Equipping filmmakers.
Evangelizing the nations.
Exalting Christ
About the Foundation
The Christian Film Foundation exists to champion a Christ-centered vision in filmmaking by equipping and inspiring the next generation of storytellers. The Foundation enables kingdom-minded donors to strategically help finance the training and support of Christ-centered filmmakers and projects that will take the Gospel to the nations.
After being surprised by the spiritual impact of Christian films like Fireproof, Courageous, and War Room that spread the Gospel and biblical truth to 80+ countries around the world, Alex and Stephen Kendrick launched the Christian Film Foundation in 2016 as a way to help expand Christian filmmaking and invest in the next generation of Christ-centered filmmakers. With more than 5+ billion smartphone users worldwide who consume countless hours of content daily, the vital need for biblically solid media content is great.
The world is desperately in need of powerful truth-filled stories that can deeply impact people around the world. The Foundation cultivates a Gospel-driven community through training, scholarships, and partnerships that unite filmmakers, schools, and Kingdom-minded leaders.
Our mission is to advance excellence in film production while promoting a biblical worldview that honors God and impacts culture through powerful, truth-filled stories.
About the Director
Ed Grifenhagen
Pastor | Speaker | Author | Set Shepherd
ed@christianfilmfoundation.org
As a pastor, Ed Grifenhagen has utilized Christian films for years to impact people with the Gospel in his church and community. As a Set Shepherd, Ed has provided spiritual guidance and pastoral care for hundreds of cast and crew members on multiple Christian film sets. As the new director of the Christian Film Foundation, Ed is passionate about championing a Christ-centered vision in filmmaking by equipping and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.
Ed spent three decades in the business world before transitioning into a career as a pastor, author, and speaker. He is the Lead Pastor at Church On The Trail in Columbus, GA. He and his wife founded M2540—a nonprofit ministry serving the homeless, which currently has over 40 member churches. He also co-founded Set Shepherds, which provides chaplains on film sets. Married to Susan since 1988, he is the father of two sons and the grandfather of four.
Ed was raised in a devout Jewish home. For much of his life, he dismissed the Bible as nothing more than a book of fairy tales—useful for moral guidance perhaps, but hardly true. At thirty-five, he decided it was only fair to read the book he had so easily rejected. Disproving it, he assumed, would be simple enough. But God had other plans. On January 2, 2000, he opened to Genesis 1:1, spent the next year voraciously engulfed in God’s Word, and on January 17, 2001, he surrendered his life to Christ.
Partner With Us
Please use the form below to reach out with your question or potential opportunity. Our team is happy to discuss ways to partner together, continue discipling filmmakers, and spreading the light of the Gospel through film and media projects. Thank you!