MidAmerica Nazarene University students are bringing Scripture to life through an innovative new video series made possible by a grant from the American Bible Society.
The $10,000 grant funded the creation of Beyond the Bible, a short-form YouTube series designed to engage young adults with biblical concepts in creative, accessible ways. The project, led by Associate Professor Aaron Bohn, is part of a broader initiative funded by the American Bible Society and highlighted by the Religious News Service, which reported that four Christian universities received funding to explore new approaches to Scripture engagement.
Blending education and entertainment, the series features students and community actors acting out biblical themes through imaginative storytelling, including comedy sketches, a noir-style retelling of David and Goliath, and a behind-the-scenes “show within a show.” Student involvement was central at every stage—from writing and acting to cinematography and marketing.
The project also became a model of interdisciplinary learning, bringing together faculty and expertise from multiple fields. Christina Bohn, associate professor of Old Testament, helped ensure biblical accuracy, while Dr. Addison Lucchi supported grant acquisition and operational execution. Sociology professor Natalie Eick contributed puppetry elements, adding another creative dimension to the storytelling.
In total, the 18-month project involved 13 students, four alumni, eight hired actors, and five professors, reflecting a highly collaborative effort that extended beyond a single discipline. That collaboration continues as the team now conducts focus groups and prepares reports for the grantor. Watch a trailer here.
Senior digital communication major Ayla Benedict helped document the production process and promote the series online. “I shared sneak peeks that showcased all the creativity that went into bringing this film to life,” she said. “My goal was to connect the audience to the creative journey before the film premiered.”
Senior Dalton Medina served as director of photography for the project and benefited from collaborating with alumnus Josiah Crandall, a Kansas City-area filmmaker. “Working with Josiah has been amazing,” Dalton said. “I loved how we were able to bounce ideas off each other and agree on the same visual idea of what we were shooting.” From deciding where to place lights to determining camera angles, the two seemed to know what the other was thinking during filming. This experience gives the digital communication major a leg up when he hits the job market after graduation.
In addition to leading the project, Prof. Aaron Bohn served as writer, director and producer of the film. While they learned more about Scripture and fulfilled grant expectations, Bohn said the experience advanced his students’ career readiness.
“It was incredibly helpful to put everything the students are learning into practice in a professional setting,” Bohn said. “The more the production progressed, the greater the students’ confidence grew in themselves and their abilities. By the end of filming, students were ready to walk into any media job and take the lead day one.”
Filming took place across campus and in collaboration with Kansas City-area creatives, including alumni and local actors. The completed three-part series premiered in February 2026 at Cinemark Theater in Merriam, Kansas, drawing students, faculty, and community members.
The project has already gained national attention. Bohn presented the series at the National Religious Broadcasters convention, where it was nominated for Best TV Web Series.
Next, faculty and students are analyzing audience feedback and Bible engagement data, with plans to present findings at an American Bible Society innovation roundtable hosted at Dallas Theological Seminary.
As the series now reaches audiences online, MNU digital communication students continue to explore how storytelling can help a new generation see Scripture in fresh, meaningful ways. Watch the series at this link. Learn more about MNU’s digital communication major.
