I'm in Love with a Church Girl

Plot synopsis:
I'm in Love with a Church Girl (Molina, 2013) is based on a true story about the writer himself, Galley Molina and directed by Steve Race. The protagonist that plays Galley in the movie is Miles Montego (Jeff Atkins). Miles girlfriend was played by the beautiful Vanessa Leon (Adrienne Bailon). Early in the film Miles goes to his friend's house Nick Halston (Vincent Pastore) for a party. Nick was a former drug dealer but God saved him from the disruptive lifestyle. When Miles was at Nick's house he introduced Miles to Vanessa. Afterwards they started dating. Vanessa is a strong church going Christian. Meanwhile, they both lived two different lives. Although both Miles and Vanessa were dating, Miles was a fugitive. The Christian detective that was tracking Miles every step was Jason McDaniels (Stephen Baldwin). Indoors Miles was doing illegal things. But when he started dating Vanessa, Miles put on a persona because she was such a humbled girl. At the same time, Vanessa did not know about Miles's double life. Jason, the detective, would get confused from time to time if Miles was a fugitive or not. Nevertheless, Miles took Vanessa out to the club where Miles friends were at. When his friends brought up particular drug stories Miles would do his best to change the subject but his friends would not stop. Miles acted like he was buying them a drink but said quietly "tone it down my girl is around." Miles and Vanessa went to a restaurant that same night and he confessed he was living a double life. Vanessa was okay with it because she knows God loves any and everybody. Miles love grew towards Vanessa after being relieved that she was not worried about his lifestyle. Furthermore, Vanessa told Miles he has to come to church with her or else the relationship would not work. In the next scene, Miles does go to church and he liked what he saw. What caught his eye was Pastor Galley. He did not look like the normal pastor, while wearing jeans and a fitted cap. Miles thought he would not fit into the Christian world before going to Vanessa's church. The pastor was the writer, Galley Molina. What Galley said to Miles after the church service outside the sanctuary was that "it does not matter about the past because God can use you to share the gospel as well." Eventually he started coming to church regularly and slowly isolated from his friends. Amusingly enough, Miles mother was having health issues that were severe also Vanessa got into a car crash. Miles was filled with anger and was angry at God for making this happen. Miles opened the doors of the church, went to his knees and had some words with God. Most importantly, Miles overcame all the storms and became a Pastor. Jason finally realized Miles is a changed man after finding out he went to church on a regular bases. Lastly, Miles became a Pastor.

Tags: christian film

Review:
Rapper Ja Rule stars as the real life Miles Montego of San Jose, California who through new found faith in God comes all the way out of his former life as a drug seller and a gang banger.Now he's into concert promotions which is legitimate unto itself, but certainly is still an atmosphere in which Ja Rule's former profession flourishes.
But Ja Rule meets Adrienne Bailon who is a nice church going girl and pretty soon he's not only liking her, but her wholesomeness and purity stemming from her devout Christian upbringing.Of course law enforcement isn't quite buying Ja Rule turning over a new leaf and they've got Stephen Baldwin on surveillance checking him out throughout the film.I'm In Love With Church Girl borrows from the old master of religious spectacle Cecil B.
Not that this film has a DeMille like budget, but DeMille was a big believer in selling religion with a little sex.
Maybe I'm just a Philistine, but somehow I think that's what got Ja Rule's attention.The cast gave some good performances and how much of it happened to Miles Montego in real life is a source of speculation.
it's that kind of Christianity so fashionable these days that offers a cool God of the world and therefore very lacking in meaning.
This is what this movie is, it is a movie of the world, no matter how much they speak of God, it is empty, excessively materialistic and completely leaves aside the essence and the teachings of our Lord.It's sad to see something like that....This movie gives a terrible example, not to mention the Pastor....
Gangster meets a church-girl and goes good didn't sound too shabby for a movie, and Ja Rule's name is a sure-shot to boost up the street-cred but...
They even gave God a executive producer spot for the movie lol...
And there are no gangsterish scenes to be talked about either, Ja Rule is out of the gangster-life already when the movie starts so it's not as much of a "coming of age"-story as I expected either...
Acting-wise Ja Rule is actually pretty good, but the script and dialogue is sometimes not even bearable due the writers trying to constantly push their Gospel-agenda down the viewers throats...
I enjoyed the message that the movie gave, but I honestly thought the acting was a little amateur.
I also saw some of the Vanessa character in me, which made me feel like I am on the right path.
The movie confirmed my beliefs and made me want to do better with reading my Bible and fellow-shipping with people.
Great movie that doesn't require sex, violence, drugs, etc..
Finally Hollywood is putting out a movie that teaches values and morals without the use of guns, drugs, cursing, violence, sex, etc.
PLEASE Hollywood, listen to the example of this movie and realize that you can actually have a positive impact on today's youth.
The movie is a great story of forgiveness and redemption and it seems that some critics are putting it down because it outwardly mentions God and Jesus Christ as the source.
I wish more movies were about this and used God as the focus.
Thank God for the courage of all those involved in the movie, especially Ja-Rule..
As one can maybe infer from the title, I'm in Love With a Church Girl exists in that strange little subsector of American cinema that I probably should be getting tired of, but still find myself weirdly interested in - contemporary Christian cinema.
Every year, especially 2014 for some reason, we are given one or two of these low-budget films, sometimes boasting names we recognize, and other times, coming completely out of left field.
Similar to King's Faith - a film I thought quite highly of thanks to the use of reality and honesty rather than sugarcoated simplifications - this film doesn't hesitate to offer depictions of rough gangs, pessimistic forces, and, ultimately, tries to come to a conclusion as to why people join gangs in the first place and, more importantly, why they remain involved despite the massive amount of things that could go wrong.The film focuses on Miles Montego (played by rapper Jeff "Ja Rule" Atkins), a wealthy and loyal drug dealer, who meets a nice Christian girl named Vanessa Leon (Adrienne Bailon) at a party.
Despite Miles moving away from the local drug scene, Vanessa still wishes Miles was more involved in a faithful life.For Vanessa, he decides to adopt a life more geared towards reading the Bible rather than ignoring it.
However, Miles realizes his time may be limited due to the fact that persistent DEA agents are watching him like hawks, specifically Agent Jason McDaniels (Stephen Baldwin), who is just waiting for Miles' next false move.Admittedly, despite acknowledging certain realities in the world that are unable to avoid (there is no such thing as the purebread, normal, American family and issues like drug addiction and social irresponsibility are hard to ignore in modern American films.
However, director Steve Race and writer Galley Molina still make the misstep almost all contemporary Christian films make, which is their inability to portray the non-believing community as people who are moral and functioning well despite a lack of outspoken beliefs.
Consider Miles, who's life is magically turned around after he meets Vanessa, a good Christian girl and decides to assume a life of faith.
I anxiously await a Christian film that shows us that even if someone is an Atheist that doesn't immediately make them a bad person, incapable of making wise, moral decisions.The film does get other additional fields down, however, despite some glaring miscalculations still present.
Atkins and Bailon are both pretty good actors, and their ability to spark watchable chemistry that never treads the line of boredom is actually something that keeps the film interesting overall.
On top of that, even the film's runtime - which is two minutes shy of two hours - doesn't feel that long in retrospect, as it shows a gradual change in Miles, even if the change is a questionable one.
I'm in Love With a Church Girl qualifies as, something I call, "a major-minor movie," or a film that is gravely underestimated and receives a barrage of negative reviews but just so happens to have several good qualities, even if it isn't perfect.
In the realm of sermons disguised as films, this is one of the better ones you could watch.Starring: Jeff "Ja Rule" Atkins, Adrienne Bailon, and Stephen Baldwin.
If you have not seen this movie, watch it, it is more than worth your time.
Anyway, good movie, great message, OK acting.
Movies like this, seem to some how take me away from my own world for a few hours.
Good movie overall minus the bad acting of it's lead female star.
I rented the DVD and watched the extras before seeing the movie because I was familiar with the back story of Gally Molina.
She comes off more annoying as the central theme to how reformed bad boy Ja Rule finds God. Still, the movie wasn't that bad.
Ja Rule is Miles, a drug dealer who has all the toys anyone could ever want in life.
This is an inner city story of faith and forgiveness that I think a lot of people can relate to.
Loved the feeling I had at the end of this movie.
A God movie..
No matter what, just come as you are, God is not waiting for you to be perfect neither is He asking for you to be, Just show up and say Father here I am, I surrender..Playing the guy (Galley Molina) whose life the movie is based is rapper Ja Rule, who also had legal issues.
The realness of this movie goes a long way to helping many lost souls know Christ and turn to him.It is an excellent movie in every sense of the word.
Though a faith based movie, but it is not corny a little bit, filled with a lot of humor at the same time teaching morals..
Being able to attend the tour, it was cool to know the background story of what actually happened and the connection that T-Bone had with Galley (Montego) in real life years ago.
It wasn't made necessarily for Christians to be entertained, but for the "yet to believe" folks to come to hear about a mighty God of grace, love, and His relentless pursuit to have an intimate relationship with His children.
I received from this movie that people can't change people no matter how pure our intentions nor can we give up on others despite how things may look.
18 April 2014As soon as I heard the title and saw the poster, I knew that I would like this movie.
It is positive about showing a former bad guy how to turn his life around and come to God. God uses a pretty Hispanic/Latina to as a vessel to bring him to God. The Holy Spirit of God and Christ works in people to reach others the same way as Satan uses people.2.
5. Another reason I liked it was the fact that the lovers are Interracial and I and my youngest married son can personally relate to love between the lead African Black American and the pretty Latina because we live it.
However, we just never were involved in any criminal activity like the main guy in the movie.Hollywood and this country needs more positive movies like this one and movies that any age can see such as "God's NOT dead", "Courageous" and "Heaven Is Real"..
to see a rapper such as Ja Rule in a movie like this.
I'm in Love With a Church girl.Starring: Adrian Bustamante, Michael Madsen, Stephen Baldwin, Martin Kove, Adrienne Bailon, Vincent Pastore, Ja Rule, Toby McKeehan, Michael Rivera, David Jean Thomas is must see.
For the hater Well let me say this the world will never understand the ways of God, nor his people.
Good and positive movie..
I believe there are people are out there that want a better way of life than they have now and this movie shows that change is a process and a choice.
I would like to see more movies in this genre that subtly teach about the positive aspect of faith and the practical implications it has for everyone..
This movie shows the love and compassion of God, through a woman that caught the eye of a drug dealer.
the film I'm in love with a church girl has a lot of romance elements as well as the story of a drug dealer and his newfound girl.
ja rule does a great job as well the other cast: Stephen Baldwin as the DEA agent, Vincent Pastore, and Adrienne Bailon as the love interest.
The story balances on loyalty for his Family,God,friends,woman, and his faith they are all portrayed in some capacity through out the film and the level of trust he had in God is often questioned.
This movie really touches on reality in most inner city youths path that can be changed if given the correct motivation and in this film its his love for his family and his woman.
I recommend this movie to anyone that has been on a disruptive path and think all is lost when in reality God's love can bring you through any storm if you except him as your Lord and savior.
Christians don't care about the bible they just want to make it to heaven and be rich.This is what this films teaches us.Ja's acting is decent good.
Not sure why Miles didn't end up in prison while everyone else did.These christian movies are really cliche and bad.
A "God"-awful movie.
It was a surprise to see him in the movie and he was actually not that bad.
The cinematography was bad, the movie looked like a TV-movie, the movie is unnecessarily long, and the acting was horrendous.
I know that not that many rappers can act, but my God was he bad.
Adrienne Bailon lost her charm from the "Cheetah Girls" movies and was instead lackluster.
I thought that this movie was going to be a "so bad it's good" type, and boy was I wrong.In conclusion, the movie is long, boring, and the acting is horrible.
I like the fact that it adds family values and that no matter what life throws at you God will forgive you and give you peace.
This is really an excellent Christian movie will recommend it to my friend.
Bad acting, no tobyMac, unfortunate movie overall.
As a Christian this movie horrifies me.
Also, the plot was confusing in the fact that the movie starts off with Miles being an active drug dealer and then immediately moving two years later to when he is supposedly a concert manager.
After a recent view of "I'm in Love with a Church Girl" this reviewer can readily see what is happening with American Evangelical Christianity's love affair with the materialistic world-view.
From the very first scene one can tell directly that the film was made as an evangelistic tool to draw in a certain element of society caught up in the very real world of drugs and crime.
From the very first scene of presenting 'cool' Christian rap music that is portrayed as just as good if not better than the world's music without 'sounding lame' we can see the setup.
One of the unfortunate messages this film gives to decent Christian women is to date below your level and you can change a looser into a winner.
The movie message was bad, the acting was even worse.
Do not waste your time or money on this movie and by all means lock up your daughters before they think they can date scum and they will turn into the elect of God..
Like many people, when I saw this film I was cautious because it had all the signs of being bad.
Heck, God is listed as an executive producer to show you what type of direction the film will have.Characters & StoryThe story for the movie deals with one Miles Montego (played by Ja Rule) who is a former gangster who seemed to get out just at the right time and go legit.
For example, in the film, he has one event called the "Old School Funk Fest."But, even with a million dollar home, $300,000 dollar car, loving parents and friends, the man is missing something in his life.
Leading us to watch the two fall in love, as Miles rediscovers his faith.Praise One thing I must admit, I came into this movie with the lowest expectations possible and yet was surprised by how much I enjoyed the film.
Ja Rule, I think, could possible fit that gap DMX left once he started handling his life the way he has, and could possibly just as much play a gangster as he could a love interest.
Though her character wasn't well defined, she still played a good enough love interest to make it so you could see why a man who could have anyone, like Miles could, would want her by his side.Also, I must admit I liked how there was some attempt at not having any of the groups in the film be undeniable protagonist or antagonist.
Though we see them threaten lives, bust people's windows and sometimes act like they are in a rap video, at the same time you see this friendship between them and Miles which shows that there is something more to them than simply what is visually presented on screen.Criticism Leading to one of the big criticisms I have with the film, outside of Miles, no character gets a lot of development.
Bailon's Vanessa, for example, has one line about her future and life outside of Miles in which we can assume she maybe in college trying to be a doctor, a nurse, or something in the medical field.
Throughout the film, there is such a heavy handed approach to making sure you know this is a movie about Christians and what a faith in god means to them, and could mean to you, that it sometimes drowns out genuinely decent scenes.Then, to make things worse, not only are you drowned with Christian faith, but when they have the film set in church the music is horrible and there is no sermon which makes you want to shout "Amen!" If anything, all you see is this mega church, a pastor in a Lamborghini and you can hear the argument in the back of your head how these people are being scammed so some guy can support a ridiculous lifestyle.Mind you, they do show some positives of going to church, like how community based it is, but I feel like the mixing of them having Miles and his friends, then having Vanessa in her means of finding god in everything, just didn't mix well.
I'd even think someone who was a Christian would be like, "enough already, I get it.
You're a Christian, surely there is something else which defines you." Then, to add onto the film's issues, it is two hours long and feels like the type of film you watch for a while, see what else is on, and then come back to it.
DID I MENTION HOW BAD THE ACTING WAS AND SO DRY, IM COUGHING UP SAND eversince I've seen the movie 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼.
Wanted to love this movie.
Even Vanessa was too trusting of Myles, a bad message to teach our children- the believer rarely wins over the non-believer in real life.As a Christian, I really wanted to love this movie.
Too many Christian films try to hammer the message home so obviously, they become caricatures.The latter part of the movie gets better, there is more genuine emotional turmoil.
Not a bad film, but not very good either.