And Justice for All Documentary - St. Joseph, MO

Hi! My name is R.J. Jackson, I work in TV Production and I am embarking to make a Documentary short film to record and analyze a heretofore unprecedented saga that is still ongoing in our community.

Pastor Brian Kirk of First Christian Church is an LGBT+ Activist here in St. Joseph, MO. In June of 2023 Mayor John Josendale and the City Council made the decision to remove Brian from his position as Vice President of the City of Saint Joseph Library Board, right before the vote to renew or remove Board Members was to take place. The explanation was that they had received over 36 phone calls and emails from members of the community citing that his sexual orientation and his support of the LGBT+ community made him unfit to serve on the Library Board where had been appointed for the last two and a half years.

It was quickly discovered that this was the direct result of a campaign led by the head Pastor of Grace Calvary Chapel. GCC is one of the largest churches in our community and as of late is also one of the most vocal on social issues. None of the callers could cite anything Brian had ever said or done in his capacity as VP of the Library Board that they found to be objectionable. They would only say that they were concerned that someone supportive of the LGBT+ community was in that office because they felt it would have a harmful effect on children.

Before I proceed any further, I wish to make it clear: This doc absolutely will not not be a slanderous hit piece against Grace Calvary Chapel, nor anyone for that matter. While this film will take a critical stance against them and will ultimately be in support of Brian Kirk, I will make no effort to twist the words nor lie about any members of the opposition of my side of this issue nor their rhetoric. While I do believe this is the right thing to do in any circumstance when discussing a controversial topic, there is another moral imperative at play here. One that I believe gives me a unique perspective to this entire situation and compels me to use my background in media production to tell this story.

From 2014-2016 I served on the Media Team for Grace Evangelical Church, prior to their admission to the Calvary Chapel Fellowship. For almost every Sunday in that two year window I assisted in the production and broadcast of the services at Grace. Me and a significant portion of our team members left around the same time due in no small part to our disagreement with the anti LGBT+ rhetoric being preached there. While I do plan to bring my critical views to the film, I owe them the decency of only basing my stances in truth.

I have decided to make this film in support of Pastor Brian Kirk to document this saga as it unfolds. I feel that this is my duty as a Christian and ally with a background in media. While it will contain some religious discussion, this film will largely be a living document about the story of the situation as it plays out and the socio-political ramifications thereof.

The production is already underway with footage captured from the protest outside of St. Joseph City Hall on 06/26/23 and there are other shoot dates currently in the works. I currently have no release date set as this is an ongoing situation. The funds raised for this film will go towards the costs of Production and Post Production. Including but not limited to graphics, music rights, advertising, etc.

This saga is a story that must be told, remembered, and learned from. I am in a unique position to tell it to fight bigotry and shed light on a remarkable man and a remarkable moment in St. Joseph’s history. But I can’t do it without your help!

The funding goal is set for $2000 but as with any GoFundMe there’s no reason that more money can’t make for a better and better project! If any business wishes to sponsorship you can reach out by email to discuss possible Sponsor Rewards.

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