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Box Office Hit, End of the Spear, Directed by ORU Alumnus

By Rebecca Gehle

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Perhaps you've watched documentaries or read novels about missionaries who have gone into remote areas of the world to teach the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. Maybe in a few of these instances, all ended well, and the tribal people were saved and the missionaries became good friends.

End of the Spear is not just another rendition of this same plotline; it's based on the true story of Jim Elliot and four other missionaries who ventured to save the most violent tribal people in South America in the 1950's. And what's more, the hit film was produced by ORU's own 2006 Alumni of the Year, Tom Newman (80).

"There's still a pretty big divide between creative church evangelism and creativity in the world." Newman said. "I'm trying to tear down that wall."

The extraordinary story follows real events in the 1950s when five missionaries went into Ecuador's eastern rainforest to teach the Waodani tribe, documented as the most violent society ever by anthropologists. The Waodani people survived by spearing other tribes, and the five missionaries were killed by them as well. Hearing of their husbands and fathers fates, the wives of the missionaries as well as one of their sons travel back to the tribe years later to teach them the power of love and forgiveness.

Founder and president of Impact Productions, Tom Newman has produced numerous works for stage, television and film. After producing "Dayuma," the live-stage touring production based on the story of Jim Elliot, Tom Newman decided that the play could be produced into an action packed, full-length feature film.

"My dream of dreams..." Newman glimmered, "...would be that [End of the Spear] would inspire college-age kids to commit their lives to go wherever God would ask them, no matter how un-glorious it may look, no matter what level of risk it was, and that it would release the next great sending of missionaries we've ever seen from our country."

Only two weeks after being honored at the Homecoming President's Banquet as Oral Roberts University's 2006 Alumnus of the Year for his "Distinguished Service to God," Tom Newman's film was released across the country to an anticipatory crowd. It ranked No. 10 among the top grossing films during its opening weekend (January 20, 2006). Some of the reviews End of the Spear received include:

"Whether or not you're religious, End of the Spear tells a compelling and moving story that leaves you wondering at the human heart's capacity for love, forgiveness and change." -- Robert W. Butler, KANSAS CITY STAR

"Effectively shows how, through gentility and a spirit of cooperation, two very different cultures can learn to co-exist. That's a worthy message that has a particular relevance in today's world." -- James Sanford, KALAMAZOO GAZETTE

"Big-time production values and a truly interesting story make this a huge step forward for the Christian niche film market." -- Danny Minton, BEAUMONT JOURNAL

"One of the best films ever made about the courage and compassion that is at the heart of the Christian path of nonviolence." -- Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH