By Veronica Cook
Communications Contributor

We call ourselves Christians but have we ever been tested to prove it’s true?

What if you were held at gunpoint and you had one of two choices: deny God and possibly die or profess your belief in Christ knowing that death was inevitable? You have just seconds. The time to be bold for the Lord is at your doorstep. Take your only chance of survival and deny your faith OR be the Christian who died defending her faith for the name of Jesus.

This was Rachel Joy Scott’s story.

Being a Christian teenager in America may be free of religious intolerance, unlike some countries where being a Christian can lead to expulsion and imprisonment. Yet, that doesn’t mean ill-treatment of Christians is nonexistent within Western culture. Christ never defined what forms of persecution Satan will use to discourage His church. Instead, He warned in John 10:10 that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”

Rachel lived her life to love and serve her Savior, but her walk with God didn’t come without its challenges. Like every high schooler, she struggled with peer pressure, self-absorption, and the constant burden to “fit in.” More importantly, she desired to conquer these temptations and show God that her love for Him came first.

At Columbine High School in Colorado, Rachel longed to be a shining hope to those around her by sharing her faith. Showing God’s love to students meant that she was not ashamed of the Gospel and that others had the opportunity to come to saving faith just like her.

But her journey came to a sudden halt on April 20, 1999. Rachel was the first of 15 students who fell victim to the two teenage boys who attacked the school that day with bombs and guns.

Major news networks swarmed Jefferson County over the next couple weeks trying to uncover the gruesome details of the massacre. The country was left bewildered and heartbroken for the families who had lost loved ones.

But did America know that one of the students died because she defended her belief in God?

Sixteen years later and her story is being told! Starring Masey McClain as Rachel Joy Scott, the film “I’m Not Ashamed” portrays the powerful and inspiring true story of faith, love, and triumph amidst tragedy.

This film offers a great opportunity for youth around the world to see God’s love displayed where all hope seems to be lost. If you’re looking for a way to encourage your youth and teach them the immeasurable value of a relationship with God, this movie is your chance.

“I’m Not Ashamed” is not your typical Hollywood production trying to break records at the box office. In fact, its storyline is the complete opposite of what most producers would consider a compelling and attractive love story. But it is a love story about someone much greater than even Rachel Scott.

God, through His infinite and preordained wisdom, used a teenager to share His message of truth, forgiveness, and love even amongst the direst of circumstances. Satan may have succeeded with his plan to bring evil into Columbine High, but Jesus’s words still hold true that “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

Be moved, challenged, and inspired! Take your youth group, family, or friends to see this shared love story when it comes out in theaters next week. Who’s to know the countless lives God can impact through Rachel’s story and her choice to love and obey Him!

“I’m Not Ashamed” starts in theaters October 21, 2016.

Watch the trailer here: https://imnotashamedfilm.com/