Last week I wrote an article titled "Time to use drama, film to spread gospel", which elicited some encouraging responses and I felt Zimbabweans should know how other people in different walks of life view the idea of Christian films, dramas or documentaries in spreading the gospel. Stanley Gwanzura, popularly known as Pastor Gee who is also a renowned gospel artiste in Zimbabwe, said.

Christian films, dramas and documentaries have a major impact on people's lives as they propagate the Christian culture through teaching Christian values which are important in shaping societies.

"I believe Christian films or dramas have a major impact on people as they teach Christian values. Some may tend to be over the board such as some Nigerian films which are poorly produced and give a poor portrayal of Christianity.

"Christian films and dramas should dramatise real issues of life that affect people. If they are too churchy, people may shun them," said Pastor Gee.

To emphasise his point, Pastor Gee quoted the example of Western Christian movies such as "Fireproof" which addresses real-life issues such as marriage, divorce, financial problems in families and other similar topical issues which Christians and non-Christians relate to.

Pastor T. Ndebele believes Christian movies, dramas and documentaries have the potential to reach non-Christians and other people who are not motivated to study the word of God.

"The idea of the gospel being preached through dramas, movies and films is great. Such productions tend to reach out to more people who are not practising Christians and those who are lazy to spend time with God.

"My only problem is that some actors who are not Christians may fail to correctly represent Christ and end up cheapening the gospel. Some of these productions have a profit motive, and they give more play-time to glorifying the devil, only to close with the words "glory to God" at the end. Such must be rejected."

Apostle T. Chivaviro, who is based in South Africa, said he has shared the idea of spreading the gospel through Christian films with artistes and ministers of the word in Zimbabwe.

He added that similar productions were happening in Johannesburg, South Africa, where gospel musicians are teaming up with some actors to come up with Christian films.

"I have long been sharing this idea with fellow gospel artistes and ministers of the word in Zimbabwe.

"We have gospel musicians here in Johannesburg who are teaming up with some actors to come up with such productions. How I wish that some artistes there could take up the challenge. Imagine

Baba naMai Charamba, Fungisai, Mahendere Brothers, Kudzi Nyakudya all featuring in a movie on Christianity and HIV/Aids, how many people would love to watch it and how many would take such a movie and its message seriously"

Mr T. Nyaruwanga, a marketer at Innov8 Motivational Company and member of the Roman Catholic Church, said Christian movies have a huge impact in people's lives as they minister the word of God.

"I think Christian movies have a huge impact in people's lives as they minister the word of God. Personally, I like Christian movies by Tyler Perry who produces African American Christian movies. His movies have Christian messages which are educational but also very entertaining"

Tawanda Dhoro, a University of Zimbabwe student and member of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe, said Christian movies and dramas and documentaries would promote good morals in people.

"I think Christian dramas, films and documentaries would be very good considering that they promote good morals in people. Our society would be far more changed if we had more Christian programming on TV, than the usual violent programming that we are exposed to on our television screens."

Darlington Kamashu, a Form 4 student at Elite Academy and also a member of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe, said he is sceptical about the idea of Christian movies or dramas as these may not measure up to the usual secular entertainment which allows for action, horror and romance.

"Personally I have doubts that real entertainment can be derived from the Bible. I don't think it is possible to see an actor like Will Smith featuring in a Christian movie. It will either be boring or not possible considering that the movie actor himself may not be a Christian."