Hello, my name is Jordan. I am a filmmaker and a Jesus follower. I believe the stories we tell through movies can impact people to their core. As I was seeking God about my next film I felt the call to reach the lost, specifically to reach my generation, Gen Z. However, I struggled to understand what exactly my generation needed to hear: Did they need a deeper understanding of the dangers of drugs, alcohol overuse, and premarital sex? How about an understanding that their lives have value, and that suicide is not the answer? Or, maybe that mindless scrolling can lead to mindless living? I didn't know, there was too much to address. So I prayed.

A few days later I found myself at a worship night, put on by dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we began, I felt the Lord was telling me that He would show me what the film would be about and in turn pair that revelation with a testimony. Mid-set a prophetic word was shared concerning those in the room with impatient fathers, and how those impatient fathers have skewed the image of God the Father. It was at that moment that I heard these words ring through my head: "The Fatherless Generation." It suddenly all made sense to me and I began spewing out words into my notebook, writing a story about a loving father giving up his life for his adopted son. Later that night, I was led to talk to a man. He told me he had grown up fatherless and in a rough household, having to essentially raise himself. He lived seeking the pleasures of the world and eventually hit a low point, overdosing and flatlining. Yet, God had mercy. In his unconscious state he was shown an unexplainably peaceful place and what was to come. When awakening, his life was changed and his priorities were set. He was commissioned by The Prince of Peace. This confirmed what I felt from the Lord. I came to an understanding that generations are led into darkness not because it is what they want but because they don't know the love of a father and the love of The Father. Gen X, the generation that came after the Baby Boomers, was the first in which it seemed normal to have divorced parents. Most Millennials, in turn, found it best to live with their partners instead of getting married, to test the waters before committing. This has led to a generation of confusion. What does a family look like? A father? A mother? What does commitment look like? What even is the point of marriage?

Instead of understanding these questions, they go unanswered. Gen Z seems to be a part of a global experiment to see what happens when the family is broken apart, when technology takes over, and when escapism feels like the only answer. Drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, endless scrolling, suicide... anything else, just not the reality of hurt and brokenness.

So why bring this all up? It's because I'm one of the lucky ones. Caring and sober parents, a stable household, no fighting, and a family pursuing Christ. I've struggled with my own addictions and issues, sure, but I can't say I know the deeply experiential struggle of my generation. And yet, I feel this call to reach them, to show them the life-altering love of our Creator, who is the "...father of the fatherless..." (Psalm 68:5). They must know there is a Father, a Guardian, that will never leave them, never neglect them, and will never lead them astray. A Father that loves them so much, so deeply, that He gave up His one and only Son to carry our sin and our judgement. All for the chance that they would choose Him, that his kindness would lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4). When we have the Father, we don't need escapism, we don't need self-righteousness, and we don't need to be satisfied by anything else, we just need Him. If they knew this love, they would never, ever be satisfied with anything less than Love Himself.

That's where you come in. I want to hear your story, your voice. I want to hear about your experience growing up neglected, hurt, parentless, God-less, etc. and how that affected your actions and reactions. Then, what was it like finding God the Father and His Everlasting Love? I believe the stories of the people are what is going to truly shape this film into a narrative that will reach the lost, the distracted, the neglected, and the fatherless, of this generation and those to come. Write a lot or write a little... whatever you feel will help this project be as authentic and meaningful as possible.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your vulnerability and contributions.