A CHRISTIAN MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION RESOURCE CONNECTING PEOPLE TO JESUS
▶ St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church ▶ 9628 48th Avenue, Jenison, Michigan 49428 ▶ Phone: (616) 846-1155
▶ ACM Studio/Office Hours: Monday-Saturday by Appointment ▶ Email Us with Inquiries: stjlmedia@gmail.com
▶ St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church ▶ 9628 48th Avenue, Jenison, Michigan 49428 ▶ Phone: (616) 846-1155
▶ ACM Studio/Office Hours: Monday-Saturday by Appointment ▶ Email Us with Inquiries: stjlmedia@gmail.com
Michigan LCMS Recognizes ACM Ministry at Convention
St. John Receives The Gutenberg Award
St. John Lutheran Church was the recipient of The Gutenberg Award at the Michigan LCMS All Professional Church Workers Conference at The DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids on Monday evening, November 20, 2023. The Gutenberg Award was presented in recognition of Allendale Christian Media. Accepting the award on behalf of St. John was Kristen and Kevin Collier, ACM Studio managers. The award is "For embracing and integrating modern communication channels to build community and spread the saving power of the Gospel." Over 1,000 attended the Banquet, which included Michigan District LCMS Pastors and dignitaries. St. John's ACM Studios was chosen for its animation works presenting two cartoon series, both of which were presented on two big-screen monitors in the Convention Room. Photos - The Colliers on stage accepting the award from Rev. David Davis, President of the Michigan District. Watch home video of event here. |
New "Tiny Ocean Tails" Puts Spotlight on DeAnn Alaine
Christian Comedienne/Performer Composes "Tune" for Cartoon
The fourth episode of ACM’s animated cartoon series “Tiny Ocean Tails”, released on September 29, 2023, throws a spotlight on award-winning Christian comedienne and composer/singer DeAnn Alaine in the role of Sparkles the Starfish. In the cartoon, titled "Got My Sparkle Back," Sparkles loses her shine and shares the story with her friends about how and from whom she got her "sparkle" back. DeAnn Alaine wrote, composed and performs the song created specifically for this "music video" episode. The main cast of characters features actress Venus Monique (as Jolly the Jellyfish), Matthew Todd (as Giddyup the Seahorse), Jerry Della Salla (as Stripe the Bass) and Dray Hill (as Tango the Octopus.) Also, a new series of mini cartoons featuring "Tiny Ocean Tails" characters has premiered. The series, under the "Microtoons" banner, features faith messages in an animated narrative, each video running from 1.5 to 2 minutes in length. The first, featuring Sparkles the Starfish in "All That Glitters." Watch all of the "Tiny Ocean Tails" cartoons here. Pictured: Comedienne DeAnn Alaine.
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Confronting and Exposing the Devil in Modern Times
"Spiritual Warfare 101" Series Debuts
A new Allendale Christian Media Ministry Series, "Spiritual Warfare 101," made its debut premiered on August 14, 2023. The series will present one topic related to spiritual warfare with three different Pastors providing a Biblical viewpoint. The first entry will feature Reverends Pete Larsen, David Miller and Gary Kirschke, pictured from top to bottom at left, and Reverend Rodney Otto (not pictured). The series serves both as an introduction to the wiles of the devil but also as a guide to train up Christians who may be distracted or misdirected by Satan's lure. Topic questions for a growing roster of Pastoral guests include the many ways the devil uses worldly things and emotion to create distance between us and Jesus. Follow the series here.
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Mich. District Digital Media Director Reports on ACM
Jeff Heisner, Digital Media Director/Video Journalist at Michigan District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, visited Allendale Christian Media studios at St. John Lutheran Church (Jension, MI) May 16, 2023, to interview Kristen and Kevin Collier about Allendale Christian Media's mission and direction. As a result, a video report and article were released on June 29. Mr. Heisner shot video for the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church's media outreach to show LCMS members ACM's operational outreach with special interest on the animation projects and original cartoons being produced. Showcased are ACM's “Tiny Ocean Tails” animated series, which will be premiering on Tubi TV by the fall of this year, and ACM's “Bible Bea,” faith-based educational cartoon. Also highlighted was the Collier's "Marty," cartoon series, based on Reformer Martin Luther, created a decade ago and being revived on streaming platforms. Discussion focused on how the LCMS should incorporate animation software in their Sunday Schools where young creatives can develop their own animated faith-based productions. This model would provide young Christians with a skill, as animation is used in many business and advertising applications, not just "cartoons," and presents an ideal opportunity to minister the Word of Jesus Christ through a popular form of media. Read Mr. Heisner's ACM article here.
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Buzz is All About the BibleA new educational animated cartoon series designed to connect with and inspire Christian Families and Children premiered on June 17, 2023. The series, "Bible Bea," features a Bumble Bee named Beatrice, whom everyone knows as Bea, teaching the meaning behind select Bible Verses and presenting scripture readings. Bea will point to a blackboard where the lessons will be displayed. Episode 3 was released on October 7, 2023. Author, Aleesa St. Julian, age 13, plays Beatrice. You can visit her website and discover this young Christian influencer! The objective is to network this feature for use in Sunday School classes, free of charge. Watch all of Bible Bea's cartoons here.
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Skylight Quartet "All My Hope" Music Video Coming
Fantastic Four of Harmony Sing Title Track
ACM will soon begin recording its first music video featuring the fantastic four of Gospel music, the Skylight Quartet. The video will capture members Robert Vander Leest, Kurt Vander Loon, Jeff Ulicny and Mike Looney performing the title track off their new album, "All My Hope." God has richly blessed Skylight and continues to use them to spread the word of hope and salvation throughout the mid-west, preserving Southern Gospel music and style so popular since its inception. "All My Hope," a song with lead vocals by Mike Looney, is about how a personal relationship with Christ is life-changing and transformational. This new album was recorded in Nashville earlier this year. Watch a concert via our YouTube channel and visit online.
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Short Film "Words" to Enter Production This Fall
ACM will begin production the Spring of 2024 on a new short film soon titled “Words." The drama features an individual on an autumn walk who encounters a series of post-it notes on a path. Each sticky-note displays a single word, but assembled together, is there a message here? The lead role is going to be presented to Hunter Tuggle, who appeared in ACM's first short film, "The Color of Hope." The film will run about 5 minutes.
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All content produced at Allendale Christian Media must support biblical truths and Scripture with an intent to minister the Good News to others and connect people to Jesus Christ.