Harrison Eid - Director
Harrison (or "Hap") has been around individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) his whole life. Having an older brother on the Autistic Spectrum and worked as a Paraeducator for a student with Down Syndrome, he is familiar with doing life alongside those of varying abilities. This journey has grown in him a longing to see all image bearers find places of belonging in the Church.
His passions for ministry and theology drove him to complete a B.A. in Religion at Baylor University and an M.A. in Religion at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. After years of work in video production he wanted to combine his experiences in film, theology, the Church, and disability to create a documentary that would present a renewed vision for what it means for those with IDDs to truly belong in congregations and the broader community.
He is actively involved in his church, All Saints Anglican Church, in Amesbury, Massachusetts where he lives and runs his video production company, Heathland Creative LLC. Through Heathland Creative he has produced work for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Gordon College, The Veritas Forum, Providence Hospital, The Anglican Diocese of New England, and more.
Will Aker - Producer
Will is a video producer, film director and cinematographer based in Texas. Through his production company, Willow Film Company, he works to partner with brands, non-profits, organizations, and various production companies around the world to tell their story in a cinematic and emotional way. With each project he works on, he uses his experience and knowledge of storytelling and cinematography to move each audience that views his films.
Will specializes in telling real-life stories. With a unique documentary style approach using personal and unique details, he has captured dozens of stories with the end in mind of connection and inspiration. His intentional personality and deep-thinking mindset allows him to bring a fresh and insightful perspective to the screen. No matter what project he works on, he gives it his all and sees projects through to success.
Will is excited to play a role in this project and tell the story of what connection with each other and with God can look like for the cognitively disabled. You can view more of Will’s work on his website; www.willowfilmco.com
Renzo Meza – Theological Consultant
Renzo is a poet, theologian, pastoral intern, and currently works as a live-in Personal Care Aide (PCA) for Doug, a 56-year-old man with Down Syndrome. He felt called to serve Doug, in large part, through theologian John Swinton’s writings on spirituality, health, and disability. His work with Doug has led to reflection on the relationship between those living with cognitive disabilities and the western church and how that relationship can be improved.
While his initial undergraduate focus was in mechanical engineering, he felt led to pursue theological studies after his junior year, subsequently completing his B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Alliance University and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Renzo currently serves and attends Center Church in Peabody, Massachusetts. He’s also recently partnered with Mygration Christian Conference in their mission to explore God’s heart through stories of migration. He desires to be a bridge between academia, the public square, and the local church on matters of disability, art and theology, migration, and discipleship.
