Rusty Benson

AFA Journal associate editor

March 2013 – Home Run is real. Not the gritty, urban, street kind of real – full of sex, profanity and gratuitous violence that Hollywood claims is authentic – but a story of real hope for real sinners. The new movie from Hero Productions opens in theaters on April 19 (www.homerunthemovie.com). 

“We were looking for a way to organically show the heart of God toward sinners and do it in a way that is not preachy or predictable,” said Carol Mathews, one of the film’s executive producers. “And that’s a challenge for a filmmaker.” 

Mathews admits the movie is built on an existing story outline that has proven effective in such comedy hits as Doc Hollywood and Cars. However, there’s nothing formulaic or funny about Home Run, as it portrays the healing power of the gospel to rescue those whose sin has rendered them relationally toxic and self-destructive.

Home Run is the fictional story of Cory Brand, a hotshot big league baseball player whose fast lane life and cockiness hide a little boy crushed by an abusive, alcoholic father. Not surprisingly, Cory has followed his now deceased father into alcoholism.

After a drunken temper tantrum over an umpire’s call, Cory is suspended for eight weeks. Like other films that borrow from this narrative skeleton, Cory finds himself stuck in his proverbial podunk home town. There he faces his past, his demons and his Savior.

Prominently featured in Home Run is the ministry of Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step addiction recovery program that originated at Saddleback Church in Southern California (www.celebraterecovery.com). Currently, there are over 19,000 local CR groups meeting in churches across the nation.

Real life transformation
Mathews, who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she filmed Home Run, told AFA Journal that in 2010 she sensed God was leading her to make a movie about the gospel’s power to rescue those suffering from various kinds of addictions. 

As her team began to work on a screenplay, it became apparent that the CR ministry in her own church would be the right vehicle to display the main character’s addiction struggle, as well as God’s forgiving grace.

But if the movie was going to penetrate the hearts of viewers, Mathews knew it must portray Cory’s addiction with as much reality as possible in a 90-minute film.

“I think the movie will resonate with a growing part of the church that rejects the assumption that once you’re saved, everything is okay,” Mathews said. “So, first, Home Run is for Christians who are tired of faking it and need encouragement to face their sin, whether it’s an outwardly devastating addiction or secret, lingering sin that renders them fruitless as a believer.” 

For them, the praying and the worship and the Bible study just don’t work for this one dark area of their lives, she explained. 

“They love Jesus. But they have found that promised peace and real life change eludes them. And the worst of it is, they feel alone,” Mathews said. “They are certain that those seated next to them in their small group have it all under control and wouldn’t possibly understand, much less accept, this struggle. This movie is for those people. Those who feel alone and condemned. Home Run is for those Christians, as well as unbelievers, who think their lives can never change.”

Mathews said that’s why Home Run does not portray people neatly divided into those who are saved and those who are messed up. Everyone is seen as having a struggle with sin and everyone is seen as needing the Savior, not just to act better, but to be transformed into a new person.  

Home Run gets the gospel right
One bit of realism will not be lost on baseball fans who see Home Run: Scott Elrod, the actor who plays Cory, can really hit. There’s no faking a swing like Elrod’s. 

Likewise, the movie offers a believable portrayal of the twisted mess that sin, particularly addiction, leaves in its wake. Mathews manages that without dragging the viewer through the gutter, in part by working into the script actual testimonies from CR participants. 

In the end, Home Run shows an uncompromising, clear view of the gospel that is uncommon even in faith-based moviemaking. There is no sentimental salvation or faith in anything less than Christ’s underserved mercy extended to broken sinners. 

A romantic storyline involves a former girlfriend with whom Cory had a son. He abandoned them for his baseball career. In the movie, that relationship provides an opportunity to portray the confusion and hurt of family breakdown, as well as great hope for those who repent.

CAUTION: Viewers will want to note that there are a few scenes that include immodesty (cleavage) and at least two instances of mild scatological humor.

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Celebrate Recovery
In 2010 when Home Run was a new, unfinished story idea, Mathews had never heard of Celebrate Recovery. However, she had heard the moving testimonies of lives that were being transformed in her own church through the 12-step program.

As she learned more about CR, her enthusiasm for the ministry grew to the extent that it even changed her perspective about the reason God had prompted her to make the movie.

“I thought the Lord was calling me to do this film and to show His heart and ability to heal, and we were to invite CR to be a part of it,” she said. “Now I think God is doing something huge through CR and inviting us to be a part of that ministry.”

According to www.celebraterecovery.com, “Celebrate Recovery is a program designed to help those struggling with hurts, hang-ups and habits by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through the recovery process.” 

The website reports that over 700,000 people have gone through the CR program in more than 19,000 churches.

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Your Turn
→ See the movie. Ask God to reveal your sins and bring healing and restoration.
→ Invite friends and family to see Home Run.
→ Consider establishing a CR group in your church. Extensive training and resources are available at saddlebackresources.com