David Dietrich

Dec 15

10 min read ⭑

“God is with us through it all, and the Holy Spirit is working through us all the time. The question is, do we see it? Do we trust what he is doing more than what we desire to happen?”

David Dietrich loves a good story. But when he looked around at the stories our culture creates and consumes, he wasn’t happy. So he decided to do something about it. David launched Creator Films so he and his team could tell engaging and entertaining stories infused with faith. The company now has hundreds of investors and is continuing to spread the hope of Jesus through movies, TV shows, and even webcomics.

In today’s interview, David is getting honest about the role faith and storytelling play in his everyday life. You’ll get an insider’s look at his favorite spiritual practices, his go-to ways to relax, and resources that have changed his life.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

There's much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?

I've lived in a small suburb in Riverside, California, for more than 30 years. There are many great spots to get a memorable taste infusion, but in my life, going out to eat is about people and events. Few events have changed all of us collectively as much as the pandemic and few people have changed our lives individually more than our spouses. This story includes both for me.

It was my anniversary and after weeks—or months or however long it had been—there was an option for indoor dining. The only catch was it was a chain restaurant that we didn't particularly care for in the past. A funny thing happened, though. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and our experience at the restaurant completely changed.

At that moment, our prior experience of dissatisfaction was altered because of present needs. The availability (and willingness) to provide for that need changed our relationship with and impression of this restaurant.

It’s an interesting event in my mind because it speaks to the way a mind is changed. Even someone who is your enemy can be changed if you meet their personal needs that arise through circumstances. It is a reminder to me that this is what Christ did for us, and what we are called to do for others. Find people with needs and change their relationships with and impressions of Jesus and the church.

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called "nonspiritual" activities do you love and help you find spiritual renewal?

I find Dominion, Risk, and Scythe very gratifying. This is because they’re all board games, and I love a good game. Games on the tabletop or my desktop computer are a wonderful outlet for me to relax and recharge.

Life is filled with problems, and as the person responsible for my life, I’m the one who needs to solve those problems as best I can. And yet many problems can’t be solved, and at times, it’s exhausting to live in the tension of the unresolved. Games are wonderful because they present problems and solutions all in one sitting. They allow me to use the faculties of my mind without risking a lack of resolution. This can be a welcome reprieve from the realities of the unsolved problems we face each day.

But there’s a danger in it as well. Anything we use to bring reprieve from the weights of the world that are not refocusing us on Christ can become an idol. An idol is something that turns our focus on it and away from God. Relaxation can become escapism; hobbies can become identity; interests can become obsessions.

One thing I’ve learned from my love for strategy games is that you must consider all the relevant information before making a move. They force you to pursue prudence, balance, and above all, wisdom to make moves that achieve your goal. My faith can benefit from this same approach as I persevere to finish the race.

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness. Every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite and how do you hide it?

What does it mean to follow the peace of the Lord? There are many layers to that question. One of the layers is balancing your expectations. Expectations, to me, have always been a double-edged sword. I believe that nothing is impossible for God and yet I see failure as true as anything else in life. As a person with big ideas and enough vision to get me in trouble, how am I supposed to balance my expectations with God's power?

This question has led to many moments of paralysis. It is easy for me to become exhausted and discouraged because something may not meet my expectations. My expectations are focused on the moment, the goals I have set forth, and the way others will perceive success.

I know too well that failure is always something that can happen in any venture (no matter if I felt the Lord was in it or not.) Will this business be successful? Will there be a market for this project? Is this scene funny? Is this character relevant?

I realized, though, that the people I admired the most followed the peace of the Lord no matter where it led. Not because they knew the results, but because they were called. Days when I live out that truth are days of peace. I have Ephesians 2:10 engraved on my eyeglasses to remind me that he has set good works in my path to walk through. He hasn’t always revealed the destination, and good works occur even in perceived failures.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your obsession? And why should it be ours?

I remember sitting and thinking about the prodigal son when I was in my 20s. I had heard the story so many times in church, but never really engaged with it. Up to that point, it has been head-knowledge that had never made it to my heart. But at that moment, I engaged with the text. I started asking myself questions about the content. The power of that story revealed to me the selfishness in my heart. I was the entitled brother who stayed at home looking at the prodigal with judgment.

The Holy Spirit uses stories to open the eyes and ears of both unbelievers and believers. That is what drives me to lead a team of creatives and tell stories infused with faith.

Creator Films isn't just about a single project. It is a company owned by people of faith making media for the world. We have hundreds of investors who partner with us not just through capital, but through developmental feedback on projects, social media marketing, and prayer.

Right now, we have projects at all stages of development and distribution. About Hope is available on Amazon Prime, The Creator and Me is our webcomic (which you can read on our Facebook page), The Adventures of Steebie Dee is entering production on our first season, and Christmas in Kalispell is scheduled to shoot in 2022. It's hard to pick just one of them to say gives us the most excitement.

I suppose the thing I am most excited about is seeing believers gather together to use their resources to create with us. We are blessed to have a community of everyday people of faith taking a step to bring stories to life that can change hearts.

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens?

The heart of what we do at Creator Films is communication. Jesus communicated through parables to transform hearts; we desire to communicate through modern stories to achieve the same effect. But it is the Holy Spirit who opens eyes and ears for heart transformation to happen, so although it sounds cliché, the most important thing we do is pray over everything.

I’m not talking about just praying in our heads or quick machine-gun repetition. We stop and pray. It's hard to remember and has taken time to build the habit. Praying together is important, praying Scripture is wonderful, and praying with confidence is key. There is one thing that I believe is very different, though, and that is that we pray with anticipation but try to avoid expectations. What does that mean? It means that we try to keep ourselves from looking for a specific answer to the prayers.

So often, we can treat prayer like a list of requests instead of an act of submission or a desire for deliverance rather than endurance. The thing I have realized is that God is with us through it all, and the Holy Spirit is working through us all the time. The question is, do we see it? Do we trust what he is doing more than what we desire to happen?

We know this is true because we have lived it. Every time we hear a testimony of a life being affected by our work, we know God is the only one who could’ve opened those eyes and ears. It’s not us.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied actions that open our hearts to the presence of God. So spill it, which spiritual practice is workin' best for you right now?

Prayer and worship. At the beginning of my walk with Jesus, I wanted to understand God. Understand the way theology all fit together and what implications that had for my approach to life. As I have aged (and hopefully matured), I find that what I need most is to align my heart with his.

I am not a musician, but praise music still helps me worship. I find that worship helps me bring up what is in my heart and direct it toward God. My pursuit of understanding has not stopped, but it has been quenched with the realization that God is more than I will ever understand. I understand enough to trust, and worship is a reminder of the reasons I trust.

Closely aligned with worship is prayer. I have taken the habit of praying with others. As I drive to the office each morning, I try and connect with someone and ask them if I can pray with them as I drive to work (of course with eyes open and attuned to the road.)

One practice I find very fruitful is to pray each day through the armor of God. Memorizing the Scripture and applying it each day as a remembrance of not only the war we are in, but also the equipping that has taken place to prepare us for battle.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Our email subscribers get free ebooks featuring our favorite resources—lots of things that have truly impacted our faith lives. But you know about some really great stuff, too. What are three resources that have impacted you?

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. This is one of my favorite books. It gives a wonderful foundation of the Christian faith and answers many important questions in such a concise and accessible way.

Look at the Book by John Piper. In this book, John provides great demonstrations of tearing passages apart and encourages you to wrestle with the Bible’s text and meaning.

Free Burma Rangers, a documentary film. This documentary is a powerful look at living radically for the gospel in the face of physical danger. It changed the way I look at living and the way I seek the peace of the Lord in following his call.

We all have things we cling to to survive (or thrive) in tough times. Name one resource you’ve found indispensable in this current season—and tell us what it's done for you.

The YouVersion Bible App is pretty amazing. I especially love the audio Bibles and being able to listen to them in the background while I drive or work in the office.

There have been so many times when I’ll be playing in the background, not entirely paying attention to it, when some statement pops into my focus and grabs my full attention. A statement of encouragement, reproof, or equipping. It's been a great way to stay in the Word more.

QUESTION #8: dream

God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

I am tired of seeing what I would call a demonically influenced worldview being packaged in bright colors and cute animals to sell to children. A worldview that calls good evil and evil good. A worldview that justifies unbridled desire, selfish ambition, hate for others, and confusion around our identity.

The pandemic saw an exponential increase in digital consumption. We are inundated with messaging, and so much of it deceives and seduces our flesh. Sitting in my living room looking for a new show to watch with my kids (5 and 8), I was completely discouraged by the messaging of modern children's programming. So after some prayer, I presented to my board of directors a new vision for Creator Films to launch children's programming.

We launched Creator Kids and recently secured funds for our pilot episode of The Adventures of Steebie Dee. It's a fun show about exploring creation to learn more about its Creator. We have received very positive feedback from our investors and are excited to get the pilot out next year.

With anything new, though, there is always uncertainty, and the enemy loves to attack the insecurity that comes with uncertainty. We continue to push forward, always reminding ourselves that we are called to obedience, not to worldly success. We persevere and ask for God's favor in all we do, but in the end, all we can control is the obedience to follow the call wherever that may lead!

Some of the most successful companies and products were created simply because someone noticed a need. Where would we be as a society without things like phones, ATMs, cars, or even local anesthesia?

Each of those was created to meet a need, whether it be communication, connection, access to cash, or release from pain. At its core, that’s all innovation is—meeting needs creatively.

That’s what David did. He noticed a dire need in our culture for stories that communicate truth instead of lies, hope instead of despair, love instead of hatred. So he launched Creator Films.

But innovation isn’t just for a select few. We all can innovate in big or small ways. The question is, what does that look like for you? What need do you see around you that God is calling you to meet in a creative way?

David D. Dietrich is the founder of Creator Films and the director/producer of the film About Hope. He founded Creator Films to be a company owned by people of faith making movies for the world. It now has hundreds of investors and continues to build a community committed to spreading the hope and truth of Jesus through story. David loves Jesus, his wife, his kids, and the church. He is also a board game nerd.

Justin Camp