GOD'S USE OF THE SILVER SCREEN | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2021

Author: Shalini George

Intro: Shalini George writes about her conversation with four young friends on their foray into the film industry.

It is common tendency to alienate modern cinema and the entertainment world as unnecessary and superfluous, but let us understand how the church views the media and all its verticals: 

‘[Media is seen as part of the] unfolding and realization of a wonderful plan of God’s providence which opens to man’s genius ever new ways of achieving his perfection and of attaining to his final end’ (WSCD 1967). The Church ‘considers these instruments to be not only products of human genius but also great gifts of God and true signs of the time,’ (Ethics in

Communications 2000, Sec 4). Media are ‘“gifts of God” which, in accordance with His providential design, unite men in brotherhood and so help them to cooperate with His plan for their salvation’ (Communio et Progressio 1971, Sec 2).

From its inception, the JY movement has positively and successfully been a trailblazer in the Catholic Church of India, using all verticals of media to spread the Kingdom of God. Herein lies the story of four young people – regular boys-next-door, who with their ordinary lives have been an extraordinary influence to the movement and the church. Their simplicity, joie-de-vivre and authenticity are endearing.

Umesh, Jaiby, Gibson and Dino were the first set of hip-hop cum modern day street dancers of the JY audio visual ministry, who went on to become part of the Rex Band and all their international shows. 

During the late 90s, Jaiby, Umesh, Gibson and Dino – four inseparable friends from the same parish, who compelled by their assistant parish priest, unenthusiastically registered for the first ‘Exodus’, a JY zonal gathering in Ernakulam¹. Enthused by the programme, they found themselves willing to attend the consecutive zonal gatherings and events without much persuasion. Already ‘celebrities’ in their own right at the parish level for their dance performances , it didn't take long for the audio visual ministry to pick them up for Campus Meet programmes.

 It was in 1999 during the ‘Graceland Exhibition’ in Ernakulam, that they started getting actively involved in the movement. Being artistic and naturally talented, they were asked to help out by the various ministries involved. Each evening of the three-day exhibition concluded with a Rex Band show that the friends enjoyed dancing to, from the rear of the audience. ‘We started coming for JY programmes as hesitant participants and carefully treaded our way through the movement without any real commitment in the beginning. We kept coming back again because the programmes were enjoyable, engaging and kept us busy,’ said Jaiby. Their inclusion into the audiovisual ministry and the regular practise sessions that followed, slowly but surely transformed their lives. The practise sessions were always equally accompanied by praise and worship. In these moments spent in prayer they encountered Jesus, and the purpose of being part of the movement began to slowly unfold. Yet, these boys lacked a formal formation. ‘We were still childish, starry-eyed and hardly ready, but God picked us up as we were and used us,’ said Gibson. 

In November 1999, the four of them were invited to perform in the Rex Band for the first time. Umesh remembers, ‘from then on there was no looking back, we have journeyed with the Rex Band over the last 22 years, to more than 25 countries, spreading the joy of Christian living.’ Jaiby humbly reminiscences how ‘God, literally picked us, inconsequential as we were, from dancing at the back of every Rex Band show to putting us on the centre stage, in the midst of all the singers.’ Neither of them planned a future with a band, a career in cinema or the entertainment industry. Brothers Jaiby and Gibson remember their father’s anxiety at their ‘dancing around’ and his asking, ‘shouldn’t you be making something of yourselves?!'

God seemed to be directing Jaiby and Umesh towards the realm of cinema. The brothers began to work with Leo Thaddeus, who had carved himself a niche in the film industry with his value-based, family-centric films that were both secular and entertaining. Jaiby supported in script writing while Umesh got involved in acting and direction.

‘As a Jesus Youth, my mission was clear. We had a duty to be witnesses, wherever placed. Though it may not be always possible to make brilliant films with a positive message, I could always be a witness – in my choices and lifestyle,’ says Jaiby. There were times when they were ridiculed and called ‘hallelujah people’ by the industry folk. But when these people were in need of support it was to these friends that they would turn to for prayer, comfort and psychological support. They became genuine and trustworthy friends for everyone. 

Umesh and Jaiby are now in the entertainment business professionally and have started their own productions, intending to make films with Christian values. They believe cinema can go a long way in changing the narratives of young people today. Choosing to make good cinema, contrary to deluge of self-destructive themes like substance abuse, polyamory and pro-abortion, may seem ambitious. ‘But someone has to start somewhere,’ says Jaiby emphatically. Both Jaiby and Umesh confirm that there are plenty of like-minded people in the industry who are comfortable working with the brothers because they know what they stand for. The circle of such producers is also growing in number, along with secular films that have positive and value-based themes. Umesh sums it up eloquently, ‘preconceived notions of darkness usually prevent our venturing certain paths, but God calls us to be beacons there, so that those already on it will benefit from the light we shine’. 

Meanwhile, Gibson, though not engaged with cinema professionally, is the animator of the Kerala theatre ministry. With his constant interaction with young people he says, there is a tendency for the youth to misinterpret the movement as a means to define their career. This is a misconception they have, seeing senior JY leaders, who have become names to reckon with in the film industry, like Alphonse Joseph, Joseph Nellikal, Leo thaddeus, Sunish and many more. However, none of these stalwarts came to the movement thinking about defining their careers. They were attracted by the Jesus-centred lifestyle. Once in, they put all their talents and energies into building God’s Kingdom. It was the Lord who then showered them with blessings and allowed them to blossom, directing them towards cinema and its various verticals, to be his witnesses. Gibson also warns that the media field, especially cinema can be a quagmire, with potential to drown and mislead with its trappings and many false promises. Unless one is authentic, true to his or her convictions, and has a strong spiritual fellowship, it is a very difficult place to be. For the four friends, it has been friendship and their formation, journeying along with the Rex Band that has kept them steadfast in their faith. 

In my conversation with Jaiby, Gibson and Umesh, what I found most striking – and similar to my own experience – was the dynamics and infinite possibilities of the movement that attracts us to it. After the initial courtship with the rush of activities, there is a period where God slowly invites you to a deeper calling and commitment. When we respond positively to that call, he transforms us with an outpouring of his Spirit and uses us in ways we never thought possible.  Jaiby, Umesh and Gibson in one voice affirm that they are ordinary young people whose lives have been transformed and made extraordinary when they responded to the call of God through the Jesus Youth Movement.

A 5th batch full-timer, Shalini George works with Fourth Wave Foundation as a catalyst. She lives in Kannur, India with her husband and two kids.