Record deal signed

• By Melanie Oelrich
• Published: October 23rd, 2012

Producers from the faith-based film “Finding Faith” — which features Erik Estrada of the 80s sitcom “CHiPs” and multiple Liberty University students — have continued to encourage student involvement in their project with the implementation of a songwriting contest for the movie’s soundtrack.

Recognition — Senior Katelyn Scott signs a record deal with Red Tie Music. Photo credit: Melanie Oelrich

Work for the collaborative soundtrack is in its beginning stages. Christian artists such as Avalon, Newsboys, Charles Billingsley, Meredith Andrews, Jason Crabb and Liberty worship pastor Justin Kintzel will feature songs in the original soundtrack.

Producers from the movie created a contest held by the songwriting specialization department calling for Liberty worship students to enter a song in hopes of being featured in the movie soundtrack.

Katelyn Scott, a senior center for music and worship major with an artist specialization, won the Finding Faith Soundtrack Songwriter’s award for her song, “Safe in Your Arms.” Stephanie Bettcher will perform Scott’s song as the protagonist, Faith.

“The song really focuses on the reassurance that the Lord is there for all those questions you have,” Scott said. “For so long, the Lord has been placing songs in my heart, but, for too long, I let fear keep me from sharing them. It’s so neat how the Lord has worked on my heart to overcome fear and start sharing songs and praying for them to be used in others’ lives.”

Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown, who initiated the idea for the movie, expressed his delight to have a Liberty student offer a song for the soundtrack and looks forward to hearing it in the movie. He also said that word of the movie has spread past the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Someone from the West Virginia state police saw the trailer, and now it’s all over the state of West Virginia,” Brown said. “Everybody that I spoke with had heard of Finding Faith … it speaks well of everybody working on this project.”

Once the movie is released, a few members of the cast and crew will embark on a screening tour, visiting churches throughout the country. Erik Estrada will also make select appearances, joining the “Finding Faith” crew. Stops will include several locations in Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Nevada, New York, Canada and others.

The film is set to release with a special screening at Thomas Road Baptist Church Jan. 19.