Faith, Family, and Film: Western North Carolina’s Red Carpet Connection

By: about

Michelle Cox War Room Interview

Michelle’s interview with Karen Abercrombie who played Ms. Clara in the hit film “War Room”

The first thing you notice about local Asheville author Michelle Cox is her smile. Partnered with a sweet southern accent and quick wit, you can’t help but feel like family in her presence. She can cook a homemade meal that rivals anything in Southern Living while sharing humorous and heartfelt stories of family (6 grandchildren!) and faith. In fact, it’s fair to say that Cox’s inspiration as a speaker and writer stem from the 3 Fs: Faith, Family, and Film.

When she’s not buried in the laptop crafting weekly Guideposts blogs or text for her latest novel, (9 books published or soon to be released), Cox can be found jetting off to national film locations and premieres to interview actors, producers, directors, and other red carpet elites. These interviews and set experiences provide rich content for film reviews. Completed reviews end up published on http://ChristianCinema.com.

Michelle Cox Red Carpet Interview
When asked about her most memorable interview, she quickly names Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ, Person of Interest and When the Game Stands Tall), as his genuine kindness and deep faith made quite the impression. But she adds that interviewing Harrison Ford following the screening of a movie wasn’t too shabby either!
Cox’s interest in the film industry includes her own film aspirations, as she is the proud co-author of the Just 18 Summers screenplay, a project recognized as a semifinalist for the $50,000 Kairos Prize Competition (spiritual movies award). This screenplay is based on her 2014 fiction novel by the same title.

Part of the drive for Cox’s deep connection with the faith-based film industry is her genuine love for people. She writes: “I love getting into the hearts of the people who make the films. It’s a joy for me to sit and talk with them and to discover WHY they chose to produce or act in the movie of the moment.”

So you might be wondering why Cox isn’t based in Los Angeles, New York, or a similar metropolis. Quite simply, relocation isn’t needed. Asheville, NC is currently home to or a popular vacation spot for many film professionals, including location scouts and screen writers. In 2014 MovieMaker magazine recognized Asheville as the nation’s #1 small town movie moving area. As Cox explains, the mountains foster a creative spirit critical to production success.

With the rapidly expanding faith based film industry (think Georgia based Kendrick brother films and the current movie Risen), it’s safe to assume that Cox is well positioned to keep introducing the public to the film professionals who commit their lives to box office success. She will continue her writings and edits from her western North Carolina wooded retreat with hot tea in hand, Blue Ridge mountain sunsets, and grandbaby giggles in the background.

For more information about author Michelle Cox or the burgeoning faith-based film industry, see links below:
• https://www.guideposts.org/users/michellecox
• http://just18summers.com/
• http://www.newsmax.com/Hirsen/Christian-Films-Hollywood-faith/2014/04/21/id/566721/

***Blog Post by Lori Brown

Visiting a Catholic Church in Asheville NC

By: about

asheville catholic church basilica st lawrence

I remember growing up in Catholic Church, in Brooklyn New York, Park Slope area. My grandmother would always make sure that the family took time for faith. She would read her Bible regularly, pray holding her rosary beads, and sincerely speak to God from her heart. I was just a little kid, but I watched her every moment of it. When I “acted up” in Church, she used to threaten me that the guy who collected the offering was going to come out of the confessional booth and pull me in there. I sat still, for a moment at least.

Recently we stopped by the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in downtown Asheville. It was a Sunday and the service was in English. We took our seats, became a part of the service, and had a wonderful experience. We listened to a message of hope, and listened to the sound of music. We looked around and saw a diverse group of folks brought together by faith. We walked out of the church refreshed and inspired. Thank you!

WNC author, men’s spirituality expert Stamper featured in Ultimate Men’s Summit

By: about

Stamper shares how “The Warrior Spirit – An Ancient Imperative of Modern Man,” accelerates transformation of masculinity in the 21st century era of human growth, development, and potentiality in landmark international summit June 18

ASHEVILLE, N .C. (June 16, 2011) –Western North Carolina author and facilitator Gary Stamper, a pioneer in the alternative men’s spirituality movement, is a featured presenter in the international Men’s Ultimate Summit Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. PST/2 p.m. EST.

The segment, “The Warrior Spirit – an Ancient Imperative for Modern Man,” places Stamper firmly in the company of 75 respected teachers, authors, and elders including inspiring and transformational trailblazers like Neale Donald Walsch, Gary Zukav, Dan Millman, Hal Stone, Andrew Harvey, John Perkins, Claudio Naranjo and Gay Hendricks. The Ultimate Men’s Summit is the largest ever of its kind, dedicated to the growth, evolution, and expression of men in the modern world.

Known for his work with the “Integral Warrior,” Stamper helps men with a desire to assist human evolution transcend traditional archetypes and outdated stereotypes to embody the New Masculine, waking to their full potentials.

An international award-winning designer and national facilitator of the Shamanic Priest Process™, Stamper is also author of a pending book Awakening the New Masculine: the Way of the Integral Warrior, now under contract with Berrett-Koehler Publishers at http://www.bkconnection.com/.

“When we learn to embody the New Masculine,” says Stamper. “We integrate and call in all perspectives of the masculine with fierce awareness, stretching the boundaries of what is possible. We bravely hold space for the feminine, nature, body, spirit, integrity, wisdom and heart.”

“As men, we are waking up to our true gifts – and stewarding the emergence of a new era,” says Stamper. “We’re evolving a new form of masculinity – one infused with integrity, authenticity, generosity and virtue. And we’re living more purposefully and finding ways to serve a cause greater than ourselves.”

Gary Stamper’s segment, “The Warrior Spirit – an Ancient Imperative for Modern Man,” is Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. PST and 2 p.m. EST. To sign up for this FREE virtual event, and access segments in the Ultimate Men’s Summit through June 19 at https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/umsGS/gstamper/. For more information on Gary Stamper and his unique work with men’s groups and relationship workshops, go to http://www.garystamper.com/integralwarrior.htm/.

Sherri L. McLendon is a freelance writer in Weaverville, N.C., who specializes in helping entrepreneurs upscale their money mindset and apply spiritual principles in marketing, public relations, and media communications. Find out more about her done-for-you services at McLendon Bylines, http://www.sherrimclendon.com, or her divinely inspired marketing mentoring agency, Professional Moneta International, at http://www.professionalmoneta.com.

The Well in Asheville announces guest speaker Mark Hare April 3rd

By: about

THE WELL, an informal worshipping community in West Asheville, is excited to announce special guest speaker Mark Hare on Sunday, April 3 at 6pm.

Mark Hare works in Haiti with the Farmer’s Movement of Papaye.  Thirty years ago, the FMP started out as a small farmer’s organization with a few members.  Today it is a grassroots movement of thousands of community groups located throughout Haiti and includes 20 farming cooperatives.  Using techniques he learned during six years of volunteer work in Nicaragua, Mark teaches diversification of farming and integration of animal production with vegetables and other crops.  In a nation struggling for survival, Mark shares the good news of God’s abundance found in nature.

Mark received his BA from Warren Wilson, before going on to receive is Masters in forestry from Michigan State University.  We are thrilled to welcome him back to the Asheville area to share the story of his ministry in Haiti.

THE WELL meets at 690 Haywood Rd, in the fellowship hall of West Asheville Presbyterian Church.  for more information about THE WELL or about this special event, contact Bill Buchanan at billbaym@gmail.com or call 828-231-4634.

THE WELL is a ministry of Asheville Youth Mission

Lost Boy of Sudan, Abraham Deng, to speak at THE WELL

By: about

THE WELL, an informal worshiping community sponsored by Asheville Youth Mission, is pleased to host special guest Abraham Deng on Sunday, March 13, at 6:00pm.

Mr. Deng grew up as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.  At age 6, he escaped the burning of his village and began walking from his home in Duk to a refugee camp hundreds of miles away in Ethiopia.  Enduring warfare, animal predators, starvation, and the elements, he reached safety and eventually started a new life.  Now Mr. Deng studies nursing at Western Carolina University and lives in Asheville.

THE WELL invites the community of Asheville to come and join us as he shares his amazing story of endurance and triumph, and describes the faith that guided him along the way.

THE WELL meets in the fellowship hall of West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Rd.  For more information about this event or THE WELL, contact Bill Buchanan at billbaym@gmail.com or 828-231-4634