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NEWS BRIEFS
Documentary film, 'Adopt a Jesus' to show tonight at Marshall
HUNTINGTON — Local filmmaker Bob Wilkinson and producer Charessa Wilkinson, a 2001 graduate of Marshall University, will bring their documentary film, “Adopt a Jesus,” to Marshall’s Huntington campus for a special showing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in Smith Hall 154.
The film focuses on Brandt Russo, a young minister from Louisiana who quit his job, sold all his earthly goods and dedicated his life to helping the homeless and ministering to the poor. Russo travels the country in a bus powered by cooking oil and emblazoned with the slogan, “Can’t Ignore the Poor.” He gathers food, advocates for the homeless and hungry and often irritates local church authorities and law enforcement in his efforts to follow the path of the apostles.
“Adopt a Jesus” raises challenging questions about the place of the homeless and disadvantaged in society and about the Christian response to their plight. Bob Wilkinson traveled with Russo for 14 days on his bus, following his journey, interviewing the people he encountered, learning about his philosophy and documenting his message, his unorthodox ministry and the mixed reactions of locals to Russo’s presence in their communities.
Bob Wilkinson is a producer and editor at West Virginia Public Broadcasting. He has produced several previous documentaries including, “Rounding Third,” a history of minor league ballpark Watt Powell Park; “John Brown’s Body,” a look at the lasting legacy of John Brown’s raid in Harpers Ferry; and “hom’sted,” a history of the homestead movement in West Virginia and those left out of the New Deal initiative. Charessa Wilkinson earned an M.A. in Communication Studies in 2001 and has since worked as a producer, promoter, and event coordinator.
Bob Wilkinson, Charessa Wilkinson and Russo will attend the screening on campus and discuss their work with the audience following the screening. Attendance is free and open to the public.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Communication Studies. For further information, contact Dr. Robert Bookwalter at 304-696-2815 or bookwalt@marshall.edu.
