Jesus Camp (2006)

In the heart of Devil's Lake, North Dakota, a unique summer camp named "Kids on Fire" sparks a fervent blaze of evangelical Christianity. Jesus Camp hones in on the intense devotion and unswerving beliefs of its attendees, led by the passionate Pentecostal minister, Becky Fischer. As the camp director, she fuels the youthful zeal, guiding them with a fiery dedication towards a life laid down for God. The camp's teachings are vibrant and unapologetic, courting controversy through its parallels drawn with extremist Islamic ideologies, albeit carrying 'the right' message. The children are taught to wield their faith like a sword, to be outspoken in their beliefs and to combat perceived evils such as the Harry Potter series and abortion with fervor. They are also encouraged to breathe life into 'dead churches' and reclaim the U.S. government for Evangelical Christians. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the George W. Bush era, echoing the President's close ties with Ted Haggard, leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. As the children absorb these teachings with an almost sponge-like eagerness, their emotional reactions range from tears to promises of resisting sin. Interwoven into this gripping tableau are interviews with Fischer, the camp attendees, and others, including a homeschooling mother who ardently supports creationism. The contrast is stark when juxtaposed with the perspective of Mike Papantonio, a non-evangelical Christian radio host, who expresses his concern over Fischer's methods and the potential harm of eroding the boundary between church and state. Jesus Camp is a riveting exploration of faith, fervor, and the molding of young minds, leaving viewers with a profound question: Is this passionate religious education or a form of indoctrination?

Jesus Camp is a documentary movie featuring Becky Fischer and directed by Heidi Ewing.

Jesus Camp is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Crackle, DistroTV, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, Redbox, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on Hoopla, Hulu and realeyz.

It is also possible to buy Jesus Camp on Amazon Video, Apple TV, FlixFling, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.