Creativity spurs new media for kids
Artist inspired by “greatest storyteller of all”
Through his gifts as a writer, composer and director, Bruce Stacey wants to produce quality content that points to Christ. From working on children’s series such as God Rocks!, God Rocks! Dance Craze and Kingdom Adventure, to directing the movie Ice Dragon: Legend of the Blue Daisies, to composing The Scroll musical, Stacey’s creativity has resonated with audiences of all ages.
“It has been a tough couple of years for people, and many have been drawn to stories, whether they’re binge-watching Netflix or something else, and I think faith needs to have a voice in that,” says Stacey from his home in Carlisle, Ont. “It has forced the Church to get more creative in front of the screen and use tools of communication more effectively.
“Jesus was the master at that – the greatest storyteller of all – and often used open-ended parables to explain the truth of the Kingdom to folks.”
Stacey’s journey into the world of children’s programming began in the 1980s out of a desire to create wholesome content for his four children. “The ‘kids focus’ led me down an interesting stream that has kept me young at heart too,” says Stacey, now a grandfather of seven (www.BruceStacey.com).
Five years ago Stacey began working with U.K.-based Wonderborn Studios, which produces and distributes child and youth content for both the faith-based and mainstream market. The company recently launched Raise Up Faith, a children’s ministry curriculum platform, featuring a reboot of God Rocks! with new animation and series releases.
The award-winning God Rocks! music library has also been digitally remastered with a new album that will be released every month this year on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music.
“My hope is that the message, or these nuggets of truth, will add up in someone’s life, whether it means a nudge toward a closer walk with the Lord, or just having someone think about the world differently,” says Stacey. “These basic truths from Scripture can really build positive lives for kids in Christ.”
“Jesus often used open-ended parables to explain the truth of the Kingdom to folks.”