Good News - January 2019

MOVIES 24 JANUARY 2019 Good News • South Florida Edition An unbelievable display of love, “The Least of These” cap- tures the missionary journey of the late GrahamStaines, anAus- tralian missionary, whose inces- sant dedication to the lepers of India attracted speculative media investigation, leading to his mar- tyrdom in 1999. Opening in theaters Febru- ary 1, 2019, this movie marks the 20th anniversary of Staines’ hor- rific assassination for serving the outcast lepers of India – one of the most severe persecutions in the history of Christianity. “The death of Dr. Graham Staines, 58, director of the Lep- rosy Mission in Baripada, Orissa, India, and translator of the New Testament into the Ho tribe language, brought about profound effects in India,” Ac- cording to Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, author of Martyrdom: One Mis- sionary's Death Impacts the World's Largest Democracy. Story Shot and directed in India, the film, starring Stephen Baldwin as Graham Staines, Shari Rigby as his wife Galdys and Bollywood star, Sharman Joshi, as Journalist Manav Banerjee, illustrates how the power of courageously unre- lenting love and forgiveness over- comes fear and hate. In India, where Hinduismand different world religions opposed Christianity and its government opposed “forced conversion,” Gaines obeyed the law, loved the people and specifically ministered to the lepers – “the least of these.” However, in his hate for Christians, Prakash Belawadi, the biased editor of the New Orrisa newspaper, needed to find incrim- inating evidence to prove, even if it meant twisting the truth or mis- representing it, that Staines prac- ticed forced conversion. He manipulated and threatened young and inexperienced Jour- nalist Manav Banerjee to achieve this goal. In his desperation to grow his career and provide a better life for his family, Banerjee initially obeyed his editor’s schemes, believing that he was serving his country, only to dis- cover the innocence, truth and ef- fectiveness of Staines’ ministry, making him rather uneasy. Strug- gles in Banerjee’s personal life and his own fears further impelled him, under mob threats, to make an inadvertently dangerous state- ment that would impact not only Staines’ life, but an entire country and the Christian world. The grave nature of Staines’ assassination and the intercon- nected lives around this story echoed beyond India. However, the remarkably unbelievable for- giveness radiating from deeply hurt hearts also makes this movie worth seeing.Whether youwork in themission field, church, business, home, beyond international bor- ders or just seeking to grow your faith, this movie will inspire and change you from the inside out. Lessons This movie challenges us to respect humanity, while ob- jectively pursuing the truth without corruption or moral trespass and despite personal motives or outside pressure. Secondly, driven by career am- bition and fear for his own life, Banerjee’s words and actions unintentionally spurred a tragic event that echoed throughout the world. Hence, this movie dramatically shows the impor- tance of a pure heart, wisdom and discretion under pressure. Thirdly, the movie challenges us to courageously love the seemingly "unlovable" “least of these” and boldly speak for the weak while living above re- proach (Philippians 2:15). “Unfounded fear prevents people from doing good,” Staines told Banerjee. His story inspires viewers to not fear and shows how to boldly exercise the power of perfect love, which drives out fear (1 John 4:18). Jesus Christ encourages us that “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). Altogether, through Graham Staines’ story, we can learn how Christ, in His bountiful love, be- came a “leper” to save us from our own pride and shame, so we can love another “leper” like us. This is the legacy Staines left. “The Least of These” will open in theaters February 1. It is not yet rated. For more informa- tion, visit theleastofthese.movie. Lydia Hicks serves as edito- rial assistant at Good News and is a graduate of the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University. She can be reached at lydiah@good- newsfl.org. “The Least of These” – The Eye-Opening Story of Missionary Graham Staines Lydia Hicks Good News