“Disciples in the Moonlight,” a faith-based action thriller that will be released in movie theaters nationwide on Wednesday, July 17, is breaking new ground in the Christian movie industry. The movie is a rare faith-based action thriller set in a dystopian future where the Bible has been banned in the United States for its offensiveness.

How will the Christian community respond? Will they cower in place or fight for biblical truth and freedom?

The story was written by Josh Strychalski, a 1999Cedarville University graduate who majored in broadcast communication. In the movie, he depicts a small group of devoted Christians who band together to smuggle the Bible to underground churches.

A natural-born storyteller, Strychalski masterfully crafted the movie’s narrative, which he believes will capture the hearts and minds of those who watch it. He is also one of the leading actors in the movie.

While this is Strychalski’s first screenplay, he has been writing since his days at Cedarville. He was challenged by the words of Jim Kregel, associate professor of communications emeritus, who told Strychalski and other communication students that “ifyou can write, you can pave your own way.”

Strychalski’s first writing projects involved novels for young readers, short stories and sketches.Andthis work paved the way for his first action thriller movie.

In 2013, Strychalski was asked by Brett Varvel, a friend and the founder of House of Grace Studios in Brownsburg, Indiana,to attend a meeting of filmmakers in Indianapolis, where potential screenwriters were asked to brainstorm new movie ideas. Later that evening, as Strychalski allowed his mind to race,the vision for a future movie formed.He conjured the image of moonlight, the sound of wind in the cornfields and the crack of gunfire— “Disciples in the Moonlight” was born.

Over the next 10 years, Strychalski collaborated with friends and colleagues to craft a film he would want to watch.

“Men are underserved in the genre of faith-based films,” said Strychalski. “So, we set out to make a movie that both men and women could get excited to see on date night. The story is one that appeals to faith, exposes authentic life-struggles and presents an adrenaline-filled what if.”

After a decade of planning and production, “Disciples in the Moonlight” is finally breaking new ground as a widely released faith-based action thriller and is already opening doors for Strychalski as he is eyeing new opportunities on both sides of the screen.

“This movie has the fingerprints of Cedarville University all over it,” said Strychalski.

“For the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ,” which functions as motivation for the movie’s Bible-smuggling characters, is from the book of Revelation. But according to Strychalski, it is also “a total rip-off from Cedarville University” where it has long been used as the school’s motto.

“God used that institution in a big way in my life,” said Strychalski, “and it comes out in this film.”