Our Productions and Awards

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Section 1: CHI Film Productions

Christian History Institute has produced many feature films, documentaries, and docu-dramas, often in conjunction with corporations such as the BBC and Christian Television Associates. Here is a listing of those productions from the most recent to the earliest. All are available on DVD from Vision Video. Be sure to register for e-mail updates to be among the first to receive information on new CHI productions and co-productions.

History of Christian Worship Series (2010-2012)

For followers of Jesus Christ, worship has spanned over two thousand years to include a long and diverse history of sacred practices. The many ways in which the faithful have preserved and celebrated God’s story is limited only by the human imagination. Learn more in the History of Christian Worship.

The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story (2011)

William Booth brings the gospel to the darkest parts of London. In The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story William Booth is determined to bring life-changing Gospel to London’s most troubled neighborhood, the East End. But when the local pub owners realize some of their best customers are becoming Christian, they hire thugs to get rid of the preacher once and for all. Watch as William’s ragtag band of followers marches into the East End with Bibles and prayer as their weapons.

Through a Lens Darkly (2011)

Through a Lens Darkly: Grief, Loss and C.S. Lewis will uplift the soul with moving stories of individuals and families touched by significant loss who have begun their journey to recovery, and who share their thoughts on the timeless wisdom of C.S. Lewis’s most personal and reflective book, A Grief Observed.

Winner of Best Historical Film at the 2011 International Christian Film Festival.

Perpetua: Early Church Martyr

A 2010 documentary, Perpetua: Early Church Martyr documents the life and martyrdom of Perpetua in Carthage around AD 202. This young mother dared to claim Jesus as her Lord in the face of Roman opposition, giving up wealth, freedom, and eventually life itself, rather than renounce her faith.

• Winner 2011 WorldFest Houston Silver Remi.

The Torchlighters: The Amy Carmichael Story (2010)

Amy Carmichael rescues children forced into a vile slavery in the temples of cruel Gods in India. The Torchlighters: The Amy Carmichael Story provides an animated and thrilling account suitable for children, focusing on the rescue of one girl—Preena.

The Making of the King James Bible (2010)

Arguably the greatest piece of literature in the English language, and certainly the most influential, the King James Version was born as a gesture of compromise amidst political and religious strife. Follow the whole story in The Making of the King James Bible. Learn More.

• Winner of a 2011 WorldFest Houston Special Jury Award.

A History of Worship Part 1 (2010)

A History of Christian Worship: Ancient Ways, Future Paths explores centuries of worship practices, as seen through the eyes of Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox believers. Part 1 of this six-part series focuses on the word, showing how Scripture, stained glass, sermons, and creeds shaped worship beginning in the earliest days of the church. Learn more.

• Winner of the 2011 WorldFest Houston Gold REMI award.

Wesley: A Heart Transformed (2010)

Step into eighteenth-century England and experience the transformation of one man, whose heart-wrenching search for peace haunts him even as he pours himself into a life of service and evangelism. Filled with adventure and romance, John’s story would be rich material for a screenplay, even without his remarkable faith journey! When combined with his fierce struggle to find lasting peace, you have a gripping tale that leaves the viewer contemplating faith, grace, sin and salvation as never before. In Wesley: A Heart Transformed Can Change the World we follow John’s journey from England to America and back again in search of grace. Learn more.

• Winner of the 2011 WorldFest Houston Platinum Remi award.

C. H. Spurgeon: the People’s Preacher (2010)

C. H. Spurgeon: The People’s Preacher brings to life the extraordinary story of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, famous preacher and social reformer in 19th-century England. When C. H. Spurgeon, the country boy preacher, accepts the call to move to the big city of London, he has no idea what a sensation his straight-forward presentation of the Gospel will cause. But, cathedrals filled with parishioners are only the beginning for this man of God. Spurgeon’s heart for the downcast leads him to found many ministries to meet the overwhelming needs he sees in the streets of London. See more pictures in our Film Gallery.

•Fred Grosmith Award for Best Christian Film – Christian Broadcasting. Learn more.

The Torchlighters: The Perpetua Story (2009)

Animated true story of Perpetua a young mother of the noble class who accepted death in the arena at Carthage rather than renounce Christ.

The Torchlighters: The Richard Wurmbrand Story (2008)

Animated account of Richard Wurmbrand who suffered in prison under the Communists in Romania.

The Torchlighters: The Gladys Aylward Story (2008)

An animated account of Gladys Aylward, the heroic “small woman” who won many Chinese to Christ and rescued 100 children during the Japanese invasion.

The Torchlighters: The Eric Liddell Story (2007)

Animated account of Eric Liddell famed for his win in the 1924 Olympic games and his subsequent mission work in China.

The Torchlighters: The John Bunyan Story (2006)

An animated account of John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress. Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Gujarati.

Robber of the Cruel Streets, George Müller (2006)

Robber of the Cruel Streets is the story of George Müller of Bristol and his faith work among orphans. Learn more.

•Platinum, Biographical/Authobiographical at 2007 Worldfest Houston International Film Festival.

The Torchlighters: The William Tyndale Story (2005)

Animated account of the life of the Bible translator and martyr William Tyndale. Languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, Gujarati.

• Gold Remi; Children’s Category at 2007 Worldfest Houston International Film Festival
• Silver Crown Award, Best Curriculum at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards
• Bronze Crown Award, Best Picture at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards
• Silver Crown Award, Best Children’s Film at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards
• Silver Crown Award, Best Youth Film at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards

The Torchlighters: The Jim Elliot Story (2005)

Animated account of missionary Jim Elliot and his associates who died bringing the gospel to Indians in Ecuador. Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, Gujarati.

• Gold Crown Award For Best Children’s Film at the International Christian Visual Media Association
• Gold Remi Award at the 2006 Worldfest Houston

Uncommon Union: The Life and Love of Sarah and Jonathan Edwards (2004)

An Uncommon Union: The Life and Love of Sarah and Jonathan Edwards provides penetrating insight into an amazing home and marriage relationship, one that left an indelible legacy in American history.

The Test of Time (2001)

A co-production with the BBC, the full title of this program is Putting the teachings of Jesus to the Test of Time, and that is what it does.

• Commitment—Columbus Int’l Film & Video, Honorable Mention 2001.
• Worldfest Houston, Gold Special Jury Award—Family Matters for Film and Video Production 2002.
• 2002 Crown Awards, Gold Award for Best Documentary, Best Series & Best Curriculum, Bronze Award for Best Youth Film.
• 2001 British Academy of Film & Television Arts Festival, Best Young People’s Factual TV Program.
• 2002 Cindy Competition, Silver Intl. Cindy Award 2003.

Jesus the New Way (1998)

Jesus: The New Way presents Jesus as you have never seen him before, asking how He understood himself, in his original context, in the setting of first century Judaism.

• Chris Statuette at Columbus International Film & Video Festival 1998
• Gold Award at Worldfest Flagstaff 1998

Candle in the Dark (1998)

Candle in the Dark is the story of William Carey and his groundbreaking mission to India.

• Gold Award at Christian Broadcasting Commission of UK 1998
• Gold Award at WorldFest Houston 1999
• Gold Award at Aurora Awards
• Bronze Plaque at Columbus International Film & Video Festival 1999
• Golden Eagle Award at CINE Golden Eagle Awards 1999
• Silver Angel Award at Angel Awards 2000
• Best Drama at CEVMA Christian European Visual Media Association 2000

Children’s Heroes from Christian History (1997)

These twelve animated tales of Children’s Heroes from Christian History include Sundar Singh, Hans Egede, Mary Jones, John Paton, David Livingstone, and seven others. Three videos.

The Reformation Overview (1995)

The Reformation Overview is a set adapted from six films which between them have won over 30 prestigious international film awards.

Discovering the Bible (1995)

Discovering the Bible is an overview of the Bible’s history, a look at Old and New Testaments, and an account of the remarkable story of the Bible’s preservation and influence.

• Gold Award from Worldfest Houston
• Bronze Statuette from Telly Awards

Zwingli and Calvin (1994)

Accounts of two famous reformers of Switzerland, Zwingli and Calvin.

•Creative Excellence Award from the US International Film and Video Festival.

The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church (1990)

From Christ to Constantine; Trial and Testimony of the Early Church. The first three centuries were decisive for Christianity. The existence of the church was threatened by powerful opponents. These programs bring you close to the early believers.

• Chris Award from Columbus International Film & Video Festival
• Gold Award from Houston International Film & Video Festival
• Silver Angel from Angel Awards
• Golden Eagle Award from CINE
• Best Series from Christian Visual Media International

John Wycliff: Morningstar (1984)

John Wycliff, a dramatic film, played in theaters around the world. It tells the story of a great, 14th-century reformer.

•”Best Film of the Year” from the Christian Film Distribution Association.

Section 2: CHI Books

• Dates with Destiny, by Ken Curtis, J. Stephen Lang and Randy Petersen. A survey of the 100 most important events in church history. (Out of Print)
• Faithful Witness, by Dr. Timothy George. A biography of William Carey, sometimes known as the “Father of Modern Missions.” Sample from Faithful Witness (PDF)
• From Christ to Constantine, by Ken Curtis and Carsten Thiede. An image-packed look at the trials and testimony of the early church. Sample from Trial and Testimony (PDF)
• Great Women in Christian History, edited by Ken Curtis and Dan Graves. A look at 37 extraordinary Christian women. Sample from Great Women (PDF).
• Robber of the Cruel Streets, the life of faith warrior George Müller. Sample from Robber of the Cruel Streets (PDF).
• This Day in Christian History, edited by Ken Curtis and Dan Graves. Events from church history for each day of the year. Sample from This Day in Christian History (PDF format).
• Wesley Country, by R. Bewes. Follow John Wesley through the parts of England on which he had such impact. Sample from Wesley Country (PDF)
• Quotes in Context, by Ken Curtis and Dan Graves. Famous sayings from church history in their original context (working title, in preparation).