Michael W. Smith Movies

Jim Caviezel narrates this documentary exploring the story of eight Shelter Now International Aid workers and their 16 Afghan coworkers, who were arrested by the Taliban in the summer of 2001, and accused of attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity. Their story making international headlines, the group spent over 100 days in captivity. Some saw their arrest as justified, citing that they weren't aid workers at all, but instead missionaries operating under a false pretence. Others cried out for justice, calling for their immediate release. Interrogated and taken before the Taliban Supreme Court, the accused began to feel as if they'd been abandoned by the world. Then on September 11, 2001, their story would be shadowed by a catastrophe the likes of which the United States had never witnessed. Incredibly, the twenty-four captives lived to tell their remarkable story. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Two very different men are brought together and learn a mutually important lesson about the real function of a church in this drama. Ethan Jenkins (Michael W. Smith) is a man in his mid-thirties who after years of scuffling as a musician on the West Coast has decided to move back East and work with his father. As it happens, his father is Jeremiah Jenkins (J. Don Ferguson), a well known and respected minister who leads the flock at "The Rock," a massive "superchurch" where worship often looks more like a flashy multi-media presentation than a church service. Ethan becomes an associate pastor at The Rock, but it's clear he views his mission more as a business than service to the community, and Jeremiah decides his son needs to learn a bit more about what work at a church is all about. In the early '60s, Jeremiah helped found the Second Chance Community Church during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The inner-city neighborhood Second Chance serves is now a crime-ridden slum, and Jeremiah sends Ethan there to assist pastor Jake Sanders (Jeff Obafemi Carr) as he tries to maintain an oasis of peace and hope in the middle of a gang-dominated war zone. Through Jake, Ethan gains some hard-won wisdom about the true nature of faith and service, and he tries to share his new knowledge with his father, whose new congregation is a far cry from where he started his mission for the Lord. The Second Chance marked the first feature film role for award-winning Christian musician Michael W. Smith. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A mysterious stranger brings both spiritual comfort and a certain level of distrust to a small community in this drama based on the spiritual best-seller by Joseph Girzone. A mysterious man named Joshua (Tony Goldwyn) arrives in the small Midwestern town of Auburn sometime in the late 19th century. Joshua sets up a carpentry shop in Auburn, and soon develops a reputation for his kind and unselfish nature; after bad weather nearly destroys a church in the town's African-American neighborhood, Joshua offers to help repair the building, and has soon persuaded much of the community to offer their support, including Father Pat (Kurt Fuller), a priest at Auburn's Catholic church. Father Pat's superior, Father Tardone (F. Murray Abraham) is also struck by Joshua's talent, charm, and humble desire to help others, and asks him to carve a new statue of Saint Peter for their church. However, while much of the town is following the good example set by Joshua, when people begin to ascribe supernatural powers to the town's new carpenter, Father Tardone begins to become suspicious, and wants to know who Joshua really is and what he really intends to do in Auburn. Joshua features an original song score by popular contemporary Christian musician Michael W. Smith. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Michael W. Smith performs "You're Alright," "Restless Heart," "Wired For Sound," "Could He Be The Messiah," "Pursuit Of The Dream," and more. ~ Rovi

One of the leading artists in contemporary Christian music, Michael W. Smith has been inspiring fans with his powerful and heartfelt songs for more than two decades, and this special concert video preserves a special show designed to commemorate the high points of his remarkable career. Michael W. Smith: Live in Concert - A 20 Year Celebration includes performances featuring Smith and his band, a solo acoustic segment, duets with Amy Grant, and several instrumental numbers encompassing the full spectrum of Smith's musical mindset. Selections include "Signs," "Rocketown," "Secret Ambition," "There She Stands," "This Is Your Time," and many more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi