Church Fundraising

Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia has produced three movies as ministry tools (“Flywheel,” “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof”) that have returned over $90 million.

Their movie-making venture was begun by two associate pastors, brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who had a passion for film and a passion for Christ and decided to combine the two.  They made their first film, “Flywheel,” about a dishonest car dealer whose life is transformed by Christ and gained local support and encouragement.  Their second movie, “Facing the Giants,” about a struggling high school football team, used part of its $100,000 budget to hire a professional cinematographer to improve quality.  It was shown in theaters, on Christian TV stations and released on DVD.  Their most recent movie, “Fireproof,” about a firefighter’s struggle to save his marriage has been enormously successful and generated study guides that are used in marriage ministries across the nations.  Sherwood Pictures financial results:

Title                        Budget      Box Office                                  DVD Sales

Facing Giants           $100,000   $10,178,331              $19,972,025

Fireproof                    $500,000   $33,451,479              $28,507,308

About 17 million people belong to the seven largest historically Black congregations.

AME     AME Zion         Nat’l Baptist Con. USA

1.2 mil  1.5 mil              8 million

COGIC Progressive      Nat’l Baptist America

8 mil    .7 mil               2.5 million

Tyler Perry Company

Title                         Budget          Box Office           DVD Sales

Madea’s… Reunion   $10,000,000   $63,308,879             $26,318,428

Meet the Browns       $20,000,000   $41,975,388             $17,708,618

Why Did I…Married  $15,000,000   $55,204,525             $30,299,413

--Most successful African-American filmmaker whose “low budget” (under $20 million) movies generate great revenues (in excess of 20x their budget)

--Though Mr. Perry ultimately owns his movies, the profits they generate go back to the studio that distributes them (Lionsgate) and the retailers who sell them (WalMart and Target).

T.D. Jakes

Title                         Budget         Box Office            DVD Sales

Woman…Loosed      $3,000,000     $6,879,730             $6,000,000

Not Easily Broken     $5,000,000     $10,572,742           $9,519,147

--Movies based on and inspired by his books are owned by the movie studio that produces them, limiting his share of the profits.

--The profits Rev. Jakes generates go back to the studio that distributes them (Sony) and the retailers who sell them (WalMart and Target) despite the fact that Rev. Jakes provides branding and market support of the movies through his ministry.

What is ChristianCinema?

ChristianCinema is an African-American motion picture studio that will produce faith-based family-friendly comedies and dramas.  Movies will be distributed to consumers via home video, cable and broadcast television and the internet.

The company is the creation of Jacque Edmonds Cofer, an award-winning television writer and producer, and her husband James Cofer, Jr. an experienced financial professional.  Jacque is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School.  She has written and produced over 220 episodes of the most successful African-American TV shows over the past fifteen years, including “Martin,” “Living Single,” “Moesha” and “All About the Andersons.” 

James has over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, specializing in business development and tax strategy.  He is a graduate of the Owner/ President Management Program at Harvard Business School.