I didn't know what you'd

say, to be honest.

Look,

I have a little money.

I don't want your money.

This is a legit offer.

Thing goes to trial, jury will probably

give you half that amount, less even.

Money aside, these things

always get messy.

God called me to fight,

and I'm gonna fight.

Ah. God calls you,

you call me.

- Did you see that?

- Right in third position.

Uh-huh. [laughs] Third position?
Mm-hmm.

Adam, what's up, baby?

Where you been?

Can I talk to you?

[sighs, sobs]

What do I do?

What do I do?

I don't know what to do.

I appreciate you coming down. I know

you're busy. It's a lot to ask.

Sure.

Wow. Look at this place.

It got smaller.

What'd you do

to the tree?

Huh?

What's wrong with it?

For one thing,

it's dead.

I figured you could take

your old room.

It's kind of a guest room

and some storage, but...

Wow.

Got the old man's chair.

Allowed to sit in it now?

[sighs]

Sorry to hear

about your friend.

Yeah. Thanks.

But I'm okay.

You know, that's... what

you said at Mom's funeral.

"I'm okay."

Somebody burns your church

down, kills your friend,

but you're okay.

What do you want me

to say, Pearce?

Yes, I'm having

a hard time.

Just doing my best

to get through.

You want something

to drink?

- You got booze?

- No.

Did you buy three boxes

of these for me?

Of course.

I knew you'd come.

Unfortunately, I don't
really eat Zingers anymore.

What do you mean you don't eat Zingers?

You love those things.

- What happened?

- Triple bypass.

Heart surgery?

- You had heart surgery?

- Six years ago.

I had no idea.

Why would you?

Well, we're all caught up.

And I'm gonna hit the hay.

Night.

Night.

[flames crackling]

Eminent domain precedent cases having to do

with churches specifically would be best.

I'll be back

as soon as I can.

Well, just take the meeting

without me, Todd.

No, I realize that, but it's a family

thing. What do you want me to say?

Just make sure everything has the same zip.

Okay? Okay, thanks.

- Make yourself at home.
- You doing all right?

I'll tell you what. You stop asking

me, and I'll stop saying I'm okay.

Fair enough.

Ready to get to it?

I've been getting to it

since 5:
00 a.m.

Okay? I'm starving. There's nothing

in that fridge but moldy casseroles.

- Is Doe's still open?

- I guess.

Well, let's go.

Don't eat that!

The government

takes private property.

They do it all the time.

End of story.

How do you think highways and

railroads get built, man?

But this isn't about a railroad. They said they

need the land to build a new student union.

- I hardly think that qualifies.

- We'll see. It might.

You're not hearing me.

They just want the church gone because

they think it's bad PR for the university.

- Yeah, they're probably right.

- Pearce.

Hey, listen, man.

I said this ain't my thing.

All right? Now you want to tell me

how to fight an eminent domain case?

Why don't I just go home?

You can do it.

[woman chattering, laughing]

This is eerie.

Let's go check it out.

We can't.

It's all locked up.

Last time I was in this building,

Dad was standing right there.

Hey.

[Dave] You got in so

much trouble for that.

[laughing]

So stupid.

[chuckles]

I'm gonna write a letter

to the board of trustees

and introduce myself

as your legal counsel.
I'll politely let them know we

won't be entertaining any more...

backroom offers

between old friends.

Thank you.

One step at a time,

little brother.

His brother is a lawyer?

Are you kidding me?

Of course he's gonna fight back.

What'd you expect?

At least we can offer him

a better settlement.

Something more fair.

And where do we take

that money from?

To pay any more than legally required

is a disservice to the school,

not to mention,

it's unethical.

Be careful not to let your friendship

with Reverend Dave cloud your judgment.

- [sighs]

- Look, I'm on your side.

My advice is take care

of this now,
or the person

who replaces you will.

[man] It's important to remember, in

the midst of all this controversy,

that friends and family are now

grieving the death of this innocent man

killed in this tragic

and senseless way.

I can't even imagine the heartbreak

for his parents, having to...

[stops]

Maybe you just need to

stop thinking about it.

I can't.

How can I?

Everybody thinks...

that he was... murdered.

His-His friends,

his parents.

They deserve to know the truth...

that it was an accident.

Maybe it'll help them.

Maybe that'll give them

some sort of closure.

Okay, so say you confess.

Maybe they'll go easy on you, but...

maybe they won't.

Okay, and then what?

I don't know.

Do you really believe...

that there's a God?

I don't know. I guess.

If he does exist...

do you think that he

would forgive me?

Of course.

[sniffles]

[sobs]

Hey, Pearce. I'm headed to church.

You want to join?

Not one bit.

Look what I found.

What?

Check it out.

My gosh.

Wait, wait, wait. I want

to show you something.

Man.

Stretchy!

Wow.

I thought most of this stuff

would've ended up in a landfill.

- No.

- Hey.

Pearce, Aunt Celia

painted that.

Who cares? It's ugly.

- Bet you can't hit the frog.

- Grow up.

Ten bucks.

Give it to me.

Told you.

Wow. Mandy Stebbins.

Whatever happened to her?

I don't know. If she's not

on Facebook, I have no idea.

[whistles] Hey.

[thuds]

Confirmation.

You still pray for me?

Pearce, can we not?

Why? I'm just curious.

Yeah. Sometimes.

I knew it.

What do you pray for?

I'll come back around?

I'll find peace? What?

- Is this fun for you?

- I'm just making conversation.

Yeah, well, maybe I'll pray that

you make better conversation.

- [phone buzzing]

- Josh?

What? Right now?

[Pearce] Hey, I'm gonna need the

name of a circuit judge down here.

Yes. Now. Today.

- Okay, let me know.

- Dave!

Yeah. What... What's going on?

They won't stop.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Hey. Whoa,

whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop! Stop!

I need you on the other

side of the tape, sir.

- I'm the pastor of this church.

- Well, that may be, but it's not safe.

- It's okay. I'm his attorney.

- Congratulations.

And I'm a Mets fan. Now, move

back, or I call the cops.

- I already called 'em.

- Hey, buddy, I have a demo permit.

- You got a permit to wreck a church on a Sunday? Really?

 Yeah, what can I say?

Signed by the president

of the university.

Thomas Ellsworth.

Unbelievable.

- Just trying to do my job here.

- And I'm trying to do mine. Give me your keys.

You touch this church

before I get back,

I'll have you arrested for

destruction of property, okay?

- You stay put.

- Yeah, what do you want me to do?

I don't know. Stall.

- You have a Bible?

- Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, Gloria Pascual.

I know. I'm already on my way.

What? Are you kidding me?

Ah.

Of course she is.

It's Sunday. Where is she?

Yeah, yeah, I know it.

I know the place.

[Dave] Hey, everyone.

We're gonna hold service.

Right now.

Come on in, guys.

Come on. Come on over here.

- Can I have that Bible?

- Yeah.

So the, uh... the Bible

is the word of God.

But how often do we really

take time to read it?

Let's start at the top,

shall we?

- "In the beginning..."

- Man.

[Pearce]

They haven't even filed yet.

No appraisals,

no escrow deposits.

It's an old-fashioned

end-around. Hold on.

You still there? You still

gotta send me the injunction.

Yeah, pdf's fine.

Okay, hurry up.

Hey, hey, hey! I don't even

know what she looks like.

The judge. Who do you

think I'm talking about?

Yeah, send me a pic.

- [organ playing hymn]

- [choir singing, faint]

"The serpent was more crafty

than any other wild animals

the Lord God had made.

And he said to the woman,

'Did God really say you must not

eat from the tree in any garden?'"

[siren wailing, whooping]

Your Honor,

I am so sorry,

but I'm an attorney, and it's

important that I speak with you.

I'm in the middle

of Mass.

I'm aware. It's very timely.

It involves a church.

And we want to take you live

to the scene right now,

show you what is

developing as we speak.

You are looking here

at Saint James Church.
This is on the campus

of Hadleigh University now.

Local pastor, David Hill,

is basically staging

his very own version of what can only be

described here as a Senate filibuster.

His last-ditch effort to delay

the demolition of his church.

As you can see here, he's literally

reading the Bible cover to cover

while the growing crowds

watch and wait.

Yeah, that's him.

Your little stunt's gonna cost you

and the pastor a night in jail.

Well, I don't think so.

I have a signed injunction from

Judge Pascual that says...

Well, you can read it yourself.

"Cease and desist."

Good? Thank you.

[whistles] Let's go!

[applauding, cheering]

All right, guys, we're done.

Time to leave. Let's go.

- What happened?
- I just bought us three weeks.

Thank you.

So, maybe the university's board

of trustees does have the right

to expropriate

the church property.

But even if it's legal,

is it moral?

Just take a look

at their dilemma here.

This is no longer

a Christian school.

The church really should have

moved off campus 50 years ago

when the state

bought the university.

Instead, funding

is given disproportionately

to one religious organization

while other ones

are being denied.

So you add that to all of this

controversy and now violence.

You tell me, how can they justify

keeping the church on campus?

Thomas Ellsworth is making
the right choice here.

It's not the easy one,

but it is the right choice.

I think their intentions

are pretty clear.

Enough with writing letters.

Let's call 'em out.

Call 'em out

on what, stupidity?

Why are you so reluctant to

accept what's really going on?

Unbelievable. You guys love to

play the victim card, don't you?

- "You guys."

- Look, forget it.

I'm not engaging in a

false narrative with you.

I'm just... I'm not. It undermines

true religious liberty.

You're talking to a guy who went to jail,

who's now having his church stolen.

- How is that false narrative?

- Because it's never that simple.

The Christian church has a long

history of persecuting people,

and then those people push back,

and you guys want to cry victim.

And for every example of someone who's

misrepresented Jesus for some twisted reason,

there are a hundred others

who have done good in his name.

We can debate history all you

want, but I'm talking about now,

about getting my church back.

- Can you just help me do that?

- I'm right here, aren't I?

Just don't drag me

into your personal crusade.

[groans]

- Where you going?

- I'm going to bed.

Thank you, Pastor.

I agree.

- Appreciate it. Thank you.

- [hammering]

Okay.

Pastor Dave.

Keaton, how are you?

I'm okay. So, how's stuff

going with the church?

Have they found

the person who did it?

Not yet. They're still

investigating.

I just figured, like,

fingerprints or whatever.

Ah, it's not quite

like the movies.

It takes time, but I'm sure

they'll catch 'em.

What's gonna happen

when they find 'em?

Put 'em away, I hope,

for a long time.

The order's good for three weeks.

Can't be much longer than that.

Hey, what do you want me to say?

He's my brother.

Do me a favor. Send me some

briefs for Kelo vs. New London.

And what else?

Faith Temple vs. Brighton.

Okay, thanks.

Really, take it with you.

It's getting cold out there.

[woman] All right, bye.

[woman] Smells good.

Coming to collect
on that rain check.

You guys close

growing up?

Yeah. That's why

it was so hard.

Pearce was my hero.

I mean, he had

this strong faith.

But he was so cool

about it.

He made Christianity cool.

Yeah, I know the type.

Went off to law school

when I started college.

- And then something happened. I don't know. He changed.

- [acoustic guitar strumming]

How?

Uh, I don't know.

I guess he was struggling

in his faith.

But it was more

than just confusion.

It was darker than that.

I always hoped that he'd come

around before our parents died.

It was hard on them.

It felt like

they lost their son.

And you lost your hero.

Yeah. I guess I did.

[hammering]

[Meg]

That's amazing, isn't it?

That he can

look at that...

and see that.

You okay?

I feel a little bit

like I'm drifting.

Keep trying to tell myself all the things

that I would tell others who are struggling.

It's not helping.

Think I might

be bad at my job.

I doubt that.

I just want to get back

to the way things were.

How far back is that?

I mean, going back

doesn't really work.

And believe me,

I've tried.
I've gone back

to school,

gone back home,

back to brunette.

But I've never been able to go

back to the way things were.

I hope you're wrong.

'Cause if I can't go back,

I don't know where to go.

[hammering]

[bell tolls]

Are you doing okay?

I told you

to stop asking me that.

Oh, yeah. I forgot.

[Barbara] So, how much?

[Pearce] How much what?

We made you an offer. You're

here to counter, so counter.

Oh, believe me,

I wish I could.

Unfortunately,

despite my counsel,

my client is not

interested in money.

- So, what is your client interested in?

- I want my church back.

Dave, be reasonable.

Reason went out

the window, Tom,

when you brought a demolition

crew to my front door.

[woman] Look, a college campus is

about education, not religion.

We've got limited space. We need

to maximize it for every student.

None of that gives you the

right to tear my church down.

- Well, actually it does.

- Dana, stop.

We're wasting our time here. We both know

that this meeting was simply a courtesy.

And, Barbara, we appreciate it.

It's very courteous.

I get it.

It's a prime piece of land.

You know what I'd do

if it were me?

I'd put in a big student center

with a fancy coffee shop.

The kids would love it.

I mean, to me, that's more

valuable than a dusty old church.

No offense.

But he knows

how I feel about it.

Here's the problem.

What you're doing,

it's against the law.

'Cause eminent domain

doesn't automatically apply

just because you guys

don't like his church.

So, here's my counter.

Withdraw your claim or we sue. See

what a judge has to say about it.

We're done.

This case will never

make it to court.

They didn't look worried,

Pearce.

Oh, they are. That's their

job, to not look worried.

Listen, we gotta change the

conversation in the media.

Okay, we gotta put a

face to the opposition.

- Tom?
- Yeah, Tom.

He's the most visible. He's got the

most to lose. You okay with that?

I'll just tell the truth. People

need to know what he's doing.

Good boy. Let's go.

But Saint James built

Hadleigh University years ago.

Exactly. So you see how

far this has gone.

And now with

the school board's actions,

we've been given no choice

but to seek a legal solution.

All of these college administrators,

they go on and on and on

about diversity and

tolerance and inclusion,

but yet when it's asked of them,

they run you off of campus.

That doesn't sound very tolerant

or inclusive to me.

Tom Ellsworth

is trying to strip away

the foundational element

of this university
because he believes that

it is no longer convenient.

But truth

isn't about convenience.

And faith in God may not be as

popular on campus as it once was,

but people still have a right, a fundamental

human right, to express their beliefs,

even in a public square

at a state university.

If you agree, we're asking that

you make your voices heard.

Send an e-mail. Make a call.

Let Tom Ellsworth

and the university board know

that you believe the church

still has value.

[woman] The gauntlet has been thrown.

And we'll see how people respond.

[Pearce] Dude, almost three million views!

People are mad. This is good.

Does this buy us

the leverage we need?

Well, we'll find out

at the prelim.

Need the judge to let us argue

the case, but... this all helps.

- Nice work.

- Thanks.

[Dave] I think it's time for me

to get back preaching again.

I'm afraid I'm getting so caught

up in all this, I just...

I don't want to lose sight

of my work, you know.

Well, let me know when and where.

I'll be there for sure.

Hey, we're back.

Oh, I turned it off.

What? Don't you want to see

if they get the diamond?

Don't you knock?

- What are you doing?

- I'm on the phone!

- Who you talking to so late?

- None of your business.

Is that Pearce?

Tell him I said hi.

Meg says hi.

- Hi, Meg.

- Let me call you back.

Ooh, what's
the deal there?

There's no deal.

She's a friend of mine.

She runs one of the

ministries we support.

- What do you want, Pearce?

- Nothing.

- Is that my shirt?

- Yeah.

[dog barking]

[chopping]

- What are you doing?

- I told you, this tree's dead. It's gonna fall on the house.

I didn't ask you to cut it down!

I can do it myself!

- Can you, now?

- Yeah, I could.

- Go for it.

- All right, fine.

You might want to back up.

- Gotta do better than that.

- It was a warm-up.

[clears throat]

Still warming up?

Careful with that

weak heart of yours.
Ha-ha. Funny guy. Watch this.

Get ready

to yell "timber."

I got a better idea.

[electric saw revs]

Oh, now we're talking.

Yeah!

- Okay, give it a push.

- All right, hold up.

- Tell me when you're ready.

- Yeah! Go!

Ah! We almost got it!

Oh! Yeah!

- [grunts]

- Yes!

Just promise me you'll

plant something new here.

Mom liked

pomegranate trees.

Do you even believe

in what we're fighting for?

Do I believe in your right

to keep your church? Yes.

But the rest of it,

you know the answer.

So, why help me?

What do you think

I do for a living?

Do you think I need

to have the belief system

of every crackhead

I defend to defend 'em?

So, religion has no value except

for the laws that protect it?

Value? I don't know.

But people have evolved.

Science has replaced

superstition.

- Church has outlived its usefulness.

- Wow!

Okay, I don't expect you to agree, but

that's okay 'cause this is healthy.

It's a healthy discourse.

Pearce, people are broken.

They're... They're lost.

They're searching

for meaning, for purpose.

Church is the answer

to those problems, huh?

Church is a place for people to seek, to

grapple with those difficult questions.

To find hope and...

and truth.

And you know that.

Or at least you used to.

Why do you need me to agree with you

about everything? I'm just your lawyer.

I didn't come here to debate

religion or do your landscaping.

But, man,

you're my little brother.

And I don't like to see

people push you around.

And that's why

I'm helping you.

And right now, that answer's

gotta be good enough for you.

[Pastor] Now, this whole situation

brings you to the cross.

And the cross is both

vertical and horizontal.

Vertical is me and God,

God and me.

My relationship with Christ.

The horizontal part,

you and I.

Sometimes we get so
caught up in the vertical

we forget the horizontal,

forget each other.

Yeah, but it's at the intersection

where Jesus comes in.

That nexus, and that's where Paul's words in

Galatians are so powerful and compelling.

Even Jews and gentiles

are fellow citizens.

So, with all the noise

and anger out there right now,

it's peace

that we have to think about.

And it's gonna require one thing...

It's gonna require sacrificing.

At the end of the day, we can't

forget that Christ's forgiveness

came about via the conduit

of the sacrifice.

And we are called, believe

it or not, to do the same.

[chattering, laughing]

- Hey.

- Hey.

How are you?

Been better.
Do you know why my mom

divorced my dad?

He used to beat her.

I was nine...

when she left him.

You know what

our church did?

They called her a sinner.

They said that if she married

again, she'd be an adulterer.

They humiliated her.

What I remember most

about that time

is the sound of my mother

crying herself to sleep.

I'm so sorry. I...

So, yeah,

I get angry sometimes.

But I didn't... I didn't mean

for anybody to get hurt.

I know you didn't.

[sighs]

For what it's worth,

I prayed about it.

And?

No answer.
- [all laughing]

- And did you believe him?

Of course

I believed him.

I was seven years old. I

believed whatever he told me.

"Dave, you can make

your own 7 Up.

All you need is just

water and salt."

- Did you drink it?

- [Dave] It was terrible, obviously.

But I kept adding

more and more salt,

just waiting for

those little bubbles.

Oh, poor guy. He drank the whole bottle.

Two liters of saltwater.

[chuckling] But I gotta

hand it to Pearce.

He waited by my bedside all night

long to make sure that I didn't die.

Yeah. That's what brothers do.

They look out for each other.

- Hear, hear.

- Hear, hear, Brother.

Thank you.

- I really thought you were gonna die.

- [Meg laughs]

Hadleigh University is being flooded with

calls and e-mails from angry citizens,

and it seems

Chancellor Ellsworth,

well, taking the brunt

of that anger.

Kayla's asking

for her bedtime story.

[cell phone buzzes]

Don't answer it, Tom.

Hello?

Hello!

Hel... Stop calling me.

[glass shatters]

- What was that?

- Stay here, stay here!

What?

[Kayla] Daddy!

Kayla! Come here, baby.

[tires squealing]

What was that?

Go on upstairs.

It's okay, baby.

It's okay.

[Meg] I'm very proud of you.

Of me? For what?

I get the feeling fighting's

not really your thing.

But it's important,

what you're doing.

It's inspiring.

I was just thinking

about that sculptor,

chiseling away

at that rock.

It's okay to be broken,

Dave.

It means God's

still shaping you.

- [car approaches]

- I'm honored to be a part of it.

[brakes squeal]

Tom?

I'm getting

death threats, Dave!

Somebody threw a brick

through my window!

- Okay, just take it easy, okay?

- No, Kayla could've been hurt!

- I don't know anything about that. I'm sorry.

- No, no. You did this!

Hey, hey, hey.

- [grunting]

- Pearce!

Hey! Get off him!

You brought

the fight to us, Tom.

[car door slams,

engine starts]

I'll get you some ice.

- You all right?

- Yeah, I'm fine.

Maybe we should

just call it a night.

Yeah. I'll...

I'll just get my stuff.

I didn't realize

Tom was a psychopath.

Well, he's just scared.

Thanks.

Way to impress the lady,

by the way.

Well, it's kind of

my signature move.

Invite a girl over and then

get punched in the face.

Works every time.

Let's see.

[sighs]

Ow. What'd you

do that for?

You'll be all right.

[Josh] Cottonwood Christian Center vs.

Cypress Redevelopment Agency?

I got that.

Give me something else.

Hey, I got

some leftover pizza.

Yeah.

Josh, you're a smart kid.

Why'd you give up on law school?

Well, I wouldn't say

I gave up on it.

Once I spent time

on a college campus,

I realized there was

a real need there.

Ministry's just another way

for me to serve.

What kind of law

were you studying?

Same as you.

Civil rights, social justice.

Really? 'Cause you don't

strike me as a liberal.

- Give the kid a break.

- What?

I don't think standing up for the oppressed

is exclusive to a political agenda.

Well, let me ask you this.

Do you think that

your religious beliefs

get in the way of

real social change?

No, my beliefs are

the foundation of change.

The belief that every human

is made in the image of God.

I mean, Jesus was the ultimate

social justice warrior.

He said the lives

of children mattered

and regarded women

with honor and dignity

in a cultural moment where a woman's

testimony wasn't even permissible

in a court of law.

He consistently stood up for the

mistreated and the marginalized.

Well, I've been doing this

a long time,

and I wish I'd seen those words

put into action more often.

Yeah. Me too. We're all

responsible for our part,

but it's grace and then justice,

not the other way around.

Why do you serve the court,

not the Lord?

We should follow the example of Jesus

because... without grace as our goal,

we're just, you know...

we're just fighting.

[Dave] Amen.

Let's say grace.

Dear Lord, thank you for this day.

Thank you for this food.

Bless it to our bodies and forgive

Pearce for eating before grace.

- Amen.

- Amen.

That's not funny.

[Dave] So, if the judge agrees to let

us go to trial, do we have a shot?

Pearce] If we go to

trial, we're gonna win.

Public's on our side,

jury's on our side.

- What if the judge says no?

- Then we're done.

[Dave] Great.

[sighs] Am I allowed

to talk in there?

Please don't.

You know, I've been

thinking, I like this Meg.

She's the good kind

of Christian, authentic.

You ought to seal the deal

before she gets wise.

- It's not exactly great timing.

- [clucks]

Maybe I don't want to

rush into things.

Try not to end up

with two ex-wives.

[scoffs] I forgot to tell you.

It's three now.

Three?

Hadleigh offered a sum that's fair

market value for the property.

It's perfectly fair.

But Saint James' value can't

be measured only in dollars.

The court has no standard

for determining intrinsic value.

Your Honor, Saint James

has had a positive impact

on this community

for generations.

The university concedes the

plaintiff is not without merit,

but we question

the relevancy to this case.

- May I say something?

- You brought the lawsuit.
If you want to assess the value of the church

to this community, just turn on the news.

The community

is speaking loudly.

This is what victory feels like.

We're going to court!

Come on, man, this is a big win.

Be happy.

- Ow!

- Be happy!

- Stop it.

- Be happy.

Ow! Will you just...

Be happy. Oh!

There's my little brother!

No, I'm not happy

suing my friend.

I'm not happy

suing anybody.

Okay. Well, number one, Tom

Ellsworth is not your friend.

And number two, I'm going to

bed, 'cause you're a buzzkill.

Paul tells us that

even if you can speak

the language
of both man and angels,

if you lack love,

brothers and sisters,

you're just making

a lot of noise.

Maybe you're

the world's smartest person

and you have a great faith

that can move mountains,

or you give all your money

to the poor,

or you give your body

over to hardship.

My Bible says, without love...

you're saying nothing.

Without love,

you gain nothing.

And without love...

you are nothing.

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Adam. Hey!

Pastor Dave?

- Is it true?

- I don't... I don't know.

- Is it? Tell me!

- Adam!
[grunts]

- You killed Jude, didn't you?

- Hey, hey, hey. Take it easy, pal.

Get off of me!

Get off of me!

What is wrong

with you?

[man] Hey, man,

what is going on?

[indistinct chattering]

[man] That is bad stuff.

[beeping]

[man]

Know what I'm saying?

I just took your fingerprints

and he's gonna book you.

Is this, like,

a mug shot?

Yes. Stand there.

[Newscaster]

After a shocking confrontation

by Reverend David Hill

on Hadleigh campus,

the suspect has been identified as 21-year-old

Hadleigh student Adam Richertson.

The college senior has no criminal
record and no history of violence,

which has left many people wondering what

inspired his deadly attack on a church.

[sniffles]

I'm so sorry.

[Teo]

This is beyond messed up.

I know Adam. He's a

good dude, sincerely.

And Pastor Dave needs to take

a page from his own book.

So, you know what? We're

having a protest Friday night.

Saint James. Make sure

your voice is heard.

Be there. Be mad. 'Cause

this fight is far from over.

Have you seen this?

Media works both ways.

This gives us

a real shot.

Get the team working on it. I'm gonna

send a gift basket to Reverend Dave.

We condemn the hateful

actions of Adam Richertson

in the strongest possible terms.
They do not represent the values of

our esteemed Hadleigh University.

We will not stand for

violence or discrimination

in any form, of any people,

regardless of their religious

backgrounds and beliefs.

We've taken the immediate steps

to expel Mr. Richertson,

and we have encouraged

the state to prosecute him

to the fullest extent

of the law.

None of this, however,

should excuse

the actions

of Reverend Dave Hill.

His outburst has made

our position stronger...

that Saint James Church has become a

beacon of violence and controversy,

and it has no place here

on Hadleigh University campus.

Good day.

[reporters clamoring]
So, Reverend Hill goes after Ellsworth.

Now Ellsworth fires back.

And meanwhile, this kid Adam Richertson

is caught in the cross fire.

Judge, this kid

killed somebody.

Oh, come on. It was an accident.

Everybody knows that.

The judge and jury's

gonna decide that.

Speaking of judge and jury,

who's gonna hold

this reverend accountable?

Okay, there's a big difference

between a death and a fight.

This reverend

did attack this kid,

and now he's calling for the kid

to get put away for 30 years?

That's insane.

And there you have it.

Both sides are totally fired up.

Huge protest is planned

for the weekend.

And this is teed up

for disaster.
That's the sign of the times,

isn't it?

Everybody's yelling.

Nobody's listening.

[Keaton] It doesn't make sense.

Nothing makes sense.

Adam never meant

to hurt anyone.

I'm not saying he shouldn't

own up to what he did,

but I just don't see

God's mercy here.

Especially

not from Pastor Dave.

He's human, Keaton.

Yeah, but he's supposed

to be a man of God.

What kind of example

is that?

I mean, if being a Christian

doesn't affect the way we act,

then... how do we actually know

that our values and beliefs

are any more valid

than anyone else's?

[scoffs]
Can I show you something?

A friend said this to me

when I was in high school.

[chuckles]

It was inspiring.

It's why I came to Hadleigh. I

wanted to be a part of something.

At the time, I'd never even

considered that God could be dead.

But now...

It's okay, Keaton. It's good

to ask difficult questions.

God can use it. He's not

afraid of your uncertainty.

But I am.

You know, I think about

John the Baptist.

If anyone should've been sure

about Jesus, it was him.

And John said, "I've

seen, and I testify

that this is

the Son of God."

And then he got locked up

in Herod's little jail cell,

and the doubts started
messing with his head.

"What if I'm wrong

about this Jesus guy?

What if all the stories I've heard

about him healing people...

What if

it's just ridiculous?"

So John sent some of his friends

to watch Jesus and report back.

And Jesus told them, "Tell John

what you've seen and heard.

The blind receive their sight.

The lame walk.

The lepers are cleansed.

The deaf hear."

John needed to doubt.

Why, though?

Because uncertainty led

to the pursuit of truth.

I know it hurts...

to be in the fire.

And as painful and confusing

as all of this is...

it just might be exactly

where God wants you right now.

[scoffs]
Well, it ain't good.

Public opinion, your reputation...

It's all gonna take a hit.

I guess we're gonna

have to wait and see.

The kid confessed,

so that helps.

I just wanna know

what you were thinking.

I wasn't thinking,

obviously.

You get an anonymous text,

then you go nuts on somebody?

I'm not interested

in rehashing this, okay?

Sorry, folks.

[alarm beeping]

[alarm stops]

- What's going on with you?

- I'm a mess!

I don't know what I'm doing. I don't

know what God wants me to do.

And I don't know why any

of this is even happening!

- First, you gotta settle down.

- Oh, I'm sure this is fun for you.

You get a front-row seat to watch your

little brother, Dave, just self-destruct.

That's probably why you drove

down here in the first place.

- Where are you going?

- Oh, I'm walking.

- You can't.

- Watch me.

Pearce.

What?

You have the car keys.

[keys jingle]

- Dave.

- Hey, Roland.

- How you doing?

- Doing all right.

You're sure on TV a lot

for someone doing all right.

All this business with Tom

Ellsworth, and now the boy.

Well, I didn't ask

for this fight.

That's a fact, but here it is.

Keep your eye on

what's important.

I think what's important
is that Christians stop

rolling over all the time.

When is it

our right to fight?

I'm tired of being

pushed around.

I'm tired of turning

the other cheek.

Oh, so now you're tired.

A minute ago,

you were doing all right.

I'm just saying, I think it's time that

Christians stand up for themselves.

Mmm. Well...

People were drawn to Jesus

because of his... his love.

His patience and kindness.

He managed to preach

the truth

without losing himself

in the bargain.

He was gentle with the meek and

hard as a rock with the arrogant.

And when he talked

to the foolish,

he was patient
and never became

a fool himself.

And he was never proud,

David.

This has nothing to do

with pride, Roland.

And no offense, but maybe you'd

understand a little better

if you were the one

being attacked.

Brother, who do you think

you're talking to?

I'm a black preacher

in the Deep South.

I could build you a church with all the

bricks been thrown through my windows.

You're right. I'm sorry.

You gotta work through the pain.

We cannot respond to hate

with more hate.

And don't forget...

we are called to be a light

in the darkness.

I miss Jude.

[sniffles]

And I miss you too, Lord.

I'm trying to do the right thing.

I just...

I don't know

what that is anymore.

Hey there.

Just checking on you.

I saw the news. I can't

imagine what you're feeling.

I'd like to see you.

How about a little adventure?

I'm gonna send you

a dropped pin.

I'll meet you there

in an hour?

It's my church away from church.

It's where I come

to be alone with God.

I can see why.

What do you got there?

I light a candle

for people I'm praying for.

Folks I meet at the restaurant,

friends from AA.

You.

I just love the way he uses

other people in our lives to...

to bring us comfort, to...

remind us that we're loved.

I think you need

to be reminded right now.

God is here.

I'm here.

And you're loved.

[door opens, closes]

I thought you were out

with Meg.

You screw that up too?

What are you doing?

Listen, I'm gonna fly

back to Chicago tonight.

I left you the name and number

of an attorney friend of mine.

She'll take good care

of you. My treat.

Why? Just because

we had an argument?

- It's just time.

- Pearce, are you kidding me?

[scoffs]

You know what? Go ahead.

Oh, I haven't done enough

for you, huh?

Come down here,

put my life on hold.

What, I'm the bad guy now

'cause I'm bailing? Is that it?

Let's not get into it.

It's not worth it.

No, I-I think it's worth it.

Let's get into it.

It's water under the bridge.

I forgave you years ago.

You forgave me? For what exactly?

For leaving?

You forced me out. You and Mom and Dad.

All you.

- Give me a break. No one forced you out.

- Oh, yes, you did!

I wasn't welcome in this house once

I started asking tough questions.

Is that what they were?

Tough questions?

"Oh, why does God allow bad

things to happen to good people?"

Or, "How do we even know

God exists?" Really?

Just back off,

little brother.

Maybe you were just

trying to impress a coed

with how worldly and

forward thinking you were.

I guess your Christian

roots were too provincial.

At least I know what's happening in the

world five miles outside the county line!

You're right,

I don't know!

And I don't know why

you left me

to take care of Mom and

Dad when they were sick!

Why did you leave me to take care

of everything after they were gone?

Do you have any idea what

you did to Mom and Dad?

You broke their hearts!

You're the one

that broke my heart!

You really don't get that,

do you?

You didn't take the time to

understand what I was going through.

I was trying to sort out

my own faith!

My own sense of God!

I was changing, and you

all hated me for it.

And that's the truth, David.

[panting]

What am I doing wrong?

Just show me.

Please.

[panting]

[car door opens]

[newscaster on TV] As the battle

rages on in Hope Springs,

police say they're expecting

hundreds of students and locals

for a protest outside

Saint James Church.

- Some showing support for the church...

- [knocking]

Keaton.

Did you ever even stop to ask

why Adam threw that brick?

He's tired of feeling

judged and rejected

by the people who should
be loving and accepting.

You want to know why our

generation's leaving the church?

It's because the whole world

knows what the church is against

but it's getting harder and

harder to know what it's for.

You're right.

There's something I need to do.

Will you come with me?

[Keaton] Pastor Dave is here to see you...

if you want.

Sure.

Okay.

[lock clicks]

[door closes]

I'm the one

that sent you that message.

I needed you to know.

I guess I was hoping

that you'd...

Forgive.

This is, uh...

This is Jude's Bible.

He'd want you

to have it.
I'm so sorry.

[sobbing]

About Jude,

I am so... sorry.

We want to plead

for leniency for Adam.

I'm the only witness

the state has.

I'll tell the DA

what I saw,

that Jude's death couldn't

have been premeditated.

I spoke with Jude's parents.

They feel the same.

[sighs] We're hoping the state

will agree to a lesser charge.

Drop it from a felony

to a misdemeanor.

Hopefully, he doesn't have

to do any more jail time.

Why?

The boy shouldn't be collateral

damage for our fight, Tom.

[sighs]

There's gonna be a big protest

tonight at the church.

Town's on edge. The whole

thing has gone too far.

- Didn't have to.

- You're right.

And I'm sorry.

I truly am.

For everything.

Me too. My part.

[sighs]

So, what about

the church?

[protestors] The church must go!

Enough is enough!

The church must go!

Enough is enough!

The church must go!

Enough is enough!

[chanting continues]

Can I talk to them?

This is my church.

The church must go!

Enough is enough!

One God! One truth!

One God! One truth!

The church must go!
Enough is enough!

One God!

The church must go!

Enough is enough!

The church must go!

Enough is enough!

[chanting continues]

[Dave]

May I have your attention?

Can I please say something?

Get out of here!

Excuse me. May I just say...

May I say something?

Can I please say something?

Please! Please! Let's hear

what the man has to say.

[Dave] Thank you.

I came here tonight...

to ask all of you

for your forgiveness.

The other night, I stood

before this burnt altar...

and I heard God's voice for the

first time in a long time.

Couldn't have been clearer.

He said, "This building...

is not my church."

Although Saint James

has meant everything to me...

although

it's been my whole life...

I would gladly give all

of that up for this.

For you.

So I am withdrawing my

lawsuit against the school

and dropping the charges

against Adam Richertson.

I've also agreed to turn this

land over to Hadleigh University

so that they can use it

to build a new student center,

a long overdue addition

to this campus.

Chancellor Ellsworth

has assured me

that this new facility will have

a space for our Harbor House,

led by our campus minister,

Josh Wheaton.

As for me...
I'm going to build

a new church.

And I don't know how,

I don't know where yet,

but I'm willing to bet that

God can handle the details.

And I'd love your help.

All of you.

We can build something new

together.

But for now, please,

put down those signs.

Put 'em down.

Please.

Go ahead, lay them down.

Put 'em down.

Everyone.

Let's stop shouting at each

other and start listening.

It's the only way

that things will get better.

Now, please,

take these candles...

and let's stand together.

Thank you.

[Dave]
Let this candle represent

peace, hope... and unity.

And love.

[Keaton narrating] Sometimes

all it takes is a spark.

Something very small.

But the spark becomes a flame.

And if that flame spreads,

the power can be so overwhelming it

transforms everything around it.

[TV host] The divisive

pastor at the center

of weeks

of vehement protest

has suddenly become a symbol of

forgiveness and unity in Hope Springs.

And what was once

a city divided

is now a community

coming together to heal.

You can't be taken seriously as a leader

if you roll over for your enemies.

No, I don't think that

Reverend Hill rolled over.

I think that he saw people suffering

and he made a sacrifice for them.

Surely, the parallels to

Christianity are not lost on you.

So, I mean, call it a

publicity stunt if you want,

but we were there.

I mean, this dude's legit.

He would have won.

He could have given Hadleigh the

finger, but he handed it back.

He cares more about this community

than winning. I believe that.

Perhaps the rest of the country

can take a page from this book.

- [woman] Your two o'clock is here.

- Send her in, Charlotte.

Hey. Let me guess.

You're probably on

another phone interview.

Listen, if you're going to do

the media circuit thing,

why don't you get

a big-boy haircut,

get Meg to take you

clothes shopping.

Um, give me a call when you

get your head above water.

I want to hear about the

plans for the new digs.

I'm proud of you,

little brother.

Take care, David.

- Hi.

- Hey.

[all cheering]

Congratulations.

I think you're

gonna love it here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good stuff.

You know what I was thinking?

What's that?

Jude was right.

God is good.

All the time.

And all the time...

God is good.

[Keaton narrating]

I can hear you again.

And even though I know

you were never really gone...

it's good to have you back.

[man] My God's not dead

He's surely alive

He's living on the inside

Roaring like a lion

God's not dead

He's surely alive

He's living on the inside

Roaring like a lion

Roaring

Roaring

- He's roaring

- Roaring

Roaring like a lion

Yeah

- Roaring

- Roaring

- He's roaring

- Let heaven roar

- And the fire fall

- And fire fall

- Father Come shake the ground

- Come shake the ground

- And with the sound

- Of revival

- Shake one more time

- And let heaven roar
- We need your fire

- Let fire roar

- 'Cause our hearts are cold

- Come shake the ground

- Shake the ground

- With the sound

- We need you now

- Of revival

Sing it one more time

Let heaven roar

- If we ever Needed you before

- And fire fall

- This world needs you now

Come shake the ground

- Shake this ground

- With the sound

- With your revival

- Of revival

Hallelujah! Whoo!

My God's not dead

He's surely alive

He's living on the inside

Roaring like a lion

God's not dead

He's surely alive
He's living on the inside

Roaring like a lion

- Oh, yeah

- He's surely alive

He's living on the inside

Roaring like a lion

God's not dead

He's surely alive

- He's living on the inside - Come on!

- Roaring like a lion

- Roaring

- Roaring

- He's roaring

- Roaring

- Oh, yeah

- Roaring like a lion

- Roaring like a lion

- Can't you hear him roaring?

- Roaring

- He's roaring

Roaring

Roaring like a lion

Oh, yeah

And these are they

Who have come

Out of great tribulation
They have washed their robes

And made them white

In the blood of the lamb

Forevermore

[song ends]

[woman]

Is my soul forever broken?

Is my heart beyond repair?

'Cause my wounds

Are left here open

And I'm struggling for air

I bet you watch for the drop

I'm hoping to God

That I'll reach the top

Let me tell you

That you're wrong

'Cause I am resilient

And there is no fear in me

When I fall down

I get up

No, I'm not afraid

To hit the ground

'Cause the sky is where

I will rebound

No, I'm not afraid

To hit the ground

'Cause I am resilient

- And there is no fear in me

- I will rebound

- When I fall down, I get up

- I will rebound

No, I'm not afraid

To hit the ground

I will rebound

The healing that happened here

can happen anywhere.

I'm Michael Tait

of the Newsboys.

The cure to

what plagues our world

isn't more division

or finger-pointing.

It's hope and unity and letting

Christ's love shine through us.

The beauty

of the human race

is found in the diversity

of the human race.

Let's celebrate this.

Since the very first

God's Not Dead movie,

we set out to inspire

a movement to show

God is alive

and still working today.

It's not easy to see in a world

of division and anger and pain,

but God remains good

all the time.

We just need to

show it through our words,

our actions, and our love.

It's our chance to be

a light in darkness.

So let's start right now.

As you leave the theaters,

share a message

of integrity and unity

with your family and friends

on social media

with the #GodsNotDead

and by downloading

the "God's Not Dead" app.

Together, we can create

a wave of hope

and inspiration online.

Our world desperately
needs to see the light.

Let's share it.

Let's be it.

God bless you.