___________________________________________________________________________________________________ A Publication Dedicated To Christian Film and TV Stars and Their Many Fans Volume 12 Number 1 This publication is going out to those who have expressed an interest in the great influence film and TV can have on Christianity. Published by Point North Outreach, Inc., a not for profit organization. Michael Joiner, Story on Page 3 Cecil Stokes, Story on Page 6 Off To A Good Start In 2015 .…................................................................................................................... Page 2 Heaven Bound with Michael Joiner and Friends ....................................................................................... Page 3 Cecil Stokes, a Heart for God ...................................................................................................................... Page 6 Fragile World, A film that will keep you guessing ...................................................................................... Page 9 Juli Tapken Cast In Epic Western Big Sky TV Show ............................................................................. Page 10 The Jesus Revolution, a Documentary Film ..............................................................................................Page 11 From Sword of the Spirit Publishing, Gramps Goes To College & Love Waits ...................................... Page 12 Wounded Warriors A Movie That Brings Awareness to PTSD ................................................................ Page 12 Western Film Fair & Nostalgia Convention Short Film Contest Deadline May 15 ............................. Page 13 Jenny Cote's next book, one we look forward to, will be out March 30 ................................................ Page 14 The latest from Brian Godawa .................................................................................................................. Page 15 People & Places featuring Rhonda Fleming and Rebecca Holden ........................................................ Page 16 Off To A Good Start In 2015 Our Mission Statement It was suggested after our last issue that It looks like our twelfth year as a we run our Mission Statement in every issue. publication is off to a good start for faith and This is because we are constantly adding new family productions. Our having to run a readers who may wish to see this description of supplement issue in January is evidence that a what we are about. lot of information is coming in about films, TV shows and other productions that should be of Point North † Outreach, Inc. is a non- interest to all Christians. denominational Christian organization that We have to depend upon networking and highlights, promotes and supports what is being we appreciate the contacts we have received done in regard to faith and family productions. from our readers and others. When we get a call Our publication, Point North † Tidings, is for all or email saying to the effect, “There's a fans of the media who desire to see more faith- ______you need to know about” we try to get to based and family films and TV shows. Our goal it immediately. You will see the result of that in is to inform our readers about these productions this issue. and artists, encourage them to support the films Of course we have to admit that for and TV shows they create that reflect Christian every good tip we receive there are others we values, thereby ensuring a vital and growing sadly do not hear about. Last year we missed market for the programs and films that will out on advance covering a major film we loved, positively impact our culture. Through God's Not Dead though we did do a major publication interviews fans may witness the feature once it came out. transforming power of God's love and saving This is why we must depend upon not grace through His gift of the risen Jesus Christ. just our staff, but our readers like you as well. The Point North † Tidings staff and the media We like to think that both staff and readership stars with whom we work acknowledge and are a team as we share the goal of supporting respect that the Christian walk is a continuing good films, TV shows, stage productions, books process of growth in faith, hope, and love to and special events. reach spiritual maturity. We also seek to share Of most importance we value and need this with non-Christians so that they may support through prayer. We do like to hear from experience the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. you as we are growing together in this venture. It must be added that we do want to add to our readership. Please let friends and family Point North † Tidings know about us and how to be a free subscriber. Editor........................................Dr. Fred R. Eichelman They just simply have to email or write us. Special Correspondents........................Nancy Stafford Susannah Hicks That's [email protected] and 545 Columnist............................................Kerri Pomarolli Howard Drive, Salem, VA 24153-2167. Printing.........................................DTS Reprographics Announcing a new Staff Member Publisher........................Point North † Outreach, Inc. Advisory Board: Bootie Chewning, Jayne Crimin, Kathy Garver, Kim Headlee, Rebecca Holden, Richard Lyons, Ron McGehee, Caroline Munro, Samantha Landy, Kerri Pomarolli, Laurie Prange and Grace Lee Whitney Point North † Outreach, Inc. Board of Directors Carolyn Eichelman, Fred Eichelman, Rhonda Fleming, Deanna Lund and Nancy Stafford Director Emeritus..............................Joyce Meadows Susannah Hicks has joined our staff as a special correspondent. She already has a solid Office: 545 Howard Drive, Salem, VA 24153-2167 background as a writer and before that as an (540) 389-9400 [email protected] actress. She was recruited by advisory board http://pointingnorth.com member Kerri Pomarolli. Welcome aboard. Point North † Tidings Volume 12, Number 1 2 Michael: It is a film called Heaven Bound. Heaven Bound with Torry and I have been friends for a long time. Michael Joiner and Friends Torry is one of writers and will also be my co- star. We have been wanting to work together for years, actually it was Torry who introduced me to a person on Facebook who was responsible for me getting a lead role in The Grace Card back in 2009. We have been close friends ever since. We hung out at Gideon Film Festival a few years back and in Nashville when I last shot a movie there. Torry is a real cutup and when we get together it's crazy. We will probably deviate a little from the script and have some fun improvising. Nancy Stafford will have the role of my wife and I have been looking forward to that. The producers were considering casting her as my wife in The Grace Card, but that didn't work out. So I guess it took a few years and the right script for it to work. I am looking forward to working with her very much. Heaven Bound star Michael Joiner In our first supplement issue to this publication we were pleased to announce a new film, Heaven Bound, that will be produced by Drake Films and Torrent Entertainment this March. We immediately contacted producer Adam Drake who told us that this is a faith-based comedy written by Marshal Younger and Torry Martin and directed by Gabe McCauley. The film will star Michael Joiner, Nancy Stafford, Danny Vinson, Victoria Jackson, Tony Senzamici, Terry Minton, Torry Martin and Sandra Williams. Adam Drake kindly gave us an idea of what to expect. “A financially desperate couple arrives at a mansion and Also starring in Heaven Bound, Nancy Stafford become victims themselves when they are Ed.: You have been successful in two fields, threatened by a dying Christian man who will both acting and as a comedian. What led you not let them leave until they make a decision to this type of career and how was your to follow Jesus” That couple will be Michael Christian faith involved? Joiner and Nancy Stafford. We have Michael: In 1986 I went to California and I was interviewed some of the cast members in the not living as a Christian. I went there and past and this film gave us an opportunity to started working as an extra in film and TV. I talk with actor/comedian Michael Joiner was a real party animal. I had a praying mom whom we have desired to interview for some who was praying for me to give my life to God. time. I would give her a little hope, going to church Ed.: The first thing we want to get to is about now and then and reading the Word, but nothing a film you are doing in March. Something we real solid. Then in 1988 I fully committed my learned from Adam Drake and Torry Martin. life to the Lord. At that time I was working as We would like to hear about that. Bruce Willis' photo double for the TV show Point North † Tidings Volume 12, Number 1 3 Moonlighting. I started witnessing to everyone atmosphere in general in Los Angeles is very on the set and that caused some trouble. I prayed anti Christian. I am making movies and writing about it and came back home to Indiana and my own films, producing movies for the started working as the drummer for a worship Christian world view. I also continue to do a lot team at Vineyard Christian Center in Valparaiso, of standup comedy all across the nation. I IN. There was a community theater in that town learned that God knows what He is doing and which happened to have won the award as Best He can do whatever He wants geographically, Community Theater in the World. I started circumstantially, as long as you are putting Him going there and auditioning and getting roles first. Trust in him, He knows what He is doing. and really developing my acting chops. I could Ed.: We really loved The Grace Card and sense that God was molding me, preparing me at other work you have done. In our last issue that time. After about four years of theater I we covered another good film that you were also started doing standup comedy. I began to in, Love Covers All, and there was a second make a living that way and in the early nineties I one we covered that your were in.