Groundbreaking Christian Thriller Releasing Nationally July 17
July 16 2024 - 10:14AM
“Disciples in the Moonlight,” a faith-based action thriller that
will be released in movie theaters nationwide on Wednesday, July
17, is breaking new ground in the Christian movie industry. The
movie is a rare faith-based action thriller set in a dystopian
future where the Bible has been banned in the United States for its
offensiveness.How will the Christian community respond? Will they
cower in place or fight for biblical truth and freedom? The
story was written by Josh Strychalski, a 1999 Cedarville
University graduate who majored in broadcast
communication. In the movie, he depicts a small group of devoted
Christians who band together to smuggle the Bible to underground
churches.A natural-born storyteller, Strychalski masterfully
crafted the movie’s narrative, which he believes will capture the
hearts and minds of those who watch it. He is also one of the
leading actors in the movie.While this is Strychalski’s first
screenplay, he has been writing movies, novels, and short stories
since his days at Cedarville. He was challenged by the words of Jim
Kragel, associate professor of communications emeritus, who told
Strychalski and other communication students that “if you can
write, you can pave your own way.” Strychalski’s first
writing projects involved novels for young readers, short stories
and sketches. And this work paved the way for his first action
thriller movie.In 2013, Strychalski was asked by Brett Varvel, a
friend and the founder of House of Grace Studios in Brownsburg,
Indiana, to attend a meeting of filmmakers in Indianapolis, where
potential screenwriters were asked to brainstorm new movie ideas.
Later that evening, as Strychalski allowed his mind to race, the
vision for a future movie formed. He conjured the image of
moonlight, the sound of wind in the cornfields and the crack of
gunfire — “Disciples in the Moonlight” was born.Over the next 10
years, Strychalski collaborated with friends and colleagues to
craft a film he would want to watch. “Men are underserved in
the genre of faith-based films,” said Strychalski. “So, we set out
to make a movie that both men and women could get excited to see on
date night. The story is one that appeals to faith, exposes
authentic life-struggles and presents an adrenaline-filled "what
if.”After a decade of planning and production, “Disciples in the
Moonlight” is finally breaking new ground as a widely released
faith-based action thriller and is already opening new doors for
Strychalski as he is eyeing new opportunities on both sides of the
screen.“This movie has the fingerprints of Cedarville University
all over it,” said Strychalski. The phrase "For the Word of
God and the testimony of Jesus Christ," which functions as
motivation for the movie’s Bible-smuggling characters, is from the
book of Revelation. But according to Strychalski, it is also “a
total rip-off from Cedarville University” where it has long been
used as the school’s motto. “God used Cedarville University
in a big way in my life,” said Strychalski, “and its impact on me
is clearly seen throughout this movie."
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville
University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in
arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs.
With an enrollment of 5,456 students in 175 areas of study,
Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and
is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community,
rigorous academic programs, such as the bachelor's degree in
broadcasting, digital media, and journalism, and high graduation
and retention rates. For more information about the University,
visit cedarville.edu.
By Rich Stratton, Assistant Director
of Public Relations
Photo Captions
1. Josh Strychalski during the filming
of “Disciples in the Moonlight,” a faith-based thriller released in
theaters on July 17.
2. Josh Strychalski, screenwriter and
leading actor in faith-based thriller, “Disciples in the
Moonlight.”
- THE CHASE IS ON
- Josh Strychalski
Mark D. Weinstein
Cedarville University
937-532-6885
mweinstein@cedarville.edu