I had the great privilege of interviewing writer/director Chad Ahrendt and producer Chris Jones on their new movie, Reconciliation. I hoped to give them some tough questions, but they came through with flying colors. Enjoy the read!

Melinda Ledman: Reconciliation covers a very controversial issue. With the possibility of simply making a long list of enemies, what led you to create this film?

Chad Ahrendt: After surrendering my life to Christ four years ago, the Lord started revealing that He wanted me to make this movie. People have said this before, but I truly mean He wanted this story to be told, because I had ZERO interest in making this movie. I knew what a polarizing topic it is and the repercussions that might come of it.

The movie is loosely based on my own life and the reaction I had when I found out in the late '70s that my dad was gay. I was teased and bullied at school when a few friends found out about my dad, and I remember rumors being spread that I too was gay. I've never had same-sex attractions, but I surely didn't want to be guilty by association. So when my mom and I moved away, I made sure nobody would know about him. Then in the '80s, I started hearing homosexuality wasn't genetic, but rather a choice. And my fear turned to anger because he left my mother and I to pursue his desires. In my mind, he was making the conscious choice that I was less important.

Often we hear, "Christians or God hates homosexuals." But ironically, in my case, it wasn't until I surrendered my life to the Lord that I was finally able to fully love my dad. The Lord was very clear that He wanted me to love and forgive my dad as God has loved and forgiven me of all my messiness. Not only that, but as I read the entire Bible, the Lord exposed my own sexual brokenness as a "heterosexual."

Chris Jones: For me, it was simple. I saw a loving, respectful presentation of the Gospel. I saw needs being met. Ultimately, I prayed and asked God if this was a movie He wanted made. I believe I received a "yes." If God is with it, so am I.

ML: Who is the primary target audience?

Chris J: The movie is for those who have struggled with the issues in the movie. By that, I mean the movie is for everyone. Who hasn't struggled with forgiving someone who caused them great pain? Who doesn't know the difficulty of reconciling a damaged relationship? Who hasn't tried to share the Gospel with someone who is hostile to it? Reconciliation touches on both universal and current issues. No matter who you are, this movie is relevant to you.

Chad A: I agree, the movie is for everybody. Love, forgiveness, broken relationships, and reconciliation are themes we can all identify with. We've all been wounded by someone, and often times, by people very close to us. If we've lived long enough, we've probably hurt someone else. So forgiveness and broken relationships resonate with everyone.

Also, the movie mentions, "Everyone has a broken sexual orientation apart from God's original design." So again, the movie is for everyone. If one studies Genesis 1 & 2, we see God's good design before the Fall, and it's very far from what we see in society and within the Church today. God did not create us to be heterosexual, homosexual, bi-sexual, etc. In Leviticus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:16, God says "Be holy, for I am holy." God calls everyone to "Holy Sexuality" and we've all fallen very short of His call. Hopefully as people study God's Word, they will have a better understanding of what "Holy Sexuality" means. And in doing so, we can all be more compassionate as each of us repents of our sexual brokenness, turns to God, and learns to walk in obedience to God's holy and very good ways.

ML: So, do you think many Christians are being hypocritical about their own sexual orientation and sins?

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