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. The films are sometimes less films and more long-winded sermons that, by the end of their runtime, have done nothing but tirelessly preach to the choir and can be metaphorically compared to a preacher who gets so wrapped up in what they're preaching they circle back to their point several times as they race around the stage with their face bathed in sweat and their voice getting more and more raspy as time goes on.At least with the abundance of Christian films that seem to center themselves on storyline improbabilities and contrivances, at least this one seems more focused on dealing with a grimmer reality than many other films of the genre. 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. The two begin a relationship, but the immediate difference is that Vanessa is a devout believer and a loyalist to her local church and community while Miles simply strikes deals around the local church and thinks of the community, as a whole, as a haven for paying customers. 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. Directed by: Steve Race.

This film is reminds me of when I was a youth as I started out on the same path this young man did for all the wrong reasons. Redemption is usually a prerequisite from something you was not proud of in prior things in your life and I think this film touches on a person can change once he or she excepts Christ in your life as your Lord and savior. 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 really enjoyed watching the transformation of the character as you find yourself pulling for them too succeed and getting them on the right path too a promising future. 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

The whole movie is a success story, a true story that is well organized and played on screen. It teaches how no one is left out of the sight of God. Most importantly, there is a God who watches over everyone and is seeking us all. 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.

Finally Hollywood is putting out a movie that teaches values and morals without the use of guns, drugs, cursing, violence, sex, etc. This movie is so different and unique because of the fact that it had values that can actually help the youth. My wife and I left the movie feeling refreshed and positive about our society. 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. Look around and you will see that we have strayed far from what is moral. Maybe if we turn back to God we can live in the world that we all envision. More movies like this can help that happen. Thank God for the courage of all those involved in the movie, especially Ja-Rule.