Salvation isn’t always a “pretty” process. Just ask pastor Galley Molina, the executive producer of the new motion feature, I’m in Love with a Church Girl. Moviegoers may have already seen the promotional posters at the local Katy Mills AMC, which has certainly sparked interest in Christian circles. 

A Redemption Story

The PG-rated movie debuts in theaters October 18 and is based on Molina’s true-life story, which includes a five-year stint behind bars for drug trafficking. His trajectory into crime was curtailed when he met a real-life “church girl” — one of those “God moments” that helped develop his deep and abiding faith. 

“I’m in Love with a Church Girl is a powerful, inspiring story of a love between a man and a woman, a gift of second chances, and a family at home and in church that never stops praying and believing,” says Molina. His character, Miles Montego, is played by Jeff “Ja Rule” Atkins, a well-known hip-hop artist with four Grammy nominations and No. 1 hits with Ashanti and Jennifer Lopez. 

Who better to play the part of Molina than Ja Rule, who had a brush with the law for gun trafficking and recently completed a two-year sentence for tax evasion? He was cast for the role while still in the midst of pending legal issues, reminding us of two spiritual truths: 1.) Jesus came to save the lost, and 2.) no one is beyond salvation.

Ja Rule’s past film credits include “The Fast and the Furious,” and his on-screen presence as a “thug” and “king of the streets” truly shows the struggles young men face when transitioning from a life of crime to a life of redemption.  

An All-Star Cast

Teens will likely relate to the movie, thanks to a cast of recognizable talent. Adrienne Bailon, best known for her starring role in Disney’s 2002 The Cheetah Girls and The Cheetah Girls 2 movies, plays “the church girl”—Vanessa Leon.

Her character is torn between her Christian beliefs and her emerging love for Miles. Mixed in are family dynamics and a test of faith as God continues to change Miles’ heart. She knows that in the midst of his spiritual journey, he fears losing stature with his street friends and feels unworthy as he processes the death of his mother. He also faces federal charges, but it is Vanessa’s near-fatal car crash that brings Miles to his knees. He ultimately reconciles himself to God, although the path isn’t easy.

Michael Madsen, Stephen Baldwin, Vincent Pastore, Toby Mac, and T-Bone also star. Grammy Award-winner Israel Houghton collaborated with Molina in the dual role of executive producer of the film and producer of the soundtrack. Molina met Houghton after becoming an ordained pastor and completely transforming his personal and professional life. 

Reverence Gospel Media (RGM)

I’m in Love with a Church Girl is a production of Molina’s company, Reverence Gospel Media (RGM), which creates “God-glorifying, life-impacting projects across the widest possible creative spectrum.” We applaud Molina for his focus on films of faith that meet people “where they are” in life. I’m in Love with a Church Girl teaches and preaches from the big screen, and may very well change the lives of teen audiences who face social pressures and temptations. Its “come as you are” message is something that will also appeal to parents — both as a precautionary tale and a teachable moment. 

Connect

See more about the movie at www.iminlovewithachurchgirl.com. Visit www.facebook.com/iminlovewithachurchgirl to follow along, and check out Reverence Gospel Media at www.rgmusa.com.