Faith - Based Entertainment Meets GATE

During the preproduction phase of GATE 3, I found myself reflecting deeply on the meaning of inclusivity. Around that time, I had read an article on Faith-Based Entertainment that sparked my curiosity and challenged my thinking. It became clear to me that if GATE truly aspired to be inclusive, then it was important to intentionally invite voices that might not traditionally be represented within our space. With that in mind, I felt it would be both appropriate and meaningful to invite a leader from the Faith-Based Entertainment community to participate in GATE 3.

As I began researching the field, I came across Scott Nehring. His work and perspective stood out, and I decided to reach out to him directly. In my message, I introduced myself, explained what GATE is about, and extended an invitation for him to present at GATE 3. To my delight, he graciously accepted.

After extending the invitation, however, I must admit that I experienced a moment of hesitation. A subtle sense of regret and uncertainty surfaced—concerns about how Scott’s message might resonate with the audience, how he would relate to the broader themes of GATE, and how the audience might respond to him. These fears were rooted not in evidence, but in unfamiliarity. Fortunately, I chose not to give those doubts power, and Scott attended and presented at GATE 3 as planned.

What unfolded was a powerful affirmation of the very principle I had been contemplating. The audience loved Scott, and Scott loved GATE. His presence added richness, authenticity, and perspective to the event in a way I could not have fully anticipated. I invite you to read the email he later sent to me, which beautifully captures his experience and appreciation.

During an intermission at the event, Scott and I had the opportunity to connect more personally. He shared how much he was enjoying the event, the conversations, and the people. In that moment of openness, we both laughed and admitted that each of us had initially harbored doubts—uncertainties about whether we would truly fit into one another’s worlds. That shared honesty became a meaningful point of connection.

Inclusivity within Transformational Entertainment is not merely an abstract value or a talking point—it is a lived practice. GATE 3 reaffirmed for me that true inclusivity requires courage, curiosity, and a willingness to move beyond our assumptions. When embraced fully, it has the power to create unexpected connections, mutual respect, and profound transformation.