Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

Ridgerock Entertainment Group and P23 Entertainment Inc. have announced January 8, 2016 as  theatrical release date for The Masked Saint.  The family-friendly action film is being distributed via Freestyle Releasing and is the first film produced under Ridgerock Entertainment Group’s newly formed Ridgerock Faith division.

Starring Brett Granstaff (Vice) as Christopher ‘The Saint’ Samuels, a former professional wrestler who retires from the ring to settle down as a small town pastor. When Samuels witnesses rampant problems in the community, he decides to moonlight as a masked vigilante fighting injustice. While facing crises at home and at the church, Samuels must evade the police and somehow reconcile his secret, violent identity with his calling as a pastor. Inspired by the real life of Pastor Chris Whaley, the film is based on his book of the same name. 

Winner for Best Picture at the 2015 International Christian Film Festival, The Masked Saint is written by Scott Crowell and Brett Granstaff, directed by Warren P. Sonoda, produced by Cliff McDowell, co-produced by David Anselmo and executive produced by Gary Granstaff and Joe Sisto. The movie also stars Lara Jean Chorostecki (Hannibal), Oscar and Emmy nominee Diahann Carroll (Grey’s Anatomy, White Collar), Patrick McKenna (The Red Green Show), James Preston Rogers (Pixels) and the late WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper in his last confirmed theatrical release. 

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11