Seeing Jesus

Pastor Joyce Swingle preaches the Palm Sunday message on Matthew 21. Opening prayer by Pastor Linda Warren. Scripture reading by Tim B., Liz J., and Tamara W.



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If you've been blessed by the ministry of Westchester Chapel we'd be blessed by any contribution, which could help us continue our work for the Lord.

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Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Now taking applications for the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp and sign-ups for Engage Rio.

Secret Shopper

I got to coach and perform a cameo role in this student film for the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp. 

Click the video below, or if you received this via email visit www.RichDrama.com/SecretShopper.

Sign up for the announcement that registration is open for the next Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp.

The Christian Post covers Beyond the Mask

New Faith Based Film 'Beyond the Mask' Uses More Green Screen and CG Effects Than Any Other Christian Movie

And they pull it off well! I got to see Beyond the Mask with over 700 people in San Antonio at the Christian Worldview Film Festival. They all leapt to their feet as the credits rolled. After the show John Fornof, who directed Sean Astin of The Lord of the Rings and Joanne Froggatt of Downton Abbey in The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty, told me, "Tonight everything changes."

Then he sent me this: "I remember when Star Wars came out--it revolutionized how movies were made. I got that same feeling watching Beyond the Mask. Rich and I were stunned. We both agreed. This is truly a breakthrough movie in Christian filmmaking. It fires on all cylinders--an intriguing and exciting story of God's redemption with plenty of surprising twists and turns, solid acting, captivating cinematography, blow-your-mind special effects and sets, and a powerful music score. Beyond the Mask sets a whole new standard for what a faith-based film can be--and should be.”

I was thrilled that The Christian Post included me with the featured stars and also highlighted the NYC screening! If you know anyone near the NYC area please send them to www.RichDrama.com/BeyondTheMask. We still need to fill 84 seats before the event happens.

Now taking applications for the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp and sign-ups for Engage Rio.

Beyond the Mask Featured in BreatheCast

Jeannie Ortega, who used to open for Rihanna, covered Beyond the Mask in BreatheCast:

Action Film 'Beyond the Mask' Set to Hit Theaters April 6 in NYC For Special Screening

I was grateful she highlighted my performance in the film and our NYC screening!

Now taking applications for the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp and sign-ups for Engage Rio.

Faith Flix

I was recently featured in Faith Flix, an online magazine: Rich Swingle--Actor.

Thankfully my interview got lost, and resubmitted it with information on the NYC screening of Beyond the Mask. Hopefully that helps us fill the 84 remaining seats to make it actually happen!

Beyond the Mask

Beyond the Mask, in which I play Dr. Bonneville, is in theaters across America now! Thank you everyone who came out and supported the April screenings, which made this larger distribution possible. It more than doubled the previous record for the theatrical-on-demand model. Thanks to those that supported the film on opening weekend it's still available for public screenings in your area.

It is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray in Walmarts and online to rent or own.

The Christian Post included me and the NYC April screening in their article "New Faith Based Film 'Beyond the Mask' Uses More Green Screen and CG Effects Than Any Other Christian Movie."

They most certainly pull it off! I got to see Beyond the Mask with about 1000 people in San Antonio at the Christian Worldview Film Festival. They all leapt to their feet as the credits rolled. After the show two-time Emmy Award winner John Fornof, who directed Sean Astin of The Lord of the Rings and Joanne Froggatt of Downton Abbey in The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty, told me, "Tonight everything changes."

Then he sent me this: "I remember when Star Wars came out--it revolutionized how movies were made. I got that same feeling watching Beyond the Mask. Rich and I were stunned. We both agreed. This is truly a breakthrough movie in Christian filmmaking. It fires on all cylinders--an intriguing and exciting story of God's redemption with plenty of surprising twists and turns, solid acting, captivating cinematography, blow-your-mind special effects and sets, and a powerful music score. Beyond the Mask sets a whole new standard for what a faith-based film can be--and should be.”

All of these fantastic elements come together in a fictional story based around actual historical events. I play a doctor who helps an assassin recover in a village that thinks he's the expected pastor. He must immerse himself in the Word and there comes face to face with Grace. He's ready to leave his past behind him, if only his former boss--played by John Rhys-Davies (who carries a significant amount of screen-time) will let him.

Rich plays the doctor who nurses a
reformed assassin back to health in the
village where he is thought to be the
new pastor.

Faith Flix and Jeannie Ortega, who used to cover Rihanna, also covered my performance and the NYC screening: Action Film 'Beyond the Mask' Set to Hit Theaters April 6 in NYC For Special Screening.

The Hollywood Reporter reported: "John Rhys-Davies' Faith-Based Film Aims to Top 'Theater-on-Demand' Release Record" 

Dr. Diane Howard reviewed the film and included elements from an exclusive interview with producer Aaron Burns for Sonoma Christian Home: "'Beyond the Mask' Movie About Freedom and Personal Salvation."

You can watch the first minutes of the film online.

We had been hearing about the film for over a year before I was cast in it, and I believe the first time we heard about it was when we were on the set of Indescribable. Beyond the Mask is a spectacular story, written by Paul McCusker, who wrote for the children's radio program Adventures in Odyssey.

I was cast as Dr. Bonneville by Bev Holloway and got to work with acting coach John Kirby, both of whom I've worked with a number of times over the years.

It was a delight to reconnect with crew from Christmas Grace, The Screenwriters, Indescribable, Pawn's Move, and Alone Yet Not Alone, and to work with a lot of new friends, many of whom I would work with on later projects like Princess Cut and Polycarp.

John and I both think Beyond the Mask is going to be a hit. He was thrilled with what he was seeing in the monitors.  

To learn more about the film and get involved in spreading the word, go to www.beyondthemaskmovie.com.
 

This is the set, where I performed my scenes.

Here's a Behind the Scenes piece they did on the mansion. You can see me briefly at the start.



I thought it was a beautiful parallel that the mansion is a place of healing, and that was the central scene that we shot there. I pointed that out to director Chad Burns, and he invited me to pray before we shot that scene, which he also did before the film screened at the Christian Worldview Film Festival. 

Here's an article on the project: 'Lord of the Rings' actor John Rhys-Davies joins new Christian action film.

Christians should also know:

*The film is rated PG. 

*There’s some swashbuckling action, mostly aimed at stopping the villains. At one point someone gets conked on the head with a candlestick, but it’s stumbling over the fallen candlestick that puts an end to the fight. You see him tripping from the knees down, and then there’s a cut to him lying on the fireplace hearth. At one point someone gets electrocuted, but it’s seen from a distance.

*There's one smooch to celebrate [Spoiler Alert] an engagement.

Giving and Praying

Pastor Joyce Swingle preaches on Romans 16:17-20. Opening prayer by Pastor Randy Solomon.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

If you've been blessed by the ministry of Westchester Chapel we'd be blessed by any contribution, which could help us continue our work for the Lord.

Other Options

Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Now taking applications for the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp and sign-ups for Engage Rio.

The Spiritual Lives of Characters

Today I'm speaking at the Christian Worldview Guild about "Exploring the Spiritual Lives of Your Characters" as a part of their Acting Track.

Here are references and links to some of the things I mentioned:

“Audience members who are highly transported often experience attitude and belief changes in line with those expressed or demonstrated in the story.” 

Green, M.C., & Carpenter, J.M. (2011). Transporting into narrative worlds: New directions for the scientific study of literature. Scientific Study of Literature

Kansas State University’s Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics video: Caroline's Story

Patricia Mauceri (Spiritual Lives of Characters): www.PatriciaMauceri.com

John Langlois (Spiritual Lives of People): www.Anglicantas.org.au

Seasons of Gray: www.SeasonsOfGray.com

Our actor who explored the spiritual life of Joseph/Grady was Greg Tull.

Now taking applications for the filmmaking program at the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp and sign-ups for Engage Rio.

Help make history with Beyond the Mask

We've now seen Beyond the Mask and absolutely loved it! It looks like they spent many times more than they did! They're on target to become the most requested film through the theatrical on demand model, but we still need to fill 112 seats before it actually comes to NYC. Please remind your friends they must book their tickets online by March 27.

You are invited to see the movie, Beyond the Mask! View this email in your browser

You Are Invited! Beyond the Mask is a revolutionary new family film that brings history to life in a faith-filled adventure that celebrates grace, liberty, and true freedom that can only be found in Christ. Rich Swingle plays the doctor who nurses a repentant assassin back to health in a village where he is thought to be the new pastor. He must dig into Scripture in order to preach, and runs headlong into Grace. Adventure. Romance. Patriotism. Faith, and Family values. This is the upcoming movie, Beyond the Mask! Synopsis: The leading mercenary for the British East India Company, Will Reynolds has just been double-crossed and now is on the run to the American Colonies. Working to redeem his name and win back the affections of the woman with whom he's never been fully truthful, Will must gain the trust and help of his beloved Charlotte - and Ben Franklin - as he races against time to defuse a plot of historical proportions. You can watch the movie trailer and more by visiting the link below. “A film that will give Hollywood a run for its money!” - Stephen Kendrick // Producer of Fireproof and Courageous ONE NIGHT ONLY Monday, April 6 @ 7:30PM - - - WHERE Union Square Stadium 14, NYC RESERVE YOUR TICKETS Let your friends in the New York City area know! Share Tweet Forward If you're not near NYC you can see how close it will be to you. Limited space is available, sign-up early! A minimum number of 116 tickets must be reserved for the theater to "go live" or "tip" and enable the showing to happen. Your card will not be charged until enough seats are reserved. There will be no "previews" with material that is inappropriate for families.

Streams in the Desert

Joyce preached a special sermon on Psalm 126 this morning. Bill H. opened with thoughts on our first song, "My Soul Magnifies the Lord," and Psalm 66. Liz H. shared about a recent documentary on singing nuns.



There are 114 tickets to sell before Beyond the Mask is confirmed for a screening in New York City. Buy your ticket today at www.RichDrama.com/BeyondTheMask, then send your friends there. Tickets are only available online and must be purchased by March 27.

This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

If you've been blessed by the ministry of Westchester Chapel we'd be blessed by any contribution, which could help us continue our work for the Lord.

Other Options


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 Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Now taking applications for the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp and sign-ups for Engage Rio.