The Fork in the Road

SIM Ethiopia approached me to create a vision casting film that would communicate a significant shift in organizational priorities. Rather than relying on facts, data, or strategy language, the challenge was to express this change in a way that felt human, memorable, and invitational. The solution was to tell a story.

Working with the team I lead, we developed and pitched a narrative built around a real and symbolic moment from SIM's history. Over a century ago, missionaries stood at a fork in the road and chose one path that led to unexpected fruit. The film reflects on that decision while inviting viewers to consider the untrodden road that leads. The story unfolds like a conversation with a grandfather, sharing wisdom, history, and an invitation to take the next step.

I led the project from concept through delivery, shaping the script, directing and shooting on location, communicating with our Ethiopian production partners, and crafting the edit to support both inspiration and clarity. One of my favorite parts was working with an Ethiopian musician named Kibraeb Tassew to create a custom score using musical elements gathered in the field, grounding the film in place and culture. The final piece served as both a compelling vision statement and a clear call to action, and the SIM Ethiopia team felt the story captured the heart of where they believe God is leading them next.