I don’t often think about the daily lives of missionaries around the world. While I live in my all-American, suburban fixer-upper, I get comfortable. I may not take my daily time with Christ as seriously as I should. I don’t live in a sense of taking everything to the Lord in prayer.
I get stuck in my western world. I know we need to get plugged into a local church, but there are so many to choose from. I get options paralysis and listen to a podcast or an online church instead.
All Christians deal with that stuff, right?
So stories that describe the reality of life for Christians in other countries often blindside me. I forget the struggles faced by the majority of the world. I forget the numbers of my faithful brothers and sisters who are persecuted each day. I often need a reminder that not everyone lives as I do.
I first experienced this film at the 2018 National Religious Broadcaster’s convention, when we got a few minutes to chat with Stephen Baldwin. He was sharing about his career and his life (and preparing to jump in a motorhome and travel the US with his dog…) but highlighted the experience working on the film. At the time of NRB, the film still didn’t have a firm release date, and the working title was simply STAINES.
He told about the power of this incredible story and the challenge of honoring the life of a real person. How filming in India gave him a new perspective. (He shared the all too real struggle of not being able to just run down the street to grab a Starbucks!) How he hopes that the film will spark a revival – not because God needs it, but because WE need it.
I feel like I’m pretty up on Christian happenings around the world, but the story of the Staines family floored me. And I had to ask – how did I not hear this story before? The 1999 death of Graham and his 2 sons had a massive ripple effect across India and the missions community … but how did I not know?
Since NRB last year, I’ve had the honor to watch the film again, now rebranded as THE LEAST OF THESE. The story chronicles a young aspiring journalist named Manav (Bollywood Star Sharmin Joshi) who is trying to make a name for himself. When he and his pregnant wife move to the Odisha area of India with the hopes of finding a career, they encounter Graham Staines picking up and caring for a young victim of leprosy.
Graham and Gladys Staines are missionaries from Australia who work to heal and help those afflicted by leprosy in the area. Their love and care for people is apparent in every moment of their lives. They are raising their three children in a family where everyone is equal. God’s love is for everyone, no matter their skin color, accent, economic condition, or medical needs. They work to not only care for the needs of the needy in their community, they seek to restore their hope and their dignity.
Shortly after their first encounter with Graham, Manav’s editor promises him a permanent position if he can prove that Graham Staines is paying people to convert to Christianity, which is illegal in India. Manav goes in search of the truth, and, unknowingly sets of a series of events that have been felt around the world.
I won’t add in spoilers, cause, well, that’s just mean, but let me say THE LEAST OF THESE does not disappoint. The cinematography is gorgeous, with many of the settings looking like they were just dropped out of a National Geographic. The script is solid, and I have to admit that Baldwin’s portrayal of Graham Staines is understated and honoring, a man not seeking praise, just wanting to be known as being a follower of Jesus.
I have to say I was surprised and moved by this beautiful film, and I have to take stock in what I am doing to help build the Kingdom of God. While not everyone is called to be a missionary, we are all called to love our neighbors – even the ones that don’t look like us, and who our outcasts in our communities. He calls us to be not afraid even in the midst of dangers. And we are all called to forgive…which may be the hardest part of the story to believe.
One big recommendation – make sure you bring along a friend, a spouse, or your small group when you see THE LEAST OF THESE. It begs for discussion after viewing. It will sit with you long after the credits roll.
THE LEAST OF THESE opens in theaters January 31 through Fathom Events, and then with a normal theatrical run Friday, February 1.
For more information – http://theleastofthese.movie
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