Category Archives: Business

Business, Entertainment

Angel Studios’ ‘Sound of Freedom’ Projecting $85 Million 2nd Weekend Cumulative Box Office

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Inspiring, True-Life Thriller Starring Jim Caviezel Projecting $27 Million 2nd Weekend, an Increase of 37% Over 1st Weekend

PROVO, Utah — /Christian Newswire/ — Angel Studios, a platform and studio empowering filmmakers to crowdfund, create, and distribute films and TV series globally, backed by thousands of Angel investors, is announcing its July cumulative-to-date and second weekend results for its Jim Caviezel-driven film SOUND OF FREEDOM. Angel Studios is projecting over $85 million total cumulative box office revenue through Sunday, with a strong $27 million box office draw in the second weekend of the film’s domestic release.

“While the entire summer movie box office lineup is underperforming, our small independent film continues to grow week over week. Driven by millions of fans and supporters, SOUND of FREEDOM has become a national, and soon international, movement for change,” said Jared Geesey, SVP of Global Distribution at Angel Studios.

“There have only been 10 wide-release movies in box office history that have had a second weekend increase greater than 35% over their opening weekend. All of them achieved this milestone during Christmas. Angel Studios is the only studio to accomplish this feat during the summer blockbuster season with ‘SOUND OF FREEDOM’,” added Brandon Purdie, Head of Theatrical Distribution for Angel Studios.

SOUND OF FREEDOM: Box Office Results

  • Theater count: 3,265
  • Weekend Box Office Projection: $26,938,888
  • Total Cum Box Office Projection: $85,498,581

SOUND OF FREEDOM: Audience Scores

  • CinemaScore: A+
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 72/100

SOUND OF FREEDOM is based upon the true story of former government agent Tim Ballard who quit his job to rescue a little girl from sex traffickers in the Colombian jungle. In the process, Tim ended up saving 123 people, 55 of which were children, from one mission alone.

For more information, go to https://angel.com/freedom

Books, Business

Goodwill Media Services: Empowering Authors with the Freedom to Become Micro-Publishers

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Goodwill Media Services Corp, a leading micro-publishing platform, is helping to revolutionize the publishing industry by empowering authors to take full control of their own publishing journey through what they are calling micro-publishing. With traditional publishing routes becoming increasingly challenging and time-consuming, Goodwill Media Services offers authors a faster, more efficient way to turn their writing hopes into reality.

In today’s competitive publishing landscape, the odds of getting published through traditional channels are stacked against aspiring authors leaving them with limited opportunities to showcase their work. Goodwill Media Services understands the frustrations faced by these individuals and believes that every author deserves a chance to share their message with the world.

“We help writers who are tired of the traditional publishing route, where being a successful author may take years to materialize. Let’s face the brutal truth: it’s a tough road,” said Carl Dobrowolski, President of Goodwill Media Services. “What does this do to their vision, their countless hours of refining their book? The opportunity to make a profound impact? There’s an alternative: Goodwill Media Services. We empower authors to become micro-publishers, ensuring their book is sold in months not years. Their message deserves to be in the market now.”

By offering authors the tools, mindset, and support they need to navigate the self-publishing process, Goodwill Media Services enables them to bring their books to market efficiently and effectively. Authors no longer must rely on publishers’ acceptance and lengthy approval processes. With Goodwill Media Services, authors publish their work on their own terms, making their message available to readers sooner.

“We believe that every author has a unique story to tell, and it is our mission to help them share it with the world,” added Dobrowolski. “Countless individuals have turned to us and transformed their lives and careers by having their book published under their name. They like the path we offered them — one of freedom and success.”

Goodwill Media Services offers a range of comprehensive publishing services, a wide selection of publishing and coaching packages for every budget, including editing, cover design, formatting, marketing, and distribution. With a focus on empowering authors and ensuring their success, the platform aims to reshape the publishing industry and create new avenues for aspiring writers.

For more information about Goodwill Media Services, please visit www.goodwillmediaservices.com.

Business, Ministry

Gloo Launches New AI & the Church Initiative

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The initiative includes a $25 million investment fund to accelerate responsible AI innovation in the faith ecosystem

BOULDER, Colo.- Christian Newswire/ — Gloo, the leading technology platform dedicated to connecting the faith ecosystem and releasing its collective might, announced a new effort, the “AI & the Church Initiative” to empower the Church to responsibly navigate and engage the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). The AI & the Church Initiative includes multiple components including collaborative funding, events, resource hubs, content, and participation in a cross-industry working group for the responsible use of AI in ministry.

“We believe there is a moral imperative to responsibly use technology to advance human flourishing. AI is a powerful technology that should better support, not replace, relationships,” said Scott Beck CEO and co-founder of Gloo.

The initiative includes a $25 million AI investment fund to invest in efforts at the forefront of responsible AI research and development within the faith ecosystem. Gloo will partner with other aligned investors and organizations who are also seeking to advance the responsible use of AI.

An additional component of the Gloo commitment to AI is a first-of-its-kind hackathon, an event rallying developers from across the U.S. who will come together and rapidly advance AI-based technology to serve the faith ecosystem. Slated for this fall in Boulder, Colorado, the event promises to advance groundbreaking technologies leveraging the Gloo platform, where winning creators will receive awards and acceleration from a $1 million funding pool.

Gloo will launch this month the AI & the Church Hub, which will provide a single place where leaders can access the most current AI news, events, insights, and recommended technologies from top thought leaders. The hub will be a centralized, trusted place where church leaders can stay informed on all things AI & the Church. Ministry leaders can sign up to be notified once it goes live.

Partners across technology, content, research, ministry and funding are joining the initiative to ensure that the entire Church is served well in the conversation. “Understanding what AI means for ministry is vitally important to Christian leaders and their communities. We are honored to continue Barna’s partnership with Gloo for this significant effort. They’ve purposely created an initiative in which anyone and everyone in Christian ministry can participate,” said David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna.

Some of the participating partners include David Kinnaman (Barna Group), Bobby Gruenewald and Nona Jones (YouVersion), Rob Hoskins (OneHope), Ed Stetzer (Talbot School of Theology at Biola University), Kenny Jahng (AIforChurchLeaders.com), Carey Nieuwhof, Bishop Claude Alexander (The Park Church), Tim Dalrymple and Nicole Martin (Christianity Today), Ben Elmore (Servant.io), Scott Evans (Outreach Media Group), as well as many collaborative initiatives such as AI and Faith, and others (expanded list available at gloo.us/ai).

Gloo will become part of a working group of organizations coming together to align and define standards for the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in the faith ecosystem. “As church leaders, it’s important for us to approach every new technology innovation thoughtfully and intentionally. This won’t be figured out by any one organization—it will take a concerted effort across the faith community,” said Bobby Gruenewald, CEO of YouVersion.

“Our ultimate goal is to connect and release the collective might of the Church. The AI & the Church Initiative is all about helping leaders do that,” said Steele Billings, Head of Gloo Exchange and AI Initiatives at Gloo. “We know leaders are asking how or if AI can benefit them in their ministry and in serving their communities. And most importantly, how can it help people have deeper relationships with God and one another? Whether it’s collaborative funding, new technologies, gatherings, or equipping resources, Gloo is committed to empowering church leaders to responsibly leverage AI to help fulfill their missions.”

Gloo welcomes faith leaders who are eager to help the Church drive a global conversation around the responsible use of AI. Find ways to get involved and read Gloo’s full statement at gloo.us/ai.

Business, Ministry

Cooke Media Group Wins Eight Telly Awards for Feature Documentary and Fundraising Videos

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LOS ANGELES — Christian Newswire/ — Cooke Media Group announced its win of eight Telly Awards in the record-breaking 44th Annual Telly Awards. Honoring excellence in video and television across all screens, competing companies include major Hollywood studios Disney, Universal, Netflix, and Paramount as well as corporations such as Apple, Sony and Microsoft. Cooke Media Group’s Telly Wins represented high-caliber work in videography/cinematography, cause marketing, editing, writing, voice-over and documentary filmmaking.

“With a decade-high record number of exceptional entries submitted, winners truly represented the most innovative stories being told across all screens,” said Sabrina Dridje, executive director of the Telly Awards. She added, “As a Telly Winner, you are truly a standard bearer of excellence in our industry.”

The winning entries produced by Cooke Media Group are:

  • Silver Telly Award: Museum of the Bible–5th Anniversary
    Winner in Non-Broadcast–Videography/Cinematography: Official Listing
     
  • Silver Telly Award: The George Shinn Foundation Charity Car Auction: Benefit for Ukraine
    Winner in Non-Broadcast–Cause Marketing: Official Listing
     
  • Silver Telly Award: Voice of the Martyrs–The John Chau Story
    Winner in Non-Broadcast–Editing: Official Listing
     
  • Silver Telly Award: Nativity–The Art of Maltese Crib-Making
    Winner in Television–Editing: Official Listing
     
  • Silver Telly Award: Nativity–The Art of Maltese Crib-Making
    Winner in Television–Writing: Official Listing
     
  • Silver Telly Award: Nativity–The Art of Maltese Crib-Making
    Winner in Television–Documentary: Long Form (Above 40 minutes): Official Listing
     
  • Bronze Telly Award: Nativity–The Art of Maltese Crib-Making
    Winner in Television–Videography/Cinematography: Official Listing
     
  • Bronze Telly Award: Nativity–The Art of Maltese Crib-Making
    Winner in Television–Voiceover (Roma Downey): Official Listing  

“As a Christian company, our goal is to convey excellence in every form of messaging we produce, whether it’s a fundraising video, broadcast television, film or documentary,” shared Phil Cooke, co-founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group. Thrilled to receive the coveted Telly Awards, he added, “We were particularly excited that what our team produced for the Museum of the Bible fundraising event was recognized in competition with top studios in Hollywood and international spheres.”

The Telly Awards report 2023 as a record-breaking year with nearly 13,000 entries from across the globe and top video and television content producers. Cooke Media Group’s Telly Wins this year add up to a total of 28 Telly Awards since 2010 including productions for the Salvation Army, The Global Water Center, and TBN.

View the full list of 44th Annual Telly Award winners at www.tellyawards.com/winners.

View Cooke Media Group’s Telly Award wins at
https://www.tellyawards.com/?s=Cooke+Pictures and here: https://www.tellyawards.com/?s=Cooke+Media+Group

Business, Faith

Zarita Ann Melton’s newly released “What Color Is God?” is a charming children’s story that helps them to understand more of what and who God is

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MEADVILLE, PA. — What Color Is God?” is a lighthearted but important lesson of faith. “What Color Is God?” is the creation of published author Zarita Ann Melton, a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who has worked as a registered nurse for over twenty-five years.

Melton shares, “This book answers the question we have all wondered at times: ‘What color is God?’ The answer is clearly found in the Bible and explained in this simple story, which is told in a children’s Sunday school setting. It’s so simple it will make you wonder why we haven’t all seen it before.

Melton shares in hopes of helping upcoming generations value their own skin color, as well as the different skin colors of other people, and to honor and respect everyone’s connection to God.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Zarita Ann Melton’s new book will entertain the imagination as readers consider the thoughtful questions found within.

Consumers can purchase “What Color Is God?” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

Business

241 Organizations Honored as ‘Certified Best Christian Workplaces’ in 2022

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(Christian Newswire) — Best Christian Workplaces (BCW) has recognized 241 faith-based organizations and Christian-owned businesses as Certified Best Christian Workplaces in 2022.

As many organizations continue to face challenges related to the ongoing shift from virtual and hybrid work environments, these workplaces demonstrate upstanding dedication to building and protecting a strong workplace and prioritizing healthy working relationships amongst teammates and managers. 

Says Jay Bransford, CEO, “Although many people report increased productivity when they have more flexibility with their work location, it can also bring with it some unique challenges. Thus, when Best Christian Workplaces provides actionable data and feedback from our employee engagement survey, leaders of organizations feel well-equipped to understand which aspects of their culture are being negatively affected and in what ways staff would like more support from their supervisors/managers.”

Faced with high inflation and low unemployment, this year’s survey results also highlight the squeeze many employers have also felt in the area of rising labor costs. The factors highlighted in the survey, specifically concerning compensation, have helped organizations determine how pay impacts their employee’s levels of engagement and motivation, and their likelihood to look for higher-paid work elsewhere.

“Approaches to compensation strategy can vary, but the most successful organizations are proactive and intentional,” explains Bransford. “In some cases, leaders simply identify a need to better communicate their pay philosophy and benefits programs. And in other cases, leaders have identified a need to re-assess the pay, benefits and/or career path opportunities offered.”

Now more than ever, employees have the ability to choose where they want to work and what they want their workplace to be like. As a result, employers who take the health of their workplaces seriously are at a significant strategic advantage. The 241 organizations honored today set the gold standard for excellence in employee engagement, and BCW is hopeful and expectant for the year to come.

“Imagine what would happen in our societies if Christian-led organizations decided to rise up and set the standard as the best, most effective places to work in the world,” says Bransford. “Not only would it mean that Christian-led workplaces would successfully attract and retain the best talent, but they would also be positively representing the nature and character of God in and through their workplace cultures. In doing so, they would bring more people to Christ. Now that’s something to be hopeful and expectant about in the year ahead!”

This year’s Certified Best Christian Workplaces list features organizations in the United States, Canada, Australia, Thailand, and Zambia, and includes a variety of faith-based nonprofits, churches, Christian schools, camps and conferences, and Christian-owned businesses. Validated by their own employees, certified organizations must meet the required scoring standard through BCW’s robust employee engagement survey.

For more information, visit Best Christian Workplaces online: workplaces.org.