TIMELY NEW DOCU-SERIES SHINES LIGHT ON MIGRANTS CROSSING THE SOUTHERN BORDER, AND FINDING HOPE AMONG FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS WILLING TO HELP
ACROSS Exposes Heartbreaking Stories of Asylum Seeking Families, Fleeing Some of the Most Dangerous Places on Earth, Who Encounter Hardship but Ultimately Healing Through the Love of Brave Individuals and Churches
NEWS SOURCE: Biscuit Media Group
Houston, Tex. — Timely award-winning docu-series ACROSS will release online June 20, 2023 for World Refugee Day in the US. ACROSS is the story of what happens when we set aside politics and witness the humanity and faith of asylum seekers firsthand.
View the trailer here.
Filmed in Honduras, Texas, and Illinois, ACROSS weaves the journey of everyday American Christians with families from the Northern Triangle of Central America hoping to rebuild their lives safely in the US. The series highlights the stories of three women and their children who escaped horrific abuse and violence, only to meet incredible hardships once arriving in the US. By hearing the stories and witnessing the unwavering faith of asylum seekers, these Americans stopped seeing migrants as news stories and instead were transformed as these individuals became a part of their church family.
Without a political agenda, ACROSS shares the work of faith communities, compelled by their calling as Christians, to help. Instead of feeling paralyzed by this issue that seems overwhelming and helpless, these churches are putting feet to their faith and coming alongside migrant families as they seek legal asylum in the US.
The project began in 2019, inspired by an episode on the Maybe God Podcast titled “Can Loving ‘Illegals’ Save Our Souls?”. Julie Mirlicourtois, who produces Maybe God along with host Eric Huffman, came up with the idea after listeners expressed the profound impact the episode had on their beliefs about migrant families. Previously, Julie spent 20 years in media working with CBS News and The Oprah Winfrey Show among others. She led a team of producers, cinematographers, composers, and editors with decades of experience working with Oprah, Pixar, Marvel, CBS News, NBC News, PBS, and Discovery to bring the series to life.
Julie shares, “Every day we see images of desperate people fleeing life-threatening poverty, violence, and corruption, attempting a dangerous months-long journey to the US, seeking basic human rights. ACROSS is for people to witness the humanity of these mothers, fathers, and children crossing our southern border, the
overwhelming majority of whom are Christians, in a way that deepens our understanding of the situation and acknowledges their stories of faith that are often missed.”
In addition to featuring leading experts in gang violence, intimate partner violence, and asylum law, Pastor John Garland from the San Antonio Mennonite Church offers a unique look at the lives of asylum seekers. He’s worked tirelessly to reunite parents and children, save vulnerable migrants from predators and human traffickers, and secure safe homes and legal help for asylum seekers.
“Navigating the system is incredibly challenging for anyone,” shares John. “It’s virtually impossible to plead your case without legal representation, yet most of the families seeking asylum have very few resources. There’s also a constant fear of rejection and of deportation.”
“Americans have a choice to reject refugees outright, ignore them, or support them,” he continues. “The first two options always lead to suffering, putting them back in the hands of predators and abusers, and pushing them into deeper generational suffering. When we choose to support them, there is a phenomenal opportunity for growth in our hearts and in our communities.”
About Maybe God:
Maybe God is a community of doubtful believers and faithful skeptics bold and courageous enough to seek answers together. The Maybe God Podcast tackles people’s most intimidating questions about God and the purpose of humanity through thought-provoking storytelling. Created in Houston, Texas in 2018, Maybe God quickly rose the Apple charts to Top 100 Spirituality Podcasts in 2019. With listeners in over 40 countries, Maybe God pushes as hard against religion as it does secularism in search of the only thing that matters: Truth. Maybe God is hosted by Eric Huffman, Lead Pastor of The Story Church in Houston, TX and author of 40 Days of Doubt: Devotions for the Skeptic and Scripture and the Skeptic.
About Docs/ology Films:
Docs/ology Films creates, markets and distributes documentary films and other true stories of exceptional artistic quality and substance. With a focus on projects that authentically explore the human condition and affirm the dignity of all people, Docs/ology seeks to connect smart films with ‘soulful’ people. Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, The Biggest Little Farm, The Most Reluctant Convert, The First Step, Social Animals, Dark Waters, Jane and the 2018 Academy Award winning feature documentary Free Solo are among the over 50 award-winning films, television and festival favorites we represent.