Wanderlust Productions, the production company behind the popular “Godumentaries” Finger of God, Furious Love, Father of Lights and Holy Ghost, today announced that they will be moving their entire production house out of their current Chicago-based studios to Greenville, South Carolina, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
Formerly housed on the campus of Judson University, where founder Darren Wilson taught writing and media for 13 years, Wanderlust is stepping into a new chapter in its relatively short history. “Judson University has been incredibly good to us over the years, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts,” Darren noted. “I went to school here, met my wife here, and many of our current employees were former students of mine here. While we may be leaving physically, we hope to continue relationship with Judson in the future through various teaching and workshop opportunities.”
Wanderlust will not be heading into a vacuum in South Carolina. While they will continue having the spiritual and artistic autonomy which allows them to make the kinds of edgy, searching films for which they have become known, the company is also looking for a more communal and spiritual covering than it has ever known in the past.
“As our films begin to reach further into the world than ever before, it has become obvious that, as a company, we need a church willing to not only love us, but pastor us as well,” says Braden Heckman, CEO of Wanderlust. That church, it seems, is City Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina, which on Jan. 1 will make its own transition into becoming Bridgeway Church. “We are beyond excited to not only have a church that we can all call home,” continues Heckman, “but also one that will take us as we are, will come alongside us in love and support and is committed to pastoring us as individuals.”
Wanderlust’s latest effort, Holy Ghost, was seen by over one million people during it’s free 48-hour online premiere in September. While the films are gaining wider exposure, they are also going beyond the mainly charismatic audience that made them a huge underground success, and with that comes wider scrutiny and controversy.
Bridgeway, for its part, isn’t afraid of the added scrutiny. “When I met Darren and the Wanderlust team a year ago for the filming of Holy Ghost, I could sense that our connection was more than just for a film. It felt like being with family,” says Chad Norris, lead pastor for Bridgeway. “Bridgeway Church is excited about Wanderlust moving to Greenville, South Carolina. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for them here as they continue to spread the gospel through films. It is truly an honor to welcome them to the Bridgeway Family.”
The move will not slow down the company, which looks to have another big year in 2015 with the release of its long-awaited documentary about UFC legend Ken Shamrock (The Greatest Fight) and the sequel to Holy Ghost (Holy Ghost: Reborn) and continuing production on various other projects. “I can’t begin to explain how excited we are about this move,” Darren explains. “It’s a huge leap into the unknown, but then again, when has God ever asked anything less from us.”
