If you’ve spent any time browsing the deeper corners of Amazon Prime Video or faith-based streaming services like EncourageTV, you’ve likely bumped into the work of Josiah David Warren. He’s a bit of a whirlwind in the independent Christian film scene. Actor, director, producer, writer—honestly, the guy does it all, often within the same production.
Born in Denver back in 1989, Warren didn't just stumble into the industry. He basically grew up in a ministry-focused environment as the son of Pastor Sun East, who founded Strong Foundation Films. This family connection is the backbone of almost every Josiah David Warren project you’ll see. Since about 2011, he has been pumping out features at a rate that would make most indie directors dizzy.
But here is the thing: his work is incredibly polarizing. On one hand, you have a loyal audience that finds his "parables on film" deeply moving and spiritually fortifying. On the other, he’s become a frequent target for "bad movie" aficionados and YouTube critics who find the low-budget aesthetics and intense plots a bit much to handle.
The Early Days and The Prophet’s Son
The 2012 release of The Prophet's Son is probably the best place to start if you want to understand the Josiah David Warren vibe. It’s an ambitious, sprawling story. It tries to tackle everything: teen violence, gang culture, romance, family tragedy, and—wait for it—an impending nuclear attack on the United States.
It’s a lot.
Warren stars as Abel Benjamin, a talented concert musician and the son of a prophet. The film attempts to weave together a narrative about a high school shooting and political instability. While the production values are definitely "indie," the earnestness is through the roof. It set the template for what was to come: high-stakes drama mixed with unapologetic Gospel messages.
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A Rapid-Fire Filmography
After The Prophet’s Son, the floodgates opened. Warren and Strong Foundation Films began releasing movies almost annually, sometimes even faster. If you look at the josiah david warren movies and tv shows catalog, you’ll notice a recurring theme of redemption in the face of absolute catastrophe.
Take Seventy Times Seven (2012). It’s a revenge-to-forgiveness arc where a man’s wife is murdered, and he has to decide between picking up a gun or picking up his faith. Then there’s The Takeover (2013), which is often cited by critics as one of his most nonsensical plots, involving corporate espionage and, again, a lot of very dramatic staring.
- Scarlett (2016): This one leans more into the "tear-jerker" romance category. It follows two architects whose lives are upended by a cancer diagnosis. It’s arguably one of his more visually polished works from that era.
- Run (2017): An action-heavy drama that deals with human trafficking. It’s gritty—or at least as gritty as a faith-based film allows—and features Warren in a leading role as a man trying to rescue a woman from a dark underworld.
- Who Am I? (2018): This film focuses heavily on identity and the typical Strong Foundation trope of a character losing their way before finding Christ.
Transitioning to Television: Real Stories with Christ
Around 2015, Warren shifted some of his energy toward the small screen with Real Stories with Christ. This is more of an episodic anthology series, though it often feels like several short movies stitched together.
Warren usually appears as "Pastor Joe," a character who acts as a bridge between the audience and the various people in crisis. The show tackles some pretty heavy "real world" issues—homelessness, drug addiction, and domestic abuse. It’s basically the "Law & Order" of the Christian world, but with much more prayer and fewer courtroom scenes.
The production style here is very consistent with his movies. You’re going to get handheld camera work, dramatic musical scores (which Warren often helps compose), and a very specific acting style that favors big, emotional breakthroughs.
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Why People Keep Watching (And Why Others Don't)
It is easy to dunk on indie films for having "over-driven audio" or "loud soundtracks," and believe me, the internet does that plenty with Warren’s work. There’s a whole subreddit and several podcasts dedicated to mocking the production flaws in these movies.
But that misses a huge part of the story.
There is a massive, underserved audience that doesn't care if the color grading is a little wonky or if the dialogue feels a bit stiff. They want stories where the "good guy" wins through faith and where the Gospel is the literal solution to the plot's conflict. Warren provides that without any of the irony or "preachy-lite" watering down you see in big-budget Hollywood attempts at faith films.
Recent Projects and Summer Rain
In more recent years, we’ve seen The Day You Found Me (2022) and Summer Rain (2024). Summer Rain sees Warren taking on the role of Andre Edwards. The production quality in these later films has definitely stepped up compared to the 2012 era. You can see a director who has spent over a decade on sets finally getting a handle on the technical side of the craft.
He’s still working with his wife, Alexis Noel Warren, and his family’s production company. It’s a very tight-knit operation. This independence allows him to ignore industry trends and keep making exactly what he wants.
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Where to Actually Watch Them
If you’re curious and want to see what the fuss is about, you don't have to look far. Most of the josiah david warren movies and tv shows are available for free (with ads) on various platforms.
- YouTube: Channels like EncourageTV and Bigtime - Christian Movies host full versions of The Prophet's Son, Seventy Times Seven, and episodes of Real Stories with Christ.
- Amazon Prime: Many of the Strong Foundation films are available to stream if you have a Prime membership.
- Pure Flix / Christian Cinema: These are the primary hubs for his target demographic.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
If you’re planning a deep dive into this filmography, go in with the right mindset. These aren't $100 million blockbusters. They are ministry tools disguised as entertainment.
- Start with Scarlett or The Day You Found Me if you want to see his best technical work.
- Watch The Takeover or The Prophet’s Son if you want to see the "classic" era that made him a cult figure among indie film fans.
- Check out Real Stories with Christ if you prefer bite-sized, redemptive narratives over long-form movies.
The reality is that Josiah David Warren has carved out a niche that most filmmakers would envy. He has total creative control, a consistent output, and a dedicated audience that knows exactly what they’re getting when his name pops up in the credits. Whether you love the message or find the movies "so bad they're good," you can't deny the guy’s work ethic. He’s a one-man film industry in the world of Christian cinema.
To get the most out of these films, try watching them with a group. They are prime material for discussion—whether you're talking about the theology or the lighting choices. Just don't expect a quiet, subtle experience; a Josiah David Warren movie is always going to go big or go home.