Christian History Institute is a non-profit organization located in Worcester, Pennsylvania, producer or co-producer of several award-winning films, the Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith series, and the founder of Christian History magazine.

History

Founded by A. Kenneth Curtis (1939–2011)[1] in 1982,[2] Christian History Institute from its inception has issued film and print resources for laity education in Christian history, and now also offers online resources, including supplemental material for Christian films and videos, Christian History magazine, and Glimpses bulletins.[3][4][5][6]

In 2004 the Institute moved its offices from Worcester to the campus of the Missio Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Dr. David Dunbar, president of the Seminary, joined the board of trustees of the Institute and Institute President, Dr. Ken Curtis, joined the Seminary's board of Directors.[7]

In 2019, Gateway Films/Vision Video became part of the Christian History Institute. Vision Video was also founded by A. Kenneth Curtis. In 2020, Vision Video launched the streaming service Redeem TV.[8]

Productions

Today, Christian History Institute produces study guides on historical subjects, new issues of Christian History magazine, and Christian history videos for DVD and Television. It is most well known for producing the ongoing series The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith series, in cooperation with Voice of the Martyrs and International Films. The Torchlighters is a series animated biographies of Christian heroes for children, which has won numerous awards.[9]

Film and television

The organization has produced a number of film and television productions.

  • John Wycliffe: Morningstar. (1984) Best film of the year from Christian Film Distributors Association[10]
  • From Christ to Constantine: The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church. (1990) • Chris Award from Columbus International Film & Video Festival[11] • Gold Award from Houston International Film & Video Festival;[12]
  • The Reformation Overview. (1995) Individual units within this package won over 30 international film awards.[13]
  • Candle in the Dark. (1998) • Gold Award at Christian Broadcasting Commission of UK 1998; • Gold Award at WorldFest Houston 1999;[14] • Gold Award at Aurora Awards;[15] • Bronze Plaque at Columbus International Film & Video Festival 1999;[16] • Golden Eagle Award at CINE Golden Eagle Awards 1999;[17]
  • Jesus the New Way. (1998) • Chris Statuette at Columbus International Film & Video Festival 1998;[18] • Gold Award at Worldfest Flagstaff 1998.[19]
  • Test of Time. (2001) A co-production with the BBC, the full title of this program is Putting the teachings of Jesus to the Test of Time, which it does through contemporary case studies. • Columbus Int’l Film & Video, Honorable Mention 2001

Books

  • Bewes, Richard. Wesley Country; a Pictorial History Based on John Wesley's Journal. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc.; Worcester, PA: Christian History Institute, 2005.
  • Curtis, A. Kenneth. "The Hampton Court Conference." in Translation that Openeth the Window; Reflections on the History and Legacy of the King James Bible. Edited by David G. Burke. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.
  • Curtis, A. Kenneth. and Carsten Peter Thiede, eds. From Christ to Constantine; the Trial and Testimony of the Early Church. Worcester, PA: Christian History Institute, 1991.
  • Curtis, A. Kenneth and Dan Graves. Great Women in Christian History; 37 women who changed their world. Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread Publications; Worcester, PA: Christian History Institute, 2004.
  • ——— This Day in Christian History. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., 2005.
  • Curtis, A. Kenneth, J. Stephen Lang and Randy Petersen. Dates with Destiny: the One Hundred Greatest Events in Church History. Tarrytown, New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1991.
  • George, Timothy. Faithful Witness; the Life and Mission of William Carey. Worcester, PA: Christian History Institute, 1998.
  • Langmead, Clive. Robber of the Cruel Streets; the Prayerful Life of George Mueller. Crusade for World Revival; Worcester, PA: Christian History Institute, 2006.
  • Radcliff, Kaylena. "Torchlighters Biography Series: Corrie ten Boom." Worcester, PA: Christian History Institute, 2014.

References

  1. ↑ "Curtis, Alton Kenneth." Marquis Who's Who, 2008
  2. ↑ Charter filed with the Department of State for the State of Pennsylvania, November, 1982.
  3. ↑ "The Early History of Christian History Institute" Glimpses #213. Worcester, PA: Christian History Institute, 2006
  4. ↑ "The History Behind Christian History." Christian History #36; Vol. XI #4, pp. 43-45.
  5. ↑ "Welcome to the New Glimpses" Glimpses #61.
  6. ↑ "Christian History Ministry offers home study website". Call and Post. 12 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "In Your Congregation". The Morning Call. 7 August 2004.
  8. ↑ https://www.visionvideo.com/about
  9. ↑ e.g.: School Library Journal (Oct 2006 v52 i10 p551); Church Libraries (Fall 2005 p.40); Howard, Jim Bob. "Missionary Heroism" Homeschooling Today (May/June 2008 p.63); Midwest Book Review (September 2008); Johansson, Lois. "Shelf Help" CE Counselor (1999-8 p.10), etc
  10. ↑ Hess, Brian. "A Brief History of Christian Films: 1918-2002" http://www.avgeeks.com/bhess/christian_film_history.html Archived 2009-06-03 at the Wayback Machine notes that the Christian Film Distributors' Association (CFDA) was formed in 1974 but declined with the increase of VHS. Records are no longer readily available.
  11. ↑ http://www.chrisawards.org/about/ Archived 2011-05-15 at the Wayback Machine About + History
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2011-01-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ↑ For instance, The Radicals won the 1990 Columbus International Film & Video Festival Chris Award https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000187/1990 and the Golden Eagle Award from CINE http://www.cine.org/archives/winner-archives/pdfs/1990-CINE-Winner-Directory.pdf Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ http://www.worldfest.org/downloads/WFH1999E.xls Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine WorldFest Houston 1999 Awards
  15. ↑ Aurora Awards online listings go back to 2006 http://www.auroraawards.com/
  16. ↑ http://www.chrisawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/1999winners.pdf Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine The Chris 1999
  17. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ↑ "The Chris Awards - the Columbus Film and Video Festival". Archived from the original on 2004-01-12. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  19. ↑ http://www.awn.com/news/call-entries/worldfest-flagstaff Worldfest Flagstaff
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