Faith-themed movies receive Oscar nominations

One of the biggest faith-based movies of 2019, Breakthrough, has picked up an Oscar nomination. 

The family-friendly movie has been nominated for Best Original Song for I'm Standing With You, written by Diane Warren.  It was performed by actress Chrissy Metz, one of the lead stars in the film.

Breakthrough is based on the book of the same name by Joyce Smith, which tells the true-life story of her son coming back to life against all the odds after he fell through the ice on a Missouri lake. 

The movie was produced by megachurch pastor DeVon Franklin and grossed $50m worldwide.

Celebrating on Twitter, he said: "@breakthroughmovie got an Oscar nomination!!! For best song for 'I'm Standing With You!' Huge congrats to the one and only warren_diane"

Metz responded to the news on Instagram, saying: "Congratulations, @warren_diane on your 11th Oscar Nomination for Best Song!"

"Thank you, @devonfranklin for putting us together and making dreams come true! And a HUGE thank you to @theacademy for this incredible honor!" 

Tom Hanks dressed as Mr. Rogers on the set of "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood." (Photo: TriStar Pictures)

Other movies with strong faith themes to have received Oscar nominations are Harriet, a biographical film about slave-turned-abolitionist and devout Christian Harriet Tubman, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, about the beloved TV show host and minister, Fred Rogers.

Harriet received two nominations, Best Original Song for Stand Up, co-written by Joshuah Brian Campbell and the movie's star Cynthia Erivo.  British rising star Erivo picked up the other nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Harriet.

Hollywood veteran Tom Hanks was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the late Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.