Movie Review: The Second Chance

Same Faith

Same City

Different Worlds

"Whether you're a believer or not, you can't help but be moved by this film and it's earnest message."


It's interesting seeing how a surburban pastor has to confront his own prejudices in The Second Chance. At his wealthy church The Rock, Ethan Jenkins (Michael W. Smith) brings the congregation to their feet with his amazing music. He certainly is unorthodox and unconventional and this upsets the church elders. They give Ethan a new "assignment": to work for The Rock's sister church in the city's poorest neighbourhood. It's interesting to watch how he relates and joins forces with the brash, street-smart minister (Jeff Obafemi Carr) who knows the folk in the "hood" really well. Gangsters, pregnancy, dealing drugs seems to be the order of the day and young children are driven to that lifestyle in order to survive. It just seems to be the norm. The street-smart minister tries to help the people and speak into their lives although I have to admit that some of his methods are quite abrasive. Ethan's faith is stretched and his loyalty is put to the test to overcome and restore hope in an area desperate for change.

I really like it when he plays the piano in the sister church and livens up the choir, how he realises that the "frills and ornaments" in his home are not as valuable as reaching a young child or those in need, how he makes a stand with his father and his co-pastor to save the sister church from being demolished. All in all, it's an interesting movie and makes me realise yet again that people are important and it's about winning them to Christ.

By Molly Manhanga