About

Gratis 7 Media Group is a community of pastors and filmmakers who believe media and film are a critical element in reaching today’s culture. Our mission is to care for filmmakers that have a passion for the local church and to equip the body for service.

We believe story is a timeless tool that God has used to open the hearts of people to make Jesus Christ known throughout the world. Our mission is to help pastors share Jesus Christ as well as encourage missional living.

History

After 5 years on staff with Young Life, T.C. Johnstone moved to Southern California to pursue his passion for filmmaking.  While on assignment in Rwanda, Africa shooting a story on Rick and Kay Warren of Saddleback Church, life took a dramatic turn…

During production the team visited several small villages to meet with Genocide survivors and Aids support groups meeting in local churches.  While recording a 2-day pastors conference T.C. was introduced to a Global Initiative called the Peace Plan, which is a movement to mobilize 1 billion people to take on the world’s greatest problems by doing the things Jesus Christ did while on earth.

P romote reconciliation
E quip servant leaders
A ssist the poor
C are for the sick
E ducate the next generation

During the conference a simple question was asked, “What is in your hands? What talents do you have that God could use?” This question resonated deep in his heart.  For the past year a group of young artists had been praying in his apartment in LA about this very thing.  Over the next 7-days in Rwanda it was clear; he was to make movies to motivate and mobilize the body of Christ to take an active part is PEACE.

After arriving home a unique opportunity came in the form of a flood and a phone call. T.C. was again asked to travel with the Warrens to visit pastors and victims of Hurricane Katrina.  While Rick and Kay spoke with pastors, T.C. began story hunting within the back rooms of churches across the south.  With each church he recorded story after story of people who were being cared for by volunteers from around the country.  It was a living testimony of the power of the Church working together to serve others.

In a unique set of circumstances T.C. went on staff with Saddleback church as Rick Warren’s documentary producer. His job was to travel with Pastor Rick around the world as he introduced the Peace Plan to business leaders, pastors and government officials.  Each trip was a combination of meeting with leaders and visiting the poor.  During these trips T.C. recorded countless stories of changed lives.

Over the next several months T.C. began to meet filmmakers around the world that had a common vision, “media for a movement.”  Many were working for small production companies as well as local churches.  He saw a need for a ministry to care for these storytellers.

Between travels T.C. and fellow staff member, Bryan Uyeda, began a volunteer media ministry at Saddleback Church called Focus.   As they introduced the concept at conferences they learned that pastors wanted to learn how to use media within there churches.  T.C. and Bryan desired to care for pastors but T.C. had a fundamental problem, “I had become jaded by my experiences, I thought I knew all the answers.  Though I wanted to see the church move into the world, I had become its greatest critic.”  God in his way, had to change T.C.’s heart.

Journal Entry:

God forgive me for judging the Church and your family. I have become a critic of the people you care about most. I want what pastors want. I want what people want, freedom from my past, a hope for the future, and for others to come to know you. My judgment has stood in the way of my ability to serve you. God thank you for opening my eyes to see people the way you seem them.  Protect me from trying to fix the Church. I surrender to what you have taught me.  If it’s your will, use what you have thought me to serve pastors and churches.

Soon after leaving Saddleback Church to care for his mother who was diagnosed with cancer, T.C. established Gratis 7 Media Group with a few like-minded filmmakers and buisnessmen who believed in the vision.

Gratis 7 Media Group supports filmmakers who believe in redemptive story telling.  The second goal is to care for pastors by providing them with tools for transformation. We believe the hope of the world resides in churches locally around the world.