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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 12, 2011)
arts & entertainment ken Bevel Stars in The “Courageous” A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Ken Bevel is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a bache- lor’s degree in Computer Engineering Technology; he’s also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School with a MBA in Logistics Management. After 20 years of active service in the United States Marine Corps, Capt. Bevel retired to serve in the ministry on the staff of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. After 20 years of active service in the United States Marine Corps, Capt. Bevel retired to serve in the ministry on the staff of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. However, he’s also become a recogniza- ble film actor. Bevel played Lieutenant Michael Simmons in the inspirational film “Fireproof,” and is now on big screens across the country, playing police officer Nathan Hayes in “Courageous,” a police- and family- focused drama from Sherwood Pictures. Here, the Marine Corps Captain-turned- pastor/actor talks about life and about his latest role. c elebriTY i nTervieW by Kam Williams Paul and Pastor Alex in person the other night. ken bevel: Thanks Kam. We enjoyed meet- ing you and your wife and we definitely enjoyed the conversation. kW: What interested you in “Courageous?” kb: There are two things that drew my inter- est. The first was my conviction to the mes- sages told by Sherwood Pictures. In each of the four films they’ve done, the Sherwood Pictures team handles with care the weighty issues of honesty, integrity, marriage and fatherhood. As these topics are addressed through the silver screen, I have seen lives changed and families restored. So, seeing the fruit of the movies drew me more than anything. The second is the topic, father- hood. There are many men who deeply desire to be a man of integrity upon whom their children can look to for guidance, instruction, affirma- tion and love. However, due to a lack of wise coun- sel, many are stray- ing from the path of true fatherhood and settling for good instead of great. As a man, I long to be a part of the solution that will assist men in being the fathers they were designed to be. Marine Captain-Turned- Pastor/Actor reflects on fatherhood, family and his new film kam Williams: Hi Ken, thanks for the interview. It was great meeting you Julie, Page 6 The Portland Skanner october 12, 2011 kW: Tell me a little about your character, Nathan Hayes? kb: Nathan Hayes is a man most of us would consider a “good” man. He is a hard- working African American male, with a beautiful wife and three wonderful children. Although his life may seem picturesque ini- tially, his earlier years were filled with iden- tity struggles, violence and doubt due in part to the absence of a father. However, through the assistance of a mentor, William Barrett, Nathan was able to learn what it means to be a man. While the presence of a mentor helped his belief in God and person- al growth, he believed there was more to being a father and was willing to seek after it. kW: Are there any parallels between Nathan’s life and your own? kb: Very much so. I see myself in the same light as Nathan Hayes. I too grew up with my father being absent from our home for many years. As a result of the lack of affirmation and encouragement, I grew up doubting myself as a young man and strug- gling to understand how to deal with the issues of life. kW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier would like to know: What message you want peo- ple to take away from the movie? kb: The message I pray people walk away with is one of hope and the ability to understand “failure is not final.” As fathers and parents, each of us has missed the mark in one way or another. We have provided incorrect advice, scorned our children excessively or crushed their spirits. This is not the end. Our children still need us for encouragement, instruction and for the greatest commodity, love. So our approach should not be as one who withdraws him or herself from their lives. We should be will- ing to ask for forgiveness and earn their trust through intentionally rebuilding the relationship. kW: She also asks: What interested you in acting after serving in the Marine Corps? kb: I wanted to act because I was excited about the impact the Sherwood Movies were having on my life and countless oth- ers. Read the rest of this story online at www.theskanner.com
