ANDREW CHRISTJOY
Dr. Andrew Christjoy, PhD
Academic, Musician, Filmmaker
Like the four tines of a fork that lift food for sustenance, I believe the Lord has called me to serve him in four key areas to lift people up around me to help them find purpose, joy, and salvation in Jesus. My greatest desire is to glorify God in all that I do. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 37:4 which states, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." As I look around my life, I see that he has done just that.
Academia - As an instructor, I teach undergraduates in the Department of Communication & Journalism and cadets at the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership. I am an Organizational Communication scholar with a research focus on resilience for individuals, organizations, and communities through empirical research strategies and the production of heroic narratives. Using hermeneutic phenomenology, my dissertation project was a multi-modal endeavor that included both the traditional written document and full-length documentary film that analyze the strategies to bolster the conditions of resilience of one church in small town America against the backdrop of the declining church as an institution in the United States. The findings offer tangible techniques to reinvigorate congregations in the traditional rural and suburban settings where populations and resources may be limited. Academic Page
Music - My debut album of original songs entitled Redemption debuted April 5th on Easter Sunday with a country music collection of songs blending romance, humor, faith, and joy. I'm currently booking performances to promote the album and showcase new songs for my next album already in the works.
Once a month, I lead worship at our country church in central Texas and fill in as a musician at my childhood church in Dallas from time to time. Worshiping the Lord and singing praises is a key way we can choose to bolster resilience as a family of believers. One of my main callings from God is to bring the joy, hope, and salvation of Jesus Christ by worshiping him in both good times and bad. Music Page
Filmmaking - I am an award-winning filmmaker with two films in distribution and available on various platforms. Let There Be Zombies premiered to a sold-out crowd of over 800 fans at the historic Landmark Theater in Dallas and is distributed by Gravitas Ventures. Prepper premiered to a crowd of over 500 at the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas and is distributed by Global Digital Releasing. The Resilient Church, my dissertation film to obtain my PhD, screened in twelve festivals and won eight awards including Best Faith Documentary at the Cowpokes International Film Festival and the Award of Merit at the Impact Docs Awards. It is now available to watch online. Film Page
Church - I am a member of our local church and attend each Sunday, participating in worship, Sunday school, fellowship, and service activities. Along with leading music once a month, I use my background in media as a platform to contribute to my church family and the community. My calling is to prepare individuals and Christians to be active in their local church to grow as disciples of Christ and prepare for challenging times ahead.
At the core of who I am is a joyful follower of Jesus Christ. Since I was a kid, I loved the Lord and was involved with church. But just like all the rest of us who accept the gift, I am a broken sinner who has been transformed by the redemptive healing power of Jesus.