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Kristy’s next step
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
By Kristy
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” ~ John 3:8 (NIV)
And so it is with me! Being moved (literally - across states) by the Spirit was new to me, yet a year ago that is exactly what I did. I set off on this journey to follow a call to work at City on a Hill, and it has been quite the adventure. It was during this time, when I thought I had made this huge “leap of faith” that I began to sense God opening me up to even more faith-filled ideas, potentials, and possibilities that I would have never considered before. He has shown me the value of taking risks, as well as creating within me a discontent for staying with the safe choices.
While this past year continually pulled me out of my comfort zone as far as relocating, depending on Him and His plan for my provision, and stepping out to make new friends, I have stayed safe in my career choice of being an administrative assistant. No doubt, He has gifted me administratively, but this year He has also built in me a desire to be more hands on as I work. Therefore, at the end of this year I will be leaving City on a Hill, heading back to Texas (destination Dallas), and earning an alternative teaching certificate. Can’t get much more hands on than teaching! It all feels very crazy to me, as I am not one to change jobs (much less careers!) in just a year’s time. And yet it feels like it’s the next step in God’s adventure for me. City on a Hill still holds a very special place in my heart and life, and I will continue to be an avid supporter and cheerleader for them as they continue to grow. Even so, I continue to covet your prayers. I’m sure becoming a teacher will stretch me in ways that I can only imagine now!
Kristy Rundle
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A Journey To Nepal
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
By Shane
There is a desperate need for Christian young people today to know that they are called not to a quiet, well-behaved faith, but to a bold, lifelong adventure with God. So many people today don’t feel any sense of calling on their lives at all - let alone know to what they are being called. Why is that? Perhaps we as parents, ministers, and youth leaders have not effectively cast that vision for them. This generation of youth spend their lives surrounded by music, movies, television, and internet. If we are going to give them a call to action, perhaps it should come in the language to which they are most attuned - visual media.
So what would it look like for this generation to hear the calling of God on their lives, and follow it into deep adventure in Christ? What would the impact be if they all realized that they are missionaries to a hurting world? This is the vision that Patrick, Caleb and Shepherd are pursuing. As they follow Jesus around the world in a remarkable faith journey, City on a Hill will be share their story by creating a film series with study materials designed to shed a compelling light on the call to divine adventure. In this 6-episode series, youth will be able to see a first-hand account of lives fully lived for Christ, and be challenged to trust God for the same calling in their own lives.
While still under development, we believe the series may be structured like this:
Episode 1 / Journey
This episode introduces the three travelers, and explores their individual callings and perceptions about the upcoming adventure.
Episode 2 / “Guest equals God”
This episode, named after a popular Nepali phrase, exposes the obsessive self-focus of our society, compared to the others-centered society of Nepal and the early church.
Episode 3 / Consumerism
This episode finds us between two vastly different ways of life. Would you be willing to give up your comfort for the sake of being the gospel?
Episode 4 / Pani
Pani means water in Nepali. Here we discuss the most basic of issues in a country full of poverty, and see in contrast the dangers of complacency we face in the midst of our comfort.
Episode 5 / Trafficked
In this episode the travelers confront the darkest of issues: the horrors of human trafficking. In doing so, they come face to face with the reality of evil, the depth of human suffering, and the need for people of God to ACT.
Episode 6 / Epilogue
In this episode the travelers debrief and depart. Returning to an ordinary life is surprisingly extraordinary.
I believe this series will be incredible tool, inspiring young people to live boldly for God, to trust him with the adventure that is the life of faith. You can learn more and get involved by visiting: journeynepal.org
Shane Sooter
Artistic Director/PresidentPOSTED IN News | 1 COMMENT »
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$143,794…
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
By Molly
It’s true. We are THRILLED to announce that on October 2nd at our Fall Event, $143,794 was raised! God is so faithful! A sincere Thank you to everyone who made this possible! Your faithful support is a blessing from the hand of God.
The evening was truly wonderful. Full with great food, silent & live auctions as well as a presentation that truly spoke of our ministry in a powerful way. Thank you to everyone who participated and made the evening memorable and fantastic!
Here is a small sample of the FUN!!!…POSTED IN News | NO COMMENTS »
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A dream 5 years in the making
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
By Molly
Tomorrow is the big day.
This date has been set for over a year and still it seems impossible that tomorrow at 6:30pm we will have yet another Fall Event. Each year is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that God has done at CHP, however, I’m not gonna lie, it’s a ton of work. Most of the work is fun and all of it fulfilling, but still yet, work…hard work.Wrangling together silent and live auction items, as well as producing a fun, seamless evening with a great presentation is tough. But each year, God makes the event better than the year before…and I believe that He will do this yet again.
This my 4th year doing the event and I’m especially excited and grateful for this party. It has honestly been a group effort. We have talked and toiled over the presentation, program and decor. We are all excited, all hopeful, and mostly we are grateful.
I know that for some, 5 years hardly seems like a long time…but to us, it has been a miracle to see God move and shake in this ministry every single day. To see us expand in numbers and grow in heart is truly miraculous.
God is good and for some reason His favor continues to bless us and keep us close to His heart and his beautifully creative spirit. We are so humbled to celebrate this miracle tomorrow.
If you haven’t reserved your tickets, please CLICK HERE now, or call 502.245.2425.5 Year Birthday Party!
The Olmsted
3701 Frankfort Ave.
Louisville, KY 40206
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Announcing the City on a Hill Fall Event!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
By Shep
City on a Hill Productions is 5 years old! Come celebrate with us at the Olmsted on October 2nd. Wear your party clothes and get ready to have a fun & relaxed evening!
Click here for more details, or purchase tickets!
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Announcing CHP Apparel
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
By Molly
Wondering what to buy this season to fit the new fall fashions? Well, the worrying is over – CHP’s new apparel and accessories are finally here! Here’s a peek into City’s fashion must haves…
As the summer nears its end, CHP offers a variety of T-shirts to bring you into the fall season. We have the trendy fading logo H2O Tees which are available in gray and an ever cool grass green, as well as the ever popular ringer Tees, available in red, chocolate brown, and gray, showcasing the H2O or CHP logo.
As it gets cooler, you may want to switch to a long sleeve T-shirt. The new gray and khaki long sleeved Tees with fading CHP logo are sure to cause a stir wherever you wear them.
If you are going for a more formal look, we are now selling button up twill long-sleeved shirts with an embroidered CHP logo, available in both white and blue.
Later in the fall, you might find a need for more warmth and you can find it in our new hoodies. We are now selling a chocolate brown H2O hoodie as well as a navy CHP hoodie. Bundling up can still look fashionable.
To accessories these fabulous shirts, we also are offering a large variety of hats to top off your look.
We have ball caps as the staple in headgear. CHP caps now come in black, khaki, and an edgier distressed cap that comes in smoky blue and gray. We even have a gray CHP visor for any of you tennis or golf players out there.
As CHP keeps up with the latest fads, we also have these trendy gray fidel caps, each featuring a CHP button.
As the weather cools down you may opt for our cool new H2O Toboggans that come in both brown and orange. We may not be able to keep these billed black knit H2O hats on the shelves. They are already in demand so order yours fast!
Want to promote CHP everyday wherever you go? One of the best ways to do this is with our new CHP totes. These fashionable bags will carry everything you need when you go out. They come in three color combos – pink-green, brown-blue, and yellow-black.
And finally, what to give those little ones who can’t wear these other great looks quite yet? Look no further. Introducing our new H2O onesies! These adorable creepers come in both bright turquoise and lime green and are sure to attract attention. (Available in 6 months and 12 months sizes).To order any of these products, visit our website store at www.cityonahillproductions.com/store
Tags: apparel, clothing
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A Brief Summary Of Our Projects
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
By Cass
So…we’ve got a lot going on right now. I feel like a broken record saying that, but it’s true. We are currently juggling 10 different projects. (Yikers!) I’m supposed to fill you in on all 10, and I’ve decided (which I can do since I’m the one writing this) that I’ll do it by what phase each project is in.
Phase 1: Development - this is the process by which a film/video project progresses from the birth of an idea to “greenlight status” (obviously, that means it’s a go!), at which point it goes into pre-production.
*”Shepherd’s Project”: The title has not yet been confirmed, so this is it’s temporary name. One of our goals for City on a Hill is to replicate ourselves and send well-trained media professionals out to honor the Lord with their work. Shepherd Ahlers is our intern this year, and Shane is supervising him writing & directing his very own project. Hopefully, in the next couple weeks we will move on to the Pre-Production process so that, again hopefully, we can shoot it in August.
*The Super Secret Feature-Length Film Project: Obviously, not the real name…but I’m not allowed to talk about this one yet. Let’s just say it’s going to be amazing! We currently have a completed Treatment (that’s one step before a script) and I am planning a location scouting trip to…yeah, can’t talk about that either. Don’t tell Shane I even mentioned it! Unless you want to get me into trouble, then by all means…
*The Super Secret Feature-Length Film Project Trailer: Ok, can’t really talk about this either, but hopefully…you’ll get to see this one at CHP’s 2008 Fall Event!
*Keynote Presentation: This is for our Fall Event this year. It’s going to be special.
Phase 2: Pre-Production - This is all the work that must be completed before filming or shooting begins. It includes stuff like budgeting, planning, scheduling, scouting locations, hiring actors, building sets, renting equipment…to name a few. This phase is when my world begins to get psycho.
*SACC: We just moved into pre-production on this project yesterday! Yay for Shane getting the 1st draft of the script done! This is a Ministry Support video for Southern Acres Christian Church which is in Lexington, KY. They hope to use the video to raise funding for renovations to accommodate their expanding congregation.
*Economic Opportunities: this is another Ministry Support video for an awesome ministry located in Memphis, Tennessee. Here’s their mission statement: Teaching God’s work ethic to high-risk men in order for them to know Christ more intimately, to become contributing members of the workforce, and to gain hope in a future. We are scheduled to shoot this video in mid-September and plan to complete it by December 1st.
*Talking Heads: I tried to get Shane to give this a better name, but it makes him smile so we’re keeping it. I pick my battles. Basically we are going to interview a million and three people who have been impacted by our ministry in one way or another. The idea is to produce a video that will help us share the impact H2O is having. It’s going to be so fun to hear all these stories!
Phase 3: Production - This is when the camera rolls. It’s an ugly, ugly time, but it sure makes pretty stuff! We aren’t currently in production for any project…that is why I actually have time to write this blog!
Phase 4: Post-Production - This includes all the work that must be completed after shooting ends. This includes things like the editing of raw footage to cut scenes, the creation of video special effects, inserting sound effects, ADR (see last week’s blog), the creation of the musical score, and dubbing, to name just a few.
*The Easter Experience: this, of course, is taking up the majority of our time. We are digging through the process of post-production. It’s such an involved process combining so many different elements and it overwhelms me just about every time I think about it! As of this Friday, all of the edits will be locked which is very exciting, but there is still so much left to do! We expect the series to be released in December.
*H2O: Yeah, yeah…I know H2O has been done for quite some time, but this is exciting stuff! The AFN (Armed Forces Network) has requested broadcast versions of H2O that they plan to begin airing in October of this year. We have to create a new tag for them so we had Kyle record a special message to the troops. Then we’ll edit the new tag and spend a week dumping the episodes to tape and then watching them for errors.
*Storm: Again, a project that has been finished for quite some time, but we are currently in the process of making them available to view online as well as for downloadable purchase. First we have to reattach all the footage to the edited projects which will take at least a week. After that we’ll double check the edits for necessary changes. Then we’ll do exports of each episode for the downloadable version and for viewing online. It sounds much easier than it really is…just ask Shepherd.
Well, that’s all folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed this update brought to you by City on a Hill Productions.
Much love!
Cassie Pelan
Production Manager /
Post Production SupervisorTags: project management
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Q & A with Marcy Bryan
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
By Kevin
After nearly 2,000 miles, 29 days, at least 1,637 hellos and goodbyes, we are back, to the joy (or chagrin if you saw the video blog) of the staff at City on a Hill. Let me answer a few common FAQs for you, Dear Blog-type Reader.
Q. Does Kevin really sing like that?
Yes. And he loves to sing, loudly, especially in cars—the automobile’s vinyl ceiling structure apparently heightens his Barry Manilow-like resonance. I love it.Q. Do you really have enough friends to be gone a month?
Uhhh…no, but Meghan has gathered quite a fan base around the country. And, when Kev and I are on our medication, we can be fairly friendly as well. Plus we bring snacks.Q. What do you do there?
We catch up with friends…and their now-grown children! (Some we’ve known for over 20 years! It’s sad…they seem to be getting older while we remain so young looking.) We also meet new friends and talk about what City is doing. And most of these visits surround food and our videos! So we eat lots of Chick-fil-a, home-cooked meals, and desserts while we tell stories and catch up. It’s like Old Home Week, “Show&Tell,” and a church social mashed together.Q. Have you always fundraised? (Is “Fundraised” a word?)
“Fundraised” is not a word, but don’t feel badly about it. The English language is flexible and ever changing. Keep using such imaginary words and they may eventually catch on. I say we call it FUNraising instead! BTW: We’ve “FUNraised” for nearly 15 years.Q. What do you do with poor Meghan?
Of course all of the events and people meeting can be overwhelming, but she’s who people want to see, so we take her with us. And now she has friends in each city so she spends as much time as she can “hanging” with her local “peeps.” Word.Q. What about you?
You may remember I’ve struggled with panic disorder for over 20 years.Q. That’s what I’m asking about.
These two trips were, by far, the best for me and nearly panic-free! I did all of the events and was totally flexible. Just doing two trips in a month is miraculous.Q. Do you like doing this?
Fundraising is one of the best and most difficult things I’ve ever done (the others being child rearing, home schooling, and marriage…not necessarily in that order). I love keeping up with dear friends from where we’ve lived. But it’s difficult for me to rely on others for support and I certainly don’t want others to feel pressure. Fortunately, God’s kindness prevails and we have lots of friends in many places who love and support us with their prayers, friendship, and resources. And for that I am incredibly thankful.Q. How did Kevin deal with the “abandonment issues” he described in the video blog?
As always, with his trademark kindness and love. Um…actually, he goes straight into editing the Easter Experience so he might continue to “feel” gone as a result of being holed up his office for the rest of the summer. Party on!Tags: Kevin's trip
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This is our world…
Monday, April 14th, 2008
By Cass
So, I’m pretty sure I have one of the weirdest jobs ever. Every other time Shane pops into my office he leaves me with my wheels spinning out of control. More often than not, I have no earthly idea how to find/acquire the strange something that he says “would be nice to have” (my people-pleasing brain translates that as: if you don’t get it you will have failed me, the production, and our ministry). So…I call in the troops (anybody and everybody I can think of…watch out…you could be next).
Recently I came across an email that Miss Molly (our Sunshine) sent to her mom during our last production a few days after I called her in desperation…
Mama,You know, normally I have an “anything’s possible” “go get ‘em” philosophy…however, in this case I’m a skeptic.
Here’s the scoop: so, we need lambs and pigs for a scene we are shooting on Sunday. I, of all people, was asked to help with this effort. Needless to say, I’ve learned a lot.
Apparently lambs are very docile and sensitive and they can’t go for more than 2 hours without breast milk from the mama sheep (which we weren’t planning on having there). Basically, if the mom’s not there, the lambs die. But no worries, now the mom will be there (which is good, or they would be goners).
Also, I learned that pigs are mean and terrible creatures (I never knew). Someone referred to them as “wild beasts” and went on to describe how a pig once devoured a cow. Wonderful.
Anyway, obviously since pigs are cruel and unusual they obviously don’t have them at the zoo or the petting zoo so I have had to become familiar with all the pig farmers in the area (which are hard to come by). They are special treats.
In other news, pigs can’t sweat. So even if by some miracle I get them there they will die if they are in the sun for over an hour….and since of course no one has actually considered building a pig pen to keep the beasts in, (the plan was to have them stay in the truck), they will die in the heat and/or devour each other or humans.
Basically what I’m getting to is that some animal is going to die this weekend. Lambs are such babies and with the pigs no sweat policy I’m CERTAIN that some creature is going to animal heaven this weekend. They have no chance for survival.
This is the life I lead. I love you!
Molly
The good news is that we will be able to resolutely state that no animals were harmed in the making of our film.
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Baby!
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
By Shep
Our intern Shepherd Ahlers is proud to announce the arrival of his newest brother Rhane Justice Ahlers, born March 18th! Babies are fun, and this one is no exception. Of course there is the usual eats-poops-sleeps routine, but there are also glimmers of hight intellectual prowess. Shepherd hopes to teach him basic camera technique as soon as he can walk and say “Director Of Photography” so watch out for this guy!
His family has a website where you can get to know Rhane and the many other Ahlers at: www.theahlersfamily.com
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