Christian History Institute

films | books | pocket classics | study guides

Section 1: CHI Film Productions

We’ve waited more than half a century for a new feature film on John Wesley —but it’s been worth the wait! Wesley: A Heart Transformed Can Change the World delivers in a big way! From the richly detailed story line to the beautiful cinematography and special effects, this film delivers. Step into eighteenth-century England and experience the transformation of one man, whose heart-wrenching search for peace haunts him even as he pours himself into a life of service and evangelism. His life and work are especially relevant, as modern believers increasingly seek to combine hands of service with a heart of faith.

Filled with adventure and romance, John’s story would be rich material for a screenplay, even without his remarkable faith journey! When combined with his fierce struggle to find lasting peace, you have a gripping tale that leaves the viewer contemplating faith, grace, sin and salvation as never before. Follow John’s journey from England to America and back again in search of grace. Whether you know him as an evangelical pioneer or a pioneering evangelical, you will be inspired by the story of John Wesley. Wesley has played in select theaters and is now available on DVD.

Also be sure to take a look at these other resources available on John Wesley:

Encounters with John Wesley is an action-packed docudrama which follows Wesley around the English countryside. Included are dramatized versions of four Wesley sermons.

John Wesley Biography is a re-release of the J. Arthur Rank historical drama made in 1954. It follows the main events of Wesley’s life with careful dependence on the historical sources.

Wesley Country is a pictorial history based on John Wesley’s Journal. The layout and treatment of script gives the book a natural period flavor.

Christian History Magazine issue on John Wesley.

Purchase the John Wesley collection — all five items above — for only $49.99, a savings of 50% off the retail price of $99.95.

View images at Film Gallery. More information is available at www.wesleythemovie.com.

C. H. Spurgeon: the People’s Preacher.

Charles Spurgeon makes a point while preaching.

C. H. Spurgeon: The People’s Preacher brings to life the extraordinary story of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, famous preacher and social reformer in nineteenth century England. This docudrama was co-produced with Christian Television Associates, under the direction of Crawford Telfer. When C. H. Spurgeon, the country boy preacher, accepts the call to move to the big city of London, he has no idea what a sensation his straight-forward presentation of the Gospel will cause. But, cathedrals filled with parishioners are only the beginning for this man of God. Spurgeon’s heart for the downcast leads him to found many ministries to meet the overwhelming needs he sees in the streets of London. This DVD releases on January 29, 2010. See more pictures in our Film Gallery. Order your copy of Spurgeon today from Vision Video.

Be sure to register for e-mail updates to be among the first to receive further information on these and other CHI productions and co-productions.

John Wycliff: Morningstar (1984)

John Wycliff, a dramatic film, played in theaters around the world. It tells the story of a great, 14th-century reformer.

•”Best Film of the Year” from the Christian Film Distribution Association.

The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church (1990)

From Christ to Constantine; Trial and Testimony of the Early Church. The first three centuries were decisive for Christianity. The existence of the church was threatened by powerful opponents. These programs bring you close to the early believers.

• • Chris Award from Columbus International Film & Video Festival
• • Gold Award from Houston International Film & Video Festival
• • Silver Angel from Angel Awards
• • Golden Eagle Award from CINE
• • Best Series from Christian Visual Media International

Zwingli and Calvin (1994)

Accounts of two famous reformers of Switzerland, Zwingli and Calvin.

•Creative Excellence Award from the US International Film and Video Festival.

Discovering the Bible (1995)

Discovering the Bible is an overview of the Bible’s history, a look at Old and New Testaments, and an account of the remarkable story of the Bible’s preservation and influence.

• • Gold Award from Worldfest Houston
• • Bronze Statuette from Telly Awards

The Reformation Overview (1995)

The Reformation Overview is a set adapted from six films which between them have won over 30 prestigious international film awards.

Children’s Heroes from Christian History (1997)

These twelve animated tales of Children’s Heroes from Christian History include Sundar Singh, Hans Egede, Mary Jones, John Paton, David Livingstone, and seven others. Three videos.

Candle in the Dark (1998)

Candle in the Dark is the story of William Carey and his groundbreaking mission to India.

• • Gold Award at Christian Broadcasting Commission of UK 1998
• • Gold Award at WorldFest Houston 1999
• • Gold Award at Aurora Awards
• • Bronze Plaque at Columbus International Film & Video Festival 1999
• • Golden Eagle Award at CINE Golden Eagle Awards 1999
• • Silver Angel Award at Angel Awards 2000
• • Best Drama at CEVMA Christian European Visual Media Association 2000

Jesus the New Way (1998)

Jesus: The New Way presents Jesus as you have never seen him before, asking how He understood himself, in his original context, in the setting of first century Judaism.

• • Chris Statuette at Columbus International Film & Video Festival 1998
• • Gold Award at Worldfest Flagstaff 1998

The Test of Time (2001)

A co-production with the BBC, the full title of this program is Putting the teachings of Jesus to the Test of Time, and that is what it does.

• • Commitment—Columbus Int’l Film & Video, Honorable Mention 2001.
• • Worldfest Houston, Gold Special Jury Award—Family Matters for Film and Video Production 2002.
• • 2002 Crown Awards, Gold Award for Best Documentary, Best Series & Best Curriculum, Bronze Award for Best Youth Film.
• • 2001 British Academy of Film & Television Arts Festival, Best Young People’s Factual TV Program.
• • 2002 Cindy Competition, Silver Intl. Cindy Award 2003.

Uncommon Union: The Life and Love of Sarah and Jonathan Edwards (2004)

An Uncommon Union: The Life and Love of Sarah and Jonathan Edwards provides penetrating insight into an amazing home and marriage relationship, one that left an indelible legacy in American history.

The Torchlighters: The Jim Elliot Story (2005)

Animated account of missionary Jim Elliot and his associates who died bringing the gospel to Indians in Ecuador. Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, Gujarati.

• • Gold Crown Award For Best Children’s Film at the International Christian Visual Media Association
• • Gold Remi Award at the 2006 Worldfest Houston

The Torchlighters: The William Tyndale Story (2005)

Animated account of the life of the Bible translator and martyr William Tyndale. Languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, Gujarati.

• • Gold Remi; Children’s Category at 2007 Worldfest Houston International Film Festival
• • Silver Crown Award, Best Curriculum at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards
• • Bronze Crown Award, Best Picture at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards
• • Silver Crown Award, Best Children’s Film at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards
• • Silver Crown Award, Best Youth Film at 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards

Robber of the Cruel Streets, George Müller (2006)

Robber of the Cruel Streets is the story of George Müller of Bristol and his faith work among orphans.

•Platinum, Biographical/Authobiographical at 2007 Worldfest Houston International Film Festival.

The Torchlighters: The John Bunyan Story (2006)

An animated account of John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress. Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Gujarati.

The Torchlighters: The Eric Liddell Story (2007)

Animated account of Eric Liddell famed for his win in the 1924 Olympic games and his subsequent mission work in China.

The Torchlighters: The Gladys Aylward Story (2008)

An animated account of Gladys Aylward, the heroic “small woman” who won many Chinese to Christ and rescued 100 children during the Japanese invasion.

The Torchlighters: The Richard Wurmbrand Story (2008)

Animated account of Richard Wurmbrand who suffered in prison under the Communists in Romania.

The Torchlighters: The Perpetua Story (2009)

Animated true story of Perpetua a young mother of the noble class who accepted death in the arena at Carthage rather than renounce Christ.

Section 2: CHI Books

• • Dates with Destiny, by Ken Curtis, J. Stephen Lang and Randy Petersen. A survey of the 100 most important events in church history. (Out of Print)
• • Faithful Witness, by Dr. Timothy George. A biography of William Carey, sometimes known as the “Father of Modern Missions.” Sample from Faithful Witness (PDF)
• • From Christ to Constantine, by Ken Curtis and Carsten Thiede. An image-packed look at the trials and testimony of the early church. Sample from Trial and Testimony (PDF)
• • Great Women in Christian History, edited by Ken Curtis and Dan Graves. A look at 37 extraordinary Christian women. Sample from Great Women (PDF).
• • Robber of the Cruel Streets, the life of faith warrior George Müller. Sample from Robber of the Cruel Streets (PDF).
• • This Day in Christian History, edited by Ken Curtis and Dan Graves. Events from church history for each day of the year. Sample from This Day in Christian History (PDF format).
• • Wesley Country, by R. Bewes. Follow John Wesley through the parts of England on which he had such impact. Sample from Wesley Country (PDF)
• • Quotes in Context, by Ken Curtis and Dan Graves. Famous sayings from church history in their original context (working title, in preparation).

Section 3: CHI’s Pocket Classics

• • Clement’s First Letter to Corinth (Call 1-800-468-0458 to order)
• • Justin Martyr’s First Apology (Call to order)
• • The Lyons Martyrs and Their Persecution (Call to order)

Section 4: Study Guides to Accompany Videos:

• • Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer for People with Cancer view the guide | order the video
• • Reality view the guide | order the video
• • Knowing Eternity order the guide | order the videos and guide
• • Christianity and Islam view the guide | order the video
• • People Who Met Jesus, series 2 view the guide | order the video
• • The Parables of Jesus view the guide | order the video
• • The Path of Jesus view the guide | order the video
• • Jacob’s Ladder 1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 | order the videos
• • Reflections on Psalm 23 for People with Cancer view the guide | order the video
• • The Apostles’ Creed view the guide | order the video