About The Project
Overview
Our current cultural landscape leaves little room for human limitation. We overemphasize independence, speed, productivity, rationality, and youthful strength, often at the expense of vulnerability and interdependence. This narrow anthropology affects everyone, but its consequences fall most heavily on people with disabilities. However, the Christian story offers a different understanding of our shared humanity marked by mutual belonging.
Mutual Belonging is a formational documentary that explores disability through the lens of the Christian faith. Within a Christian anthropology, those with disabilities are not suboptimal humans, lesser disciples, or exceptions to the Image of God. They are indispensable members of the Body of Christ who bear gifts which enrich the whole community. Intersecting the story of Jay Tyner-Wilson with interviews from Dr. John Swinton, Dr. Armand Léon van Ommen, Dr. Brian Brock, and Dr. Grant Macaskill, Mutual Belonging offers an initial exploration into how congregations can faithfully share life with people with disabilities within their individual and collective lives.
This film invites churches to attend more closely to the lived realities of disabled lives and move toward a renewed anthropology under Christ.
Harrison Eid
Harrison (or “Hap”) has backgrounds in disability, theology, and video production. His reflections on faith and disability largely stem from his relationship with his older autistic brother, and the experiences of his brother in Christian communities.
Harrison completed a B.A. in Religion at Baylor University, an M.A. in Religion at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and currently works as a Director and Editor for Willow Film Company in Waco, Texas. After telling many stories in commercial and nonprofit settings, Harrison wanted to combine his experiences to create a documentary which would help begin conversations for what it means for those with disabilities to truly belong in congregations and the broader community.
Director
Will Aker
Will is a video producer, film director and cinematographer based in Texas. Through his production company, Willow Film Company, he partners with brands, non-profits, organizations, and various production companies around the world.
Will specializes in telling real-life stories. He has captured dozens of stories using his documentary style and is excited to play a role in this project to tell the story of how mutual connection between those with and without disabilities can take shape. You can view more of Will’s work on his website; www.willowfilmco.com
Producer
Renzo Meza
Renzo is a hospital chaplain, pastor-theologian, poet and a Personal Care Aide (PCA) for Doug, a 58-year-old man with Down Syndrome. He felt called to serve Doug, in large part, through theologian John Swinton’s writings on spirituality, health, and disability. His work with Doug and as a hospital chaplain has led to reflection on how the Church and the healthcare system can best serve those living with disabilities.
He completed a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Alliance University and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Theological Research Consultant
Jonathan Blair
Jonathan Blair is an Austin-based visual storyteller with over a decade of experience in video production. He has filmed multiple feature documentaries, and helped a diverse range of organizations promote their services and reach their audiences. With a versatile skill set in cinematography, sound engineering, and post-production, Jonathan looks forward to creative collaboration.
For Jonathan, getting to do what he loves every day makes professional work feel like play. He has a strong heart for faith-based storytelling and is excited to be a part of this project on faith and disability.
