GALT, CA (MPG) - A six-episode TV series, soon to be released, had its start right here in Galt. “These Stones” is based on a book written by Galt’s Tim Stevenson, senior pastor of Horizon Community Church for the past 28 years.

The original concept came to Stevenson several years ago. 

“The Bible says in Matthew Chapter 27 that after Jesus Christ died on the cross, three things happened: a great earthquake, the temple veil was torn in two, and many ‘Holy Ones’ came out of their graves and went into the city,” said Stevenson. “That passage has always amazed me, and the Bible never says what happened to those people who became alive again.”

Stevenson, who has written other plays, stories and many poems, started to write a play about his idea that the “risen” people could still be here. The story is based in modern times and deals with many issues that people face.

“What if they are still around? What if they are still helping people and sharing God’s message, the hope that we are never alone?” Stevenson said.

Along the way, Stevenson invited friend Peggy Porter of Galt to come alongside with her writing skills to add to it, and she became co-writer of the play, which grew so long that it became a book.

“It has been fun, and such an adventure and privilege, to be a part of this from the beginning, and right up to now,” Porter said. “I’m so anxious to watch all that God is doing and going to do through ‘These Stones.’”

After the book was finished, Stevenson had friend and published author Jeanette Towne read the manuscript. Towne was so impressed that she passed it on to another friend.

“Without Tim’s unique and intriguing idea, we would not have a series,” said Towne, now the CEO and executive producer of Stone Impact Media and “These Stones.”

“I’m super excited to be a founding part of this three-year-long project,” Towne added. 

Towne’s friend is Cheryl McCay Price, an author and screenwriter in Georgia.

Price liked the concept so much that she wrote a screenplay, which was produced as a series of six episodes.

Filming took place in the fall of 2022 in Atlanta.  

Stevenson traveled to Georgia to watch some of the filming, accompanied by his wife Gwen, Towne and husband Sam, David Hesseltine of Wallace, Wayne and Michelle Weisz of Acampo, Porter’s two sons and one daughter-in-law. 

The group also served as extras in a few episodes. Towne spent the six weeks of filming time in Georgia.

“These Stones” has won 12 awards at film festivals in the U.S. and internationally.    

It was recently picked up by a streaming service, Up Faith & Family. The first episode will be released on Thursday, Sept. 5, followed by a new episode every Thursday until Oct. 10.  

Up Faith & Family costs $5.99 per month, with a seven-day free-trial period. It also offers a 30% discount for new subscribers by using the code STONE30. 

For more information about the actors, director, producers, as well as teaser videos and a trailer, check out the production website stoneimpactmedia.com or the Internet Movie Database page imdb.com/title/tt17492344.

There will be a free local showing of the premiere episode on Thursday Sept. 5 starting at 6 p.m. at Horizon Community Church in Galt. All are welcome.

“What started right here in Galt, as a play, then a book, and now a TV series, has been pretty awesome to see,” said Stevenson. “It’s all about the hope that people can have, that the scriptures are true, and now ‘These Stones’ can share that hope, that you are never alone, and that there’s always help on the way.”