The Masked Saint is coming to a town near you

By ChristianWeek | January 20, 2016

A masked vigilante is coming to your town, and he’s been sent by God. In a good-vs-evil tale of super hero proportions, the true story of a wrestler-turned-pastor who fights injustice by night and serves as a pastor by day, is coming to Canadian theatres on January 22, 2016.

The Masked Saint details the true story of Chris Samuels, a professional wrestler and family man who realizes he’s called to something much more in life. God’s call for him to become a pastor prompts him to exit the ring and move with his wife and daughter to a small town. Faced with the unrelenting demands that come with church ministry, Chris realizes the battles he faced as a wrestler pale in comparison to the battleground of pastoral ministry.

But something shocking is about to happen. His old life as a wrestler will come back to haunt him, or so it seems. When he stumbles onto a fight on the seedy side of town, his passion for justice and wrestling skills take down the assailant and a masked vigilante is born. His talent, as well as his secret identity, begins to overshadow his calling as a pastor. With the help of family and friends, Chris is able to find his way back to his true calling, where faith, truth and goodness form his identity as a pastor.

"If you are in need of encouragement and you love it when truth overcomes evil and when the underdog rallies to pull out a win, you’re going to love The Masked Saint. It’s a good one," says Dr. Kevin Leman, world-renowned Christian author and speaker.

Leman’s not the only one who agrees. The Masked Saint won Best Picture at the 2015 International Christian Film Festival, and was nominated for best actor, score and director, making it one of the most highly-anticipated faith films of 2016. It has received multiple endorsements by WWE Hall of Famers as well as prominent leaders in the Church, including Paige Patterson, President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

"The Saint confronts the reality that there are no easy calls in life. But this does not mean that there are not right and responsible calls,” says Patterson. “From the theatrical world of wrestling to the real world of human hurt and sorrow, this film demonstrates the adequacy of a life lived for Christ to transform everyone associated with that lifestyle into peace and joy."

Filmed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and produced by Sault native, Cliff McDowell of P23 Entertainment, The Masked Saint is the first entirely Canadian-made faith film, including an all-Canadian production team, filming location and cast members.

“I loved being back on my home turf to produce my first feature film” said McDowell. “After meeting with Pastor Chris, I really connected with his story as it mirrors my life in many ways and I knew I had to produce this film. It’s such an incredibly inspiring story about forgiveness, second chances and overcoming your own pride.”

The cast features icons of the screen like Diahann Carroll and WWE Hall of Famer ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, alongside stars Brett Granstaff and Lara Jean Chorostecki.

The Masked Saint is based on the highly popular book of the same name by Pastor Chris Whaley.

"I wanted to share my story in the hopes that audiences would see that we serve a God who gives second chances…and third ones…and fourth ones,” says pastor Whaley. “When you have nothing left to offer, allow God to put you back on the potter’s wheel and shape your life into something meaningful. The Masked Saint is a story about how God can use our lives in greater ways than we could ever imagine."

Additional information about the film, including Canadian release locations, can be viewed at The Masked Saint website.