Pacific Press And Award-Winning Filmmakers Honor Lincoln’s Faith Through Film

Oct. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Greeneville, TN / Nashville, TN

Chris Small, Founder/CLE of The Lincoln Project (http://www.thelincolnproject.com) and Loren Small, Managing Director of COGfilm (http://www.cogfilm.com), announced today that Pacific Press Publishing Association will distribute their new film Abraham Lincoln’s Faith in Adventist Book Centers throughout the US beginning November 1.

Abraham Lincoln’s Faith was one of two films produced by the Smalls that premiered during the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. The second, Lincoln and Emancipation, is already being sold in stores at select National Parks and other historic sites. A third film was shot in 2010 for the National Park Service as part of the Andrew Johnson Bicentennial and will be used for educational purposes during the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

As a member of the first graduating class from Southern Adventist University’s film program, Loren is a full-time filmmaker. His Nashville based company, COGfilm, “tells great stories that make a difference, through the production of profitable, creative, and artistic faith-based or values-driven films.” Loren earned multiple Telly awards for his work as the senior editor and producer at The Worship Network, an internationally broadcast television network.

“I think I am now one of the premier living Lincoln photographers,” says Loren Small, smiling. “I feel like a modern Matthew Brady.”

During the Civil War, Matthew Brady gained fame as the great photographer of battlefield scenes and of President Abraham Lincoln. But Brady has nothing on Loren in terms of technology, who not only has taken still photos of Abraham Lincoln Presenters for over a decade, but has actually captured hours of video and film of the President (or his modern alter ego, at least).

Loren has a secret to capturing so many images of “Lincoln.” His brother, Chris, has portrayed the sixteenth President for almost fifteen years. His first portrayal of Abraham Lincoln was part of a 1997 Andrews University Senior Honors project in which he gave three performances of Herbert Mitgang’s two-hour one-man drama “Mr. Lincoln.” Chris has been hooked on Lincoln ever since.

After graduating from Andrews University, Chris continued Lincoln presentation as a hobby and community outreach while serving for six years as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor in Michigan. Chris then returned to graduate school for a Master’s degree in Communication and founded The Lincoln Project, dedicated to “Bringing Lincoln to Life.” After moving company operations to Greeneville, Tennessee, Chris significantly expanded The Lincoln Project, creating films, books, and educational endeavors. He also continues to perform professionally as Lincoln around the country.

The films Lincoln & Emancipation and Abraham Lincoln’s Faith were shown for the first time on July 9, 2009, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville, Tennessee. Attendees, including local and state elected officials, enjoyed period foods (including Lincoln’s favorite cake) at the pre-screening reception. A reenactors’ encampment, which included a 10-pound parrott cannon and Union color guard, provided a festive and patriotic opening to the event.

In the question and answer periods following the film screenings, Loren explained that film is a powerful medium to help “shape the culture” and “broaden the discussion” including issues of faith. Chris added, “Portraying Lincoln gives me the opportunity to share my own belief in God and to address questions of faith--even in secular settings--through the words of America’s most admired President.”

It is these exciting opportunities that the Smalls believe led Pacific Press Publishing Association to distribute Abraham Lincoln’s Faith. The film tells the story of Lincoln's personal journey to faith, culminating in a deep regard for the Scriptures and a firm reliance upon God. Near the beginning, Lincoln remembers reading the family Bible at his mother’s knee. He relates how he was raised among Separate or “Hard-shell” Baptists who held to no creed but the Bible, but as a young man “became something of a skeptic.” However, events led him back to the Bible and to a life of prayer, as evidenced in his Presidency. The film climaxes with the explosive and faith-affirming words of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.

DVDs of both Abraham Lincoln’s Faith and Lincoln and Emancipation are available for purchase from The Lincoln Project at http://www.TheLincolnProject.com. Abraham Lincoln’s Faith will also be available for purchase from Adventist Book Centers beginning November 1, 2010.

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For more INFORMATION,
HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS
or to schedule an INTERVIEW
please contact:

Chris Small
The Lincoln Project
chris@thelincolnproject.com
http://www.thelincolnproject.com

Loren Small
COGfilm
info@cogfilm.com
http://www.cogfilm.com