How This Director Fights Spiritual Warfare in Hollywood

Published: October 8, 2024

How This Director Fights Spiritual Warfare in Hollywood

By Movieguide® Contributor

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM director, Adam Anders, discussed his newest project which highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, something he feels is ever present in Hollywood.

“My next project is a thriller with Lionsgate next about spiritual warfare,” Anders told The Christian Post. “It’s going to be a huge movie. It’s not a musical, which is crazy, but a great challenge. I’m very excited. I’m just writing it right now.”

“I live in L.A. It’s the epicenter [of spiritual warfare], and I’ve seen it my whole career,” he continued. “Living there as a Christian, I’m a man on an island. Hollywood is where culture is shaped, and it affects the whole world. That’s why the devil does his best work there. He wants to be there and affect culture for the whole world.”

To combat the works of the devil in the entertainment industry, Anders has spent his career bringing Christian projects to life to bring the Gospel to the masses. His 2023 musical JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM told the nativity story in a fresh, new way, retelling the birth of Jesus through song.

“People have come up to me and said, ‘I’m an atheist, and this movie changed my life,’ or, ‘I hate church, but I had to see this movie.’ So many people who aren’t believers hear the Gospel through this movie,” Anders said.

“I didn’t make it for Christians, and many didn’t understand the creative license I took, but it was designed to reach people outside of the Church, to bring them and point them towards the Scriptures, not to replace them,” he added. “And it’s working, and seeing that is so rewarding. This vision that God gave me for a very specific purpose is working, and people are finding the Gospel message through this movie, even in the summer.”

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM’s life-changing work was recognized during last year’s Movieguide® Awards Gala, as the movie won the Epiphany Prize® while also being nominated for the Grace® Prize for Movie Performance and the Best Family Movie category.

Movieguide® previously reported on spiritual warfare in Hollywood:

Denzel Washington discussed his faith and the importance of having an “anchor” in a new interview with The New York Times.

The Academy Award-winner described himself as a “God-fearing man” and revealed a promise he had made to his late mother to “honor her and God.”

“What I do, what I make, what I made – all of that – is that going to help me on the last day of my life? It’s about, Who have you lifted up? Who have we made better?” Washington said.

“This is spiritual warfare,” he continued. “So, I’m not looking at it from an earthly perspective. If you don’t have a spiritual anchor you’ll be easily blown by the wind and you’ll be led to depression.”

The Movieguide® Grace Prize® nominee also spoke about society today and how it’s easy to fall into the trap of self-obsession.