Historian, Educator, Humanitarian and now, Documentarian John Heers Talks About his Venture into Film with, ‘Christianities?‘
Editor’s Note: There were a couple of technical difficulties with Mr. John Heers’ camera, but the audio is fully intact.
Documentarian, John Heers, brother of Fr. Peter Heers, spoke with us about their upcoming documentary’Christianities?‘, which still has over 40 days left in its Indiegogo campaign. This film explores the diverse expressions of Christianity across the globe, probing why the faith appears so varied from one place to another and how it has splintered into numerous denominations and sects. Central to the documentary is the examination of Christianity’s core purpose—hospitality—and how this intersects with avoiding ecumenism, balancing distinct Christian traditions with the broader dialogue among them.
In a world increasingly marked by chaos, many spiritual seekers are asking, “Where is God in all this?” Observing the variety of churches scattered across towns and cities raises questions about why Christianity is expressed so differently around the world. Instead of a singular faith, we encounter a fragmented landscape of ‘Christianities?‘, shaped by politics, beliefs, and cultural influences.
Mr. Heers is not only a storyteller and historian having obtained master’s degrees from Columbia University in history and education. His journey through diverse faith landscapes offers a unique perspective, blending curiosity and humor. The documentary plans to feature various interviews with spiritual and intellectual leaders worldwide, aiming to uncover both the divisions and commonalities within Christianity. It explores how the ancient faith endures amidst rising secularism and alternative spiritualities, with a touch of comic relief.
‘Christianities?‘ addresses the growing disconnection many feel from modern expressions of Christianity, which are often influenced by politics, social status, and pop culture. By focusing on personal experiences of faith, the film emphasizes that Christianity is more than just a set of beliefs; it is about a genuine, transformative union with Christ.
John Heers is the founder of the First Things Foundation and brings a wealth of experience to this project. His background includes serving as a water resource manager in Mali with the Peace Corps, delivering emergency relief in the Georgian Republic, and teaching in New York City. He has also worked in Haiti and co-founded Seacrest Country Day School in Naples, Florida. Recently, his foundation has expanded into new areas, including a podcast, a substack, and Keipi Restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina—a non-profit eatery specializing in Georgian cuisine. Despite his extensive global and local initiatives, Heers remains a devoted fan of the Mets, Jets, and Knicks, reflecting his enduring spirit.
For more information about ‘Christianities?‘ and to help fund the documentary visit: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/christianities-feature-documentary#/
For more information about First Things Foundation visit: https://first-things.org/
To purchase books from Uncut Mountain Press visit: https://uncutmountainpress.com/
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Right out of the gate, to say that Christianity’s main purpose is hospitality, you are on the side of the Devil. You cannot take heavy things lightly. That is the problem with humanity. And if you portray yourself as bringing light to the subject of something as grave as the “human condition”, the miserable condition people find themselves in today, by making light of a topic you clearly know nothing about, you are only leading them further down the path to death and destruction. You don’t go to this evil world and consult with Satan to find out who Christ is.