Deidox films document contemporary stories about God interacting with the world.
Lindsay is a teacher in the Bronx. Deon is a police officer on Skid Row. Robert is a doctor in a small-town clinic. These are normal people, but they do extraordinary things every day to accomplish God’s work in today’s world . . . and they have each had a documentary film made about their work.
According to Dave Mahanes, these people don’t often make the news for the work they do. But they, and other subjects of Deidox films, have powerful, moving stories that inspire him and his partner, Brent Gudgel.
“If they empowered us, if their work renewed our resolve for the tasks God gave us; then we knew others would be moved as well. That’s when we decided to tell their stories,” says Mahanes.
Getting Started
Although Gudgel and Mahanes met only a few years ago, they have much in common. Gudgel is an experienced film director, and Mahanes has produced award-winning promotional videos. Both are PKs (preacher’s kids). Both have been involved in ministry and missions outreach. And, certainly, they enjoy communicating through film.
The men decided to join forces—Gudgel, as director, and Mahanes, as producer—and create contemporary stories about God interacting with the world.
First, they needed a company name. “We are telling short documentaries about an active God,” explains Mahanes. Therefore, Deidox seems to be a perfect fit. The company name combines the Latin word for God—Dei—with a shortened form of documentary—Dox.
The first big project that Gudgel and Mahanes made together spotlighted the HIV/AIDS crisis in Swaziland, the most HIV-infected nation in the world. The documentary titled Dear Francis was picked up by Showtime Television and The Movie Channel and aired in 2007 and 2008. The success of this documentary set the tone for what they describe as an incredible ride.
Quick to follow, the three short films, Lindsay, Robert, and Deon, have made an impact on the Internet. The convenient formats and affordable prices are the first thing that customers notice. However, once they view the films, audiences become focused on the high-quality productions of thought-provoking stories.
Telling a Story
Deidox is changing the way Christians communicate what it means to serve God.
The documentary films are not based on scripts. A film crew uses small, high-quality cameras to record the day-to-day activities of a subject. They usually spend a week following a person around, staying in the background, and allowing the camera to watch what God is doing. Mahanes says, “It’s a true documentary experience, resulting in refreshingly authentic filmmaking.”
Churches and individuals are finding innovative ways to use the short films. They have been used as sermon illustrations during worship services, as icebreakers at Bible studies, and as discussion starters at age-level group meetings. And, because of the convenient format available, individuals are downloading the films onto computers and cell phones for personal awareness.
As a bonus, each film comes with a free, downloadable discussion starter to be used by groups or to enhance individual study.
The Second Act
Deidox films have successfully challenged and inspired many people with high-quality productions and engaging stories. However, the company’s determination to further God’s work doesn’t stop at the studio door. Mahanes and Gudgel have come up with a way to draw attention to and support other organizations that share God’s love on a daily basis.
Each Deidox story is paired with a non-profit organization that complements the themes and issues raised in the documentary. Then, every time a film is sold, the company donates one dollar to that non-profit organization to help it accomplish its mission.
More to Come
The list of Deidox films continues to grow. God is using normal people in extraordinary ways, and Gudgel and Mahanes are documenting it for us.
“Our hope is that we spur people on from just being hearers of the Word to actually being doers of the Word,” says Mahanes.
If you would like to know more about Deidox, obtain a list of current films available for download, or share information about an important story that needs to be told, go to deidox.com.
Ella Robinson writes from her home in Pleasant Grove, Alabama.
According to Dave Mahanes, these people don’t often make the news for the work they do. But they, and other subjects of Deidox films, have powerful, moving stories that inspire him and his partner, Brent Gudgel.
active God,” explains Mahanes. Therefore, Deidox seems to be a perfect fit. The company name combines the Latin word for God—Dei
