Artist bio

Sarah Buckland is a dedicated Christian youth with a passion for reaching others for Christ. Her varied interests span both the sciences and the arts. As an environmental researcher and award-winning poet and photographer in various National level competitions, Sarah hopes to hone her talents to reach more with the saving message of the Gospel.

Title

Faith Warriors: The EduWars Edition (A True Story Documentary Film)

Artist Statement

“Faith Warriors: The EduWars Edition - A documentary Film” presents snippets of the true riveting life experiences of two Christians who faced persecution in the Jamaican education system: one as a student at two tertiary institutions and the other as a teacher at a high school. The film highlights their perseverance in faith and boldness to stand for truth by continuing resolute in their stand as ambassadors for Christ (Ephesians 6:10; 19-20).

How it fits into contest

“Faith Warriors: The EduWars Edition - A documentary Film” presents snippets of the true riveting life experiences of two Christians who faced persecution in the Jamaican education system: one as a student at two tertiary institutions and the other as a teacher at a high school. The film highlights their perseverance in faith and boldness to stand for truth by continuing resolute in their stand as ambassadors for Christ (Ephesians 6:10; 19-20).
The video commences with a brief dramatic trailer used for the purposes of provoking internal thoughts of how we would respond if personally faced with adversity. The snippets of the testimony of the student exemplify the real-life application of standing faithfully for the Word of God, despite threats of possibly being barred from graduation. The second testimony of the teacher who eventually makes a tough decision regarding his job after futile efforts at advocating for changes to be made to anti-Christian 'Religious Education' and 'Christian Life Education' curricula. His testimony further exemplifies the stand for the Gospel of truth and righteousness through the power of prayer and salvation – all elements of the spiritual armour described in Ephesians 6:10-20.
The film also makes use of word prompters and military music beats to further embody the theme of Ephesians 6:10-20. Several Scripture references are interspersed between their testimonies to allow the viewers to keep the focus on this core message. The video ends with a testimony of God’s blessings after standing for Him in the battle, and an encouragement to all based on Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
It is hoped that this film will encourage those who are going through difficulties to be strong in the Lord’s Power, persevere in faith and prayer, and to inspire more to stand up for God and fight in God’s army in their own corner and circle.

Credits

Inspirer: Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-20)
Scene Director: Sarah Buckland
Interviewees: Joe B. and Fay B.
Videographer: Sarah Buckland
Editor: Sarah Buckland
All sound and video effects were included under the Creative Commons Licence (No attribution required), with derivation from the following contributors:
“Adventurous Odyssey” (Preview version) by AudioPanda (Melodyloops.com)
“Military Resistance” (Preview version) by Fabian Kreutzer Sound (Melodyloops.com)
“Medal of Honor” (Preview version) by AG Sounds (Melodyloops.com)
“Shofar” from Orangefreesounds
“Boxing bell” from Zapsplat.com
To God be all the glory!

Transcript / Lyrics

Screen prompt text:
Clip of Fay B (first interviewee): “My faith was tested at two tertiary institutions that I went to…”
Screen prompt text:
Clip of Fay B: “When you..you are among people who call themselves Christians, you are going to find yourself surprisingly being opposed…”
Screen prompt text:
Clip of Joe B (second interviewee): “I could not be a part of this conspiracy…I am a follower of Jesus..”
Screen prompt text:
Clip of Fay B: “…I was also told that she has the power not to let me graduate…”
Screen prompt text: <Chosen2Glow Ministries Presents…
Screen prompt text: <Faith Warriors: The EduWars Edition – A true story documentary
Screen prompt text (Profile of first interviewee): Name: Fay B | Occupation: Student Counsellor-in-training | Deployment: Two Jamaican tertiary institutions
Interview highlights begin:
Fay B: “My faith was tested at two tertiary institutions that I went to. The first one was a teacher’s college…”
Screen prompt text: “And accept salvation as a helmet, and the Word of God as the Sword that the Spirit gives you…” (Eph. 6:17)
Fay B: “In the lesson plan, you have a part where you have to put the source of the different materials that you are going to use, whether it be textbooks, whether it be charts, whether it be magazines. So I had, along with those things, I had the Bible, because to me, the Bible should be a part of the Guidance and Counselling…and of course, that was an opposition! I was told I should have never put the Bible in there as part of my material of teaching Guidance and Counselling, and I was insisting that, ‘no’, if you’re going to use all of these materials, I mean, how are you going to really counsel someone and leave out the spiritual aspect of them?
Screen prompt text: “…pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel’s secret.” (Eph. 6:19)
Fay B. “I was called to meetings to the Principal...and because of that, I was given the lowest passing grade, and I was also told that she has the power not to let me graduate….
I remember this incident that I was doing a presentation, and in the presentation, I was saying that ‘we have accountability’; and just using the word ‘accountability’, I was stopped in my tracks and asked: ‘Accountability to who?” and I said: “Accountability to God.”, and to my surprise, remember it is a Christian institution, the lecturer said to me: “Accountability to God? I cannot say that if I am teaching in a class…”
But you know, right at the end, near to the end of my stay there, I was asked for Bibles from some of these same ones that were opposing me. Some of them came to me and were telling me that, you know, they appreciate how I was so steadfast, and I have some impact on their lives. They see how I stand up against both lecturers and them as students.”
Screen prompt text:
Screen prompt text (Profile of second interviewee): Name: Joe B | Occupation: Teacher | Deployment: Jamaican high school
Second interview commences
Joe B: “In the latter part of 2014, the Ministry of Education introduced what was called the ‘New Standards Curriculum’ in Religious Education. I was immediately shocked by some of the fundamental beliefs of this new curriculum. The first belief is that ’God is defined as a supreme being, however this being is perceived.’ That means you could define God as anything or anyone, whatever you think God is, and yet, this is not how God has revealed Himself. (<Screen prompt text: <Sword combat: Exodus 20: 1; Isaiah 44: 24)
It teaches on page 8 of the curriculum that ‘all religions are human in origin’ (Screen prompt text: ).
But there is another curriculum that really gave me concern, and it is the ‘Health and Family Life Education’ Curriculum. It describes homosexuality as a ‘normal’ characteristic., and it is something that people should ‘embrace’, and ‘accept’ and even ‘respect’. (Screen prompt text: (Screen prompt text: ”
Commencement of the final section: Charge of Encouragement
Screen prompt text:
Fay B: “…So I am encouraging everyone who are going through this thing: ‘Stand up, and God will bless you’, because I have seen God’s ABUNDANT blessings..”
Joe B.: “..I want to encourage all of you to stand up for Jesus. Do not compromise. If you are a Christian, do not compromise! Stand up for what is right; even if it means leaving your job…as I did.”
Screen prompter text:

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