Acts of Thaddeus Assyrian Heritage Film

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

The up-coming film “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” is an Assyrian heritage film that tells the story of Mar Addai, who is known as the Apostle Thaddeus in English, and Mar Mari, the Apostle Mari who founded the Assyrian Church of the East.

The script is based on the story of the Apostle Thaddeus as recorded in The Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius, written around 325 A.D. and two ancient Syriac Aramaic texts, The Doctrine of Addai and The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus.

According to the Gospels, the fame of Jesus spread afar so that sick people as far as Syria came to be healed by Jesus (Matthew 4:24). An Assyrian king named Abgar, who ruled over the city-state of Edessa, send messengers to Jesus (John 12:20-24). They arrived days before Jesus was crucified. Jesus promised those messengers that he would send one of his disciples to Edessa to heal the king. After the resurrection, Thomas, inspired by the Holy Spirit, sent Thaddeus to Edessa, to spread the Good News taught by Jesus Christ, and to heal the King. At the preaching of Thaddeus, the Assyrian people believed and were converted.

WALKER-CABLE PRODUCTIONS AND THE FILM-MAKING PROCESS

Lorenzo Lamas has agreed to play the lead role of the Apostle Thaddeus.

Linda George has agreed to play the role of Queen Meherdath, the wife of King Abgar of Edessa.

The production team is Sam Cable, the producer, and Chuck Walker, the director, of WalkerCable Production.

Stephen Andrew Missick has written the script and it is based on the ancient historical sources, which are mostly in Aramaic.

Chuck Walker and Sam Cable specialize in the making of moderate to low budget movies. They have made over twenty-five films over their career, mostly, but not exclusively, westerns. With the rise of new technologies and independent film-making, high quality professional movies can be made on a modest budget. WalkerCable is capable of producing such a film.

The movie will be filmed at Alamo Village, a set outside of San Antonio, Texas. Rev. Missick has scouted out the set and much of it will work for biblical times. Alamo City was built by John Wayne and has been used over the decades for several movies.

LORENZO LAMAS

Lamas said, “I have worked with Walker Cable Productions in several films on the course of the last several years and it is my understanding that they will be producing a film on the Apostle Thaddeus in the near future. Based on my former association with this company and the integrity of Sam Cable and Chuck Walker as friends and film makers, I have a strong interest in being involved in this project as an actor in the title role of Thaddeus. I find the script interesting and captivating and look forward to making this project a big success.   I am thrilled to be working on Thaddeus, the new WalkerCable production. These are terrific guys and a wonderful production company that I have had the pleasure of working with many, many times in the past. So, if you have the opportunity to invest in a WalkerCable production don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. So, I am excited about being a part of this Christian movie. I think it is an important time for our society to embrace the Christian faith. I am looking forward to it.”

WHY SUPPORT THE PROJECT

Based on recent performance of Faith based and Biblical based movies, “The Acts of Thaddeus” has great potential to be a successful film.

The film is also educational. It is based on the literature and history of the ancient Assyrian Church of the East.

The movie is cultural. It is a celebration of the Assyrian culture.

The film is timely and relevant. With the rise of ISIS, radical Islam and the increase of persecution of Christians around the world and particularly in the Middle East, “The Acts of Thaddeus” can draw attention to and create awareness of the heritage of Middle East Christianity and the threat it now faces.

The movie is Ecumenical. It is about Christian unity. The story of the Apostles occurred before divisions developed within Christianity. Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants and members of the Assyrian Church of the East can embrace the story of the Apostle Thaddeus.

In the film, Thaddeus proclaims the message of love, forgiveness, and compassion that is the heart of the Christian faith.

STEPHEN ANDREW MISSICK

Reverend Stephen Andrew Missick is the author of several books including The Words of Jesus in the Original Aramaic: Discovering the Semitic Roots of Christianity and The Assyrians: The Oldest Christian People and three articles on the history of the Assyrian Church of the East in the Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies. He is an ordained minister of the gospel. He graduated from Sam Houston State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a doctoral student at Houston Graduate School of Theology. Rev. Missick has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and has lived among the Coptic Christians in Egypt and Assyrian Christians in Syria. He served as a soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2004 and as a chaplain in the Army National Guard in Baghdad in 2009 and 2010. He is the screen writer for the upcoming Assyrian heritage film The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus which is set to star Lorenzo Lamas in the title role. 

“The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” is an upcoming faith-based movie set to star Lorenzo Lamas as Thaddeus, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. The script is based on the Holy Bible and other ancient sources such as Eusebius’s “Church History.” The purpose of the film is to create awareness of the Assyrian Christians, their ancient Christian culture and the danger they now face from ISIS as well as to promote Christian unity and the simple message of love and compassion taught by Jesus Christ. The film is non-denominational, however, the screen-writer has a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the script is endorsed by the Assyrian Church of the East, the traditional church of Assyrian Christians. For more information about the project contact: Stephen Andrew Missick PO Box 882, Shepherd, Texas 77371 nestorius1@hotmail.com 281-592-4104.

www.youtube.com/aramaic12

Please support this project. We are attempting to raise $120,000 in order to meet are budget goal. To support the project go to the Acts of Thaddeus Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/360405228/apostle-thaddeus or https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-acts-of-the-apostle-thaddeus/x/10257901

For more information: www.aramaicherald.blogspot.com

The Apostle Thaddeus and Thomas

The Assyrian Church of the East was founded by three Apostles, Saint Thaddeus, see the Acts Of Thaddeus​, Saint Thomas, and Saint Mari. The story of Thomas and his journey to the Assyrian city of Edessa and his journey to India will be featured in the Acts of Thaddeus movie. Follow us on twitter at "SaintThaddeus" or like us on facebook: Acts of Thaddeus to keep up with our progress and for a behind the scenes look.

Thomas is holding a spear in this Icon I drew-I drew-because he was martyred with a spear, according to the ancient traditions.

https://twitter.com/SaintThaddeus.   

We still need to raise some additional funding in order to achieve full financing of the Acts of Thaddeus movie starring Lorenzo Lamas. To help support this project go to:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/360405228/apostle-thaddeus.

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

New Videos and other recent postings regarding "The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus"

Promo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlFORNbUxOA

historical background

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXIcoeoBr0

Chuck Walker discusses his vision for directing Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht6cEDyWGMU

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus location

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xmwW-_xYoo

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus: Artwork for the Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEc_rC1GM7c

Costume Design for The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S7aBPaLn7k

Stephen and Mar Awa discuss the Thaddeus movie

Mar Awa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id3a1r9jer4

Stephen and Romena Jonas Interview about Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be1SbFbzCvw&feature=player_embedded

Stephen and Romena Jonas Skype Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-IywU6PZto

Stephen Missick and Romena Jonas Interview (1)

http://youtu.be/aMglKf9hC1I

Billy Haido Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohp7YiaEaoY

AFR Video

AFR: http://youtu.be/fDmt2GdzMh0.

Walker Cable Demo Reel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCkClQgAkS0&list=UUUYbyISn2CGmNvKCcfb4Zgw

Thaddeus and the Shroud

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhIfw7bhCJU&list=UUUYbyISn2CGmNvKCcfb4Zgw

Acts of Apostle Thaddeus: historical sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLeQe4Fza2U&list=UUUYbyISn2CGmNvKCcfb4Zgw

The Assyrians

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2uXpBbcUAM&list=UUUYbyISn2CGmNvKCcfb4Zgw

Production Art and Icons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXO3zxvo8W4&list=UUUYbyISn2CGmNvKCcfb4Zgw

Why Thaddeus?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lenr5oiY0&list=UUUYbyISn2CGmNvKCcfb4Zgw

 Digital Bible Society: Acts of Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc9BFkTc3Zg

Interview with Lorenzo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc51mSb4rrw

 ISIS lecture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeT9W25Z_90

 

The Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/360405228/apostle-thaddeus

 Indie Gogo:

 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-acts-of-the-apostle-thaddeus/x/10257901

Radio:

http://likeflintradio.com/latest-show-lfr-show-29-994

I.S.I.S.’s War on Middle East Christians

Christians Under Siege: There's no time to waste, we must act now

Stephen Andrew Missick has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and has visited Aramaic-speaking Assyrian Christian communities along the Khabour River Valley in Eastern Syria-communities that are now under attack by ISIS. Who are these Christian groups being attacked by ISIS? What can Christians in America do to help-to find out more come to lecture presented by Stephen Missick -

 

Meeting at the Nathaniel Center, 804 Russell Palmer, Kingwood, Texas

 

March 26, 2015, Thursday, 7 P.M., In the Large Hebrew Classroom upstairs. For more information call 281-592-4104 or email nestorius1@hotmail.com.

The Emergent Church

While America Evangelicalism becomes more diverse, new leadership representing the diversity is emerging.

In a recent edition of “Christianity Today” it was discovered that favorite authors of Christians in Africa are Ben Carson, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, and Joyce Meyer. (See “Christianity Today,” October 2014, p. 22). This indicates that leading American Evangelistic pastors carry a lot of influence in Africa. This will probably be the case for some time to come. What this indicates is that these men and women need to consider that Africa is a part of their audience and thus they need to speak to Africa.

In the same edition of Christianity today there is an article about Asian American Christians entitled “Silent No More: Asian American Christians are Growing in Influence and Audience. Will They be Embraced by Their Broader Church Family?” by Helen Lee (Christianity Today, October, 2014, 39-47). This was the cover story. The article contained some interesting facts such as the Asian American community is made up of 34 nationalities, there are 7,123 Asian American churches and six ethnic groups, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, Indian, and Japanese make up 83% of Asian Americans.

In God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith Is Changing the World written by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, who are both journalists for the Economist, the authors visit an illegal but tech-savvy Chinese house church, and find the Bible study leader who seems to be heavily influenced by the prosperity gospel (pages 1-4). In my opinion, that is bad theology, but probably not surprising to find these ideas in a culture that is attempting to become an economic superpower. (Brother Yun, the “Heavenly Man,” has written about his experiences in the Chinese house-church movement and the persecution that he has endured.)

As America and the world becomes more diverse, leadership is emerging that represents the diversity. This is seen even in the Republican Party. Nikki Haley is an Asian American from a Sikh background who is the Republican governor of South Carolina. Piyush “Bobby” Jindal, governor of Louisiana, is from a Punjabi background. Both Haley and Jindal have converted to Christianity. (However, apparently Haley practices both Christianity and Sikhism.) African American leadership is also starting to emerge in the Republican Party with Allen West, Mia Love (a Mormon), and Herman Cain. (Ben Carson is now a Republican candidate for president.) Of course, the Democratic Party prides itself in its diversity.

Ravi Zecharias is an international Evangelist from India, who now resides in Canada. He is now one of the leaders in Christian apologetics.

Michael Youseff of Church of the Apostles in Georgia is a native Arabic speaker born among the Coptic Christians in Egypt. Benny Hinn is a Palestinian Christian, although he rarely admits to this. (Probably due to the strong support for Israel among Evangelicals and the tendency to think ill of Arabs among them.) Walid Shoebat, also a Palestinian, has become a well-known Bible prophecy teacher.

Chinese American Francis Chan has risen to prominence in Evangelical circles with his best-selling books such as “Forgotten God,” which is about the Holy Spirit.

Joseph Prince pastors a mega-church in Singapore. Joseph Prince is half-Sikh and half-Chinese. (Sikhism is a religion and an ethnicity.)

In Korea there is David Yungi Cho (formerly known as Paul Yungi Cho) who has recently emerged from a tax evasion scandal (in which he was fined $5 million). He was the pastor of the world’s largest church that claims 830,000 in its membership! (He is now in semi-retirement.)

Growing up in Southern Evangelical circles, the late Nora Lam was often heard of and a movie about her testimony, entitled “China Cry” was made.  Nora Lam was an evangelist who had to flee persecution in China. Growing up I would hear of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee often. Sometimes people question Nee, Lee, and Prince’s theology-as if they are heretics. I don’t see any serious divergence from Christian orthodoxy in their teachings and it seems to me that the suspicion is upon them because they are “foreign.”

This shows that God is raising up leaders from Korea, India, the Arab world and China, among other places.

Some steps are being made to make the voices coming from the “third world” or the “developing world” to be heard within the Evangelical community.

Africa Bible Commentary is s one-volume commentary written by 70 African Scholars and is the first ever to be produced in Africa by African theologians to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay leaders. It was edited by Tokunboh Adeyemo, the executive director of the Centre for Biblical Transformation and has previously served as general secretary for the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. He earned a Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary.

There is also a study Bible entitled “The Africana Bible: Reading Israel's Scriptures from Africa and the African Diaspora” that features commentary from Africans and African Americans.

God’s Spirit is moving in China. “God Is Red: The Secret Story of How Christianity Survived and Flourished in Communist China” by Liou Yiwu and “Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power” by David Aikman both chronicle how Christianity is growing in China. There is some persecution in China. The government wants to control the church through “Three Self” churches. That is churches that are “self-governing, self-supporting (i.e., financial independence from foreigners) and self-propagating.” However, independent and illegal house-churches are thriving.

Evangelicals should have a world vision and should watch for and be open to the way God is moving around the world.

Evangelicals in America need to be loving and accepting of the international body of Christ. One way in which American Christians are not inclusive regards Arabs and Middle Eastern Christians. This is seen in Benny Hinn’s downplaying his Arab identity and claiming to be “Greek.” He is from a Palestinian Greek Orthodox background. Evangelicals tend to blame the existence of Islam upon Abraham’s fathering Ishmael through Hagar. This is an incorrect reading of Scripture. In the Bible God blesses, and doesn’t curse, Ishmael (Genesis 17:20). However, the mistake in interpretation is that Ishmael is not the father of all Arabs, as many falsely suppose. A genealogy of Arabs is found in Genesis 10:21-32, showing that Arabs existed before Abraham. After Sarah died, Abraham married Keturah and sired six Arabian tribes through her Genesis 25:1-4. In Abraham’s day, it was acceptable to take a servant as a concubine and have children through her. Today, Abraham’s action is looked upon as sinful and as a lack of faith. It is often preached that Abraham’s lack of faith brought evil, the Arab people, into the world. Each of Abraham’s eight sons became a nation in fulfillment of God’s promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations-and not just one Jewish nation. (Actually, two nations came from Abraham’s son Isaac; Israel and Edom.) From the perspective of many Evangelicals, Abraham conceived Ishmael in sin (although the Bible doesn’t say this). It is difficult to see how Abraham marrying Keturah and having sons through her could be construed as being sinful. What Christians are saying to the Arab people in their misinterpretation of Scripture is that they hate them and wish that they were never born. The Bible says that the Arabs were the first to hear and receive the Gospel (Acts 2:11, Galatians 1:17). Arabs are also confused with Muslims, while not all Arabs are Muslim and most Muslims are not Arab. Unfortunately, these racist, anti-Arab, un-Christian beliefs are deeply engrained in the American Evangelical community and reinforced by the actions of Islamist terrorists. All of this also ignores the fact that there are millions of Arab Christians and large communities of Arab Evangelicals. Christians shouldn’t have hate towards their brothers and sisters in Christ, nor should they twist the Scripture to affirm such false beliefs. Anti-Semitism needs to be fought against. But many Evangelical Christians need to change their attitudes towards their Arab brothers and sisters.

As is seen above God is moving in mighty ways around the world and in minority groups in the United States of America and Canada, but some obstacles remain. There are other similar barriers that exist among American Evangelicals regarding diversity. However, they must be overcome, because Jesus is the Son of Man, which means he is the son of all Mankind, and he died for the whole world, including Arabs, Africans, and Asians, on the cross. Evangelicals need to align themselves with the loving heart of Jesus Christ and accept diversity in the church and welcome the emerging leadership.

Eastern Perspectives: Endo’s Jesus, “Silence,” and “God’s Chinese Son”

Martin Scorsese is finally filming “Silence” a film based on the book by Shusuku Endo about the persecution of Japanese Christians under the Shoguns. (This story recently made the news because someone was killed in an accident on the set.) Scorsese has talked about making this film for decades. (The book has already been adapted to a film in Japan.) Shusuku Endo was a Japanese Catholic Christian.

In this book, Endo chose to tell the story of persecuted Japanese Christians through the perspective of European missionaries. I felt that it would have been better to tell the story through the perspective of the Japanese, as Endo does in "The Samurai" about Hasekura Rokuemon Tsunenaga (or "Francisco Felipe Faxicura", as he was baptized in Spain) who crossed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in a failed hope to bring the Gospel and global trade to Japan, and in "Final Martyrs." 

It would be interesting to see the story of Amakusa Shiro (as told in “The Nobility of Failure” by Ivan Morris). Anakusa Shiro was a teenage Samurai who fought to protect Japanese Christians from persecution. The revolt of Japanese Christians against the oppression is called the Shimabara Rebellion (which took place in the 1630s). Eventually, he was captured and executed. Many Japanese Christians consider him to be a saint. (However, although he died as a martyr, Shiro threatened to return in one hundred years to exact vengeance for his death. Interestingly, Chinese Nestorian Christians also accepted the idea of reincarnation. They preached that Christ freed the believer from the cycle of reincarnation.)

Japan was being won to Christianity through the efforts of Catholic missionaries. The English and the Dutch then convinced the Shogun that the Catholics represented a threat to his rule. (As the result of their Calvinistic beliefs, the British and the Dutch believed that the Japanese were non-Elect and as such, Jesus did not die on the cross for them. The British had strictly financial and trade interests in the East and at the time had no interest in sharing the Gospel with the local peoples, at that time. They viewed the success of Portuguese missionaries as a threat to their economic interests. At this time in history, Catholics engaged in missionary work and Protestants did not. In fact, William Carey was not allowed to Evangelize in British India and the British allowed barbaric customs such as suttee, in which the widow was thrown into her husband’s funeral pyre, to persist for decades under British rule.) As a result, the Shogun brutally suppressed Christianity and closed Japan from any foreign contact (sakoku) until Commodore Perry forced Japan to open up to the rest of the world in 1852-1853. Until that time practice of Christianity was a capital crime.

The long sustained persecution of Japanese Christians devastated the church-however, it did survive. One of the fascinating things about the Japanese is that Japanese Christianity survived underground for centuries.

The Japanese who retained the Christian beliefs and practices, often in garbled forms are called the “Kakure Kirishitan” meaning the “Hidden Christians. (They attempted to write down the Bible stories as best they could. The Kakure Kirishitan scriptures are a very interesting read. It is admirable, how these people maintained their Christian beliefs the best they could, without access to the Bible or missionaries.)

Approximately 30,000 secret Christians, some of whom had adopted these new ways of practicing Christianity, came out of hiding when religious freedom was re-established in the mid-19th century, after Perry’s visit.

(Note: America dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, one of the centers of Japanese Christianity. In fact, ground zero was very near the Urakami Cathedral, which was destroyed in the explosion, but subsequently rebuilt. Many Americans believe that it was necessary to use the atomic bomb to bring a swift end to a long and terrible war. My personal feeling is that, while it may have been necessary to develop the technology for the bomb, lest the Nazis or Communists gain that knowledge first, it should never have been used, especially on civilian targets as it was. I respect other peoples’ opinions, but in mine Hiroshima and Nagasaki repent crimes against humanity. Of course, the Japanese committed many war crimes, as can be seen in the book and the movie “Unbroken,” but a “Christian” civilization should be held to a higher standard. The Japanese who committed atrocities against Mr. Zamperini and others and at the Rape of Nanking should have been arrested and punished. Unfortunately, the man who tortured Mr. Zamperini was able to get amnesty.)

After Japan was opened again to the West, Nicolai Kasatkin was able to found the Japanese Orthodox Church, which flourished until the Russo-Japanese War, but endured through, and survived the conflict. This was due to the respect that Saint Kasatkin was held in by the Japanese. (The Nichorai-do, or Holy Resurrection Cathedral, founded by Saint Kasatkin still stands in Tokyo.)

Endo often wondered why Christianity has never been able to gain ground in Japan. It seems like the one opportunity to win Japan to Christ was blunted by the British and the Dutch. Today, Japan is less than 1% Christian.

Christianity has had several starts in China as well. It thrived in the Nestorian form under the Chinese and Mongolian emperors. Nestorian churches still stand in China. They look like typical pagodas. But this is an example of how Christianity is able to adapt to different cultures. The Nestorian Church declined and endured as a persecuted minority until the small and dwindling Nestorian Chinese were converted to Roman Catholicism. It is interesting that later a form of Christianity almost took over China.

Hong Xiuquan claimed to be the brother of Jesus Christ and led the Tiaping Revolution (which took place roughly the same time as the American “Civil” War). His new religion could be described as perhaps a Chinese equivalent to American Mormonism. The story is told in “God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan” by Jonathon Spencer. Hong Xiuquan tried to pass the state test in order to become part of the Chinese bureaucracy. He failed, as did all but 5% of those who took the test.  (At the time, China portrayed itself as a meritocracy in which anyone who passed the state tests could rise in government.) In the height of his power, Hong Xiuquan ruled over 30 million people. However, at least 20 million people in the Tiaping revolt. The Manchu government was able to crush this quasi-Christian revolt, with the help of the British and the French. (So we see that the British were instrumental in crushing Japanese Christianity, and in crushing a large professed Christian movement in China.)

The Chinese government currently holds that the Tiaping revolution did bring needed social reform, such as sexual equality and social justice for peasants.

It is fascinating to see how China and Japan have responded to the Gospel.

Endo’s “Life of Jesus” is a retelling of the story of Jesus from a Japanese perspective. Endo feels that the reason that Japan has been resistant to the Gospel is because of the way it is presented from the patriarchal Western perspective. According to Endo, it is the matriarchal approach that the Japanese would find more appealing. This is surprising seeing that Japan has been a strongly militaristic culture in the past. Endo’s “Life of Jesus” is based on serious historical research. It isn’t as though Endo has created a new Japanese Zen-Buddhist Jesus, in the way that Jesus is seemingly presented as a Taoist sage in some of the “Jesus Sutras” Nestorian Chinese literature.

The movie “Silence” could be effective in telling the story of the terrible persecution that Japanese Christians suffered, a story that many in the West are unfamiliar with, and perhaps encourage people to read Endo’s other works, such as his life of Christ, and look at the Gospel message through a totally different, and non-Western perspective.

Upcoming movie "The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus" to Star Lorenzo Lamas as Apostle Thaddeus

We are trying to raise $120,000 for this film project. The contribute go to:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/360405228/the-apostle-thomas-in-india

Lorenzo Lamas set to star as Thaddeus in upcoming Biblical film

 

 

Lamas said, “I have worked with Walker Cable Productions in several films on the course of the last several years and it is my understanding that they will be producing a film on the Apostle Thaddeus in the near future. Based on my former association with this company and the integrity of Sam Cable and Chuck Walker as friends and film makers, I have a strong interest in being involved in this project as an actor in the title role of Thaddeus. I find the script interesting and captivating and look forward to making this project a big success.   I am thrilled to be working on Thaddeus, the new WalkerCable production. These are terrific guys and a wonderful production company that I have had the pleasure of working with many, many times in the past. So, if you have the opportunity to invest in a WalkerCable production don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. So, I am excited about being a part of this Christian movie. I think it is an important time for our society to embrace the Christian faith. I am looking forward to it.”

Why should I support the Acts of Thaddeus movie?

Based on recent performance of Faith based and Biblical based movies, “The Acts of Thaddeus” has great potential to be a successful film.

The film is also educational. It is based on the literature and history of the ancient Assyrian Church of the East.

The movie is cultural. It is a celebration of the Assyrian culture.

The film is timely and relevant. With the rise of ISIS, radical Islam and the increase of persecution of Christians around the world and particularly in the Middle East, “The Acts of Thaddeus” can draw attention to and create awareness of the heritage of Middle East Christianity and the threat it now faces.

The movie is Ecumenical. It is about Christian unity. The story of the Apostles occurred before divisions developed within Christianity. Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants and members of the Assyrian Church of the East can embrace the story of the Apostle Thaddeus.

In the film, Thaddeus proclaims the message of love, forgiveness, and compassion that is the heart of the Christian faith.

 

 

 

 

Lorenzo Lamas set to star as Apostle Thaddeus in New Biblical Epic

 

Lorenzo Lamas, 1980s heartthrob and star of the hit series “The Renegade,” is set to portray the Apostle Thaddeus in an upcoming biblical epic.  The movie will be produced by Walker Cable Productions, and filmed near San Antonio, Texas.  The working title of the film is “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus.” 

Along with Lorenzo Lamas and Walker Cable Productions, the production crew will include three Assyrian Americans, and at least seven Assyrian Americans will be cast in major roles. This will enable these Assyrian Americans to learn about the art of film-making and perhaps launch their careers in either film production or acting.  Being people who’s heritage the film is depicting, they bring with them an additional layer of accuracy and authenticity.   

The Assyrians are currently facing terrible challenges and persecution.  They face the threat of genocide in their ancestral homeland by Islamic militants groups, perhaps the most recognizable being ISIS.  These terrorist groups are actively trying to destroy the ancient Christian community founded by Thaddeus and Thomas. 

 

Stephen Missick, associate pastor of King of Saints Tabernacle in Cleveland, Texas, is writing and producing the biblical movie that will dramatize the story of one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.   The script is derived from the Bible and other ancient sources, such as the writings of the Early Church Fathers.  The film is anticipated to be produced by WalkerCable, Productions of Conroe, Texas. WalkerCable plans to begin filming in early 2015. Existing movie sets at the Alamo Village in Brackettville, Texas, as well as other areas around San Antonio, will serve as Biblical Lands.

 

ISIS captures 90 Assyrian Christians at Khabour River Valley in Eastern Syria

I have visited the Assyrian villages at the Khabour River Valley in Syria. I am appalled to learn that ISIS has captured 90 Assyrian Aramaic-speaking Christians from the area that I have visited. Please pray for these Assyrian Christians and give to organizations that help:

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/24/activists-report-dozens-assyrian-christans-kidnapped-by-isis/

To help:
http://barnabasfund.org/

Assyrian Heritage Film dramatizes the Birth of the Assyrian Church of the East

Lorenzo Lamas, 1980s heartthrob and star of the hit series “The Renegade,” is set to portray the Apostle Thaddeus in an upcoming biblical epic.  The movie will be produced by Walker Cable Productions, and filmed near San Antonio, Texas.  The working title of the film is “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus.”

 

Lamas said, “I have worked with Walker Cable Productions in several films on the course of the last several years and it is my understanding that they will be producing a film on the Apostle Thaddeus in the near future. Based on my former association with this company and the integrity of Sam Cable and Chuck Walker as friends and film makers, I have a strong interest in being involved in this project as an actor in the title role of Thaddeus. I find the script interesting and captivating and look forward to making this project a big success.   I am thrilled to be working on Thaddeus, the new WalkerCable production. These are terrific guys and a wonderful production company that I have had the pleasure of working with many, many times in the past. So, if you have the opportunity to invest in a WalkerCable production don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. So, I am excited about being a part of this Christian movie. I think it is an important time for our society to embrace the Christian faith. I am looking forward to it.”

 

Along with Lorenzo Lamas and Walker Cable Productions, the production crew will include three Assyrian Americans, and at least seven Assyrian Americans will be cast in major roles. This will enable these Assyrian Americans to learn about the art of film-making and perhaps launch their careers in either film production or acting.  Being people who’s heritage the film is depicting, they bring with them an additional layer of accuracy and authenticity. 

 

The Assyrians are currently facing terrible challenges and persecution.  They face the threat of genocide in their ancestral homeland by Islamic militants groups, perhaps the most recognizable being ISIS.  These terrorist groups are actively trying to destroy the ancient Christian community founded by Thaddeus and Thomas.

 

Stephen Missick, associate pastor of King of Saints Tabernacle in Cleveland, Texas, is writing and producing the biblical movie that will dramatize the story of one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.   The script is derived from the Bible and other ancient sources, such as the writings of the Early Church Fathers.  The film is anticipated to be produced by WalkerCable, Productions of Conroe, Texas. WalkerCable plans to begin filming in early 2015. Existing movie sets at the Alamo Village in Brackettville, Texas, as well as other areas around San Antonio, will serve as Biblical Lands.

 

“From the very beginning of the film industry, movies dramatizing stories from the Bible have been made.  Many of these films are classics, such as Cecil B. DeMille’s  “The Ten Commandments” and Charlton Heston’s “Ben-Hur.” However, I want to do something totally different. I want to do something that audiences have never seen before” Missick said.  

 

In this movie, Pastor Missick will be telling the story of the Apostle Thaddeus. According to early Church Historians, Thaddeus evangelized and established Churches in what are today Iraq, Iran and southern Turkey.   The movie “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” is about the Apostle Thaddeus, known among Assyrian Christians as Mar Addai, and the founding of the Assyrian Church of the East. The movie will be based on ancient Assyrian Christian literature, namely “The Doctrine of Addai” and “The Acts of the Apostle Mari.” It is also based on other ancient sources, such as the writings of the early church historian Eusebius.

 

According to Pastor Missick, “The Acts of Thaddeus” tells the story of the origin of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Armenian Church.  Pastor Missick describes the story of Thaddeus as a very fascinating one: “According to Church historians, Thaddeus was the groom at the marriage of Cana in Galilee, where Jesus turned the water into wine.  There is also a connection between Thaddeus and the Shroud  of Turin.”

 

The Shroud of Turin is an Icon kept in Turin, Italy that is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus, and it bears an impression of the body of a crucified man.  Many Shroud experts believe that the Shroud of Turin was known as originally known as the Image of Edessa, or the Mandylion.  It said to have been brought to the Syriac king Abgar as a gift by Thaddeus. Missick says, “Many of those who believe that the Shroud of Turin is authentic, also believe that there is a connection between the Shroud and the Apostle Thaddeus. The Shroud will be featured in the movie.”

 

Recent cinematic history has seen the resurgence of the Biblical Epic. “The Bible: TV Miniseries,” “The Son of God, “ as well as “Noah,” have been very successful.  In addition, faith-based films such as “God’s Not Dead” and “Heaven is for Real” have proven there is large an underserved market for films in the Biblical genre.  Soon, Biblical epics such as “Exodus: God’s and Kings” and “A.D.: After the Bible” will arrive on both the big and small screens to serve these markets.   This project is unique in that the story of Thaddeus and the founding of the Assyrian Church has never before been told in film.

If the current funding goals are attained, we intend to begin shooting around March 15-20, 2015.

 

For more information contact:

Stephen Andrew Missick, stephenamissick@hotmail.com,

Promo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlFORNbUxOA

historical background

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXIcoeoBr0

Chuck Walker discusses his vision for directing Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht6cEDyWGMU

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus location

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xmwW-_xYoo

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus: Artwork for the Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEc_rC1GM7c

Costume Design for The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S7aBPaLn7k

Stephen and Mar Awa discuss the Thaddeus movie

Mar Awa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id3a1r9jer4

Stephen and Romena Jonas Interview about Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be1SbFbzCvw&feature=player_embedded

Stephen and Romena Jonas Skype Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-IywU6PZto

Stephen Missick and Romena Jonas Interview (1)

http://youtu.be/aMglKf9hC1I

Billy Haido Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohp7YiaEaoY

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH IN ASSYRIA

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus: The Birth of the Church in Assyria is an upcoming film starring Lorenzo Lamas as Thaddeus, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. This movie will dramatize the story of the Early Church and the founding of Christianity in Mesopotamia and is based on ancient extra-biblical texts that were written in the Aramaic language that was spoken by Jesus Christ. The Acts of Thaddeus will show the drama of the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of the early Christians. The film will be directed by Chuck Walker and produced by Sam Walker. The script is written by Stephen Andrew Missick. The film portrays an important era in Assyrian history and Assyrian Americans are involved in the production of the movie. The executive production team includes Billy Haido, Vincent Shade and Martin Khoshaba. It is the film-makers goal to have at least six Assyrian Americans in major roles in the film.

For more information about the project and ways to be involved see:

http://www.aramaicherald.blogspot.com/

Stephen Andrew Missick stephenamissick@hotmail.com 281-592-4104, PO BOX 882, Shepherd, Texas, 77371

Thaddeus movie starring Lorenzo Lamas to tell the story of the Origin of the Assyrian Church

Lorenzo Lamas to Star in upcoming Biblical Epic.

The story of Thaddeus: the Apostle of Christ, to be produced by Houston area pastor.

(Cleveland, Texas) Lorenzo Lamas, 1980s heartthrob and star of the hit series “The Renegade,” is set to portray the Apostle Thaddeus in an upcoming biblical epic.  The movie will be produced by Walker Cable Productions, and filmed near San Antonio, Texas.  The working title of the film is “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus.”

 

Lamas said, “I have worked with Walker Cable Productions in several films on the course of the last several years and it is my understanding that they will be producing a film on the Apostle Thaddeus in the near future. Based on my former association with this company and the integrity of Sam Cable and Chuck Walker as friends and film makers, I have a strong interest in being involved in this project as an actor in the title role of Thaddeus. I find the script interesting and captivating and look forward to making this project a big success.   I am thrilled to be working on Thaddeus, the new WalkerCable production. These are terrific guys and a wonderful production company that I have had the pleasure of working with many, many times in the past. So, if you have the opportunity to invest in a WalkerCable production don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. So, I am excited about being a part of this Christian movie. I think it is an important time for our society to embrace the Christian faith. I am looking forward to it.”

 

“The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” tells the story of the Apostle Thaddeus evangelizing Mesopotamia and founding the Assyrian Church of the East and the Armenian Church. The story is based on the writings of the early church fathers and traditions of Assyrian Christians, who are the indigenous people of Mesopotamia. Along with Lorenzo Lamas and Walker Cable Productions, the production crew will include three Assyrian Americans, and at least six Assyrian Americans will be cast in major roles. This will enable these Assyrian Americans to learn about the art of film-making and perhaps launch their careers in either film production or acting.  Being people who’s heritage the film is depicting, they bring with them an additional layer of accuracy and authenticity.  The Assyrian American production team are from Strategic Entertainment.

 

The Assyrians are currently facing terrible challenges and persecution.  They face the threat of genocide in their ancestral homeland by Islamic militants groups, perhaps the most recognizable being ISIS.  These terrorist groups are actively trying to destroy the ancient Christian community founded by Thaddeus and Thomas.

 

Stephen Missick, associate pastor of King of Saints Tabernacle in Cleveland, Texas, is writing and producing the biblical movie that will dramatize the story of one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.   The script is derived from the Bible and other ancient sources, such as the writings of the Early Church Fathers.  The film is anticipated to be produced by WalkerCable, Productions of Conroe, Texas. WalkerCable plans to begin filming in early 2015. Existing movie sets at the Alamo Village in Brackettville, Texas, as well as other areas around San Antonio, will serve as Biblical Lands.

 

“From the very beginning of the film industry, movies dramatizing stories from the Bible have been made.  Many of these films are classics, such as Cecil B. DeMille’s  “The Ten Commandments” and Charlton Heston’s “Ben-Hur.” However, I want to do something totally different. I want to do something that audiences have never seen before” Missick said.  

 

In this movie, Pastor Missick will be telling the story of the Apostle Thaddeus. According to early Church Historians, Thaddeus evangelized and established Churches in what are today Iraq, Iran and southern Turkey.   The movie “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” is about the Apostle Thaddeus, known among Assyrian Christians as Mar Addai, and the founding of the Assyrian Church of the East. The movie will be based on ancient Assyrian Christian literature, namely “The Doctrine of Addai” and “The Acts of the Apostle Mari.” It is also based on other ancient sources, such as the writings of the early church historian Eusebius.

 

According to Pastor Missick, “The Acts of Thaddeus” tells the story of the origin of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Armenian Church.  Pastor Missick describes the story of Thaddeus as a very fascinating one: “According to Church historians, Thaddeus was the groom at the marriage of Cana in Galilee, where Jesus turned the water into wine.  There is also a connection between Thaddeus and the Shroud  of Turin.” The Shroud of Turin is an Icon kept in Turin, Italy that is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus, and it bears an impression of the body of a crucified man.  Many Shroud experts believe that the Shroud of Turin was known as originally known as the Image of Edessa, or the Mandylion.  It said to have been brought to the Syriac king Abgar as a gift by Thaddeus. Missick says, “Many of those who believe that the Shroud of Turin is authentic, also believe that there is a connection between the Shroud and the Apostle Thaddeus. The Shroud will be featured in the movie.”

 

Recent cinematic history has seen the resurgence of the Biblical Epic. “The Bible: TV Miniseries,” “The Son of God, “as well as “Noah,” have been very successful.  In addition, faith-based films such as “God’s Not Dead” and “Heaven is for Real” have proven there is large an underserved market for films in the Biblical genre.  Soon, Biblical epics such as “Exodus: God’s and Kings” and “A.D.: After the Bible” will arrive on both the big and small screens to serve these markets.   This project is unique in that the story of Thaddeus and the founding of the Assyrian Church has never before been told in film.

If the current funding goals are attained, we intend to begin shooting around March 15-20, 2015.

 

For more information contact:

Stephen Andrew Missick, stephenamissick@hotmail.com,

(ph) 281-592-4104 2228 FM 1725, Cleveland, Texas 77328

See the kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/210000190/the-acts-of-thaddeus-a-dramatic-feature-film

 

To support the project by sending a check-mail the check to:

Acts of Thaddeus LLC

PO Box 5341

Skokie IL 60077

 

Or

Saint Thaddeus Productions

PO Box 882

Shepherd Texas 77371

News Story on Thaddeus Movie Project:

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/cleveland/news/cleveland-pastor-s-biblical-story-to-be-made-into-movie/article_da008ccf-e4aa-5141-b06e-2470e138d58e.html

Video on Thaddeus Movie Project:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-IywU6PZto
 

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus location

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xmwW-_xYoo

Chuck Walker discusses his vision for directing Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht6cEDyWGMU

 

historical background

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXIcoeoBr0

 

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus: Artwork for the Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEc_rC1GM7c

 

Costume Design for The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S7aBPaLn7k

Promo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlFORNbUxOA

Interview with Stephen Missick about Thaddeus Movie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be1SbFbzCvw&feature=player_embedded