Message of Hope (2014)

Message of Hope: Directed by Tom Paddy Lee. With Mickele Hogan, Sean Tivenan, Midi Miller, Megan Lee Miller. Six children–three girls, three boys–living in a well-off community grow up with the benefits and luxuries that come with their birthright. They attend a Christian school where faithful Pastor Anne teaches them Biblical studies. But except for one girl, Sarah’s, compassionate efforts, many of the poor in the surrounding suburbs are left forgotten and ignored by the materialistic and wealthy yet uncaring adults, especially Sarah’s father James, who is hardened by the world around him. Although the children attend a Christian school, Sarah’s views are widely uncommon among her friends, except for John, who pays close attention to her every move. The two form a spiritual bond, one they hope to maintain forever as someday Heaven awaits. When they are 18-year-old high-school seniors, Sarah feels rejected by the world around her, with the exception of John and Mr. Henshaw, a homeless man she befriends. But after Mr. Henshaw’s untimely passing, tragedy suddenly hits when another of the boys, Michael, shatters the world around them by committing suicide. Sarah cries out for love and attention, but one senseless act drives her to the brink of destruction. As she recovers, she spends summer away from her friends. The neighboring community of friends and adults gather and desperately try to make sense of what drove Michael to suicide and Sarah to near destruction. Sarah’s close friends begin to realize that money and material things are not so important, but the love and compassion that Sarah shows is what they truly desire and is strong enough to change the world for the better. When John receives a visit from an “Angel of GOD” he writes a story of hope and compassion, “A Message of Hope,” to honor his dear friends, Michael and Sarah. As the children’s parents begin to wonder what is right and what is wrong, a sense of fortunate birthright might not be what they all thought it once was. But the children quickly realize that there are no victims; we all have the power of choice: to choose Life and Love. The school year comes to a close and the summer eventually draws to an end, but not before the return of an old friend. Love is rekindled between John and Sarah, a love that unites them on Earth as young adults as they wait for the glory of Heaven.

“This was a positive, feel-good movie with a good message.”