Coffee House Writers

Top Menu

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Article Categories
    • Creativity
    • Culture
    • Design
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Fiction
    • Food
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Home
    • Lifestyle
    • Media
    • Memories
    • Music
    • Nonfiction
    • Poetry
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Sports
    • Style
    • Technology
    • Travel
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Founder
  • Meet Our Admin
    • Chief Editors
    • Editors
    • Poetry Editors
    • Advertising Team
    • Recruiting Team
    • Book Club
  • Testimonials
  • Apply
  • Login

logo

Coffee House Writers

  • Home
  • Article Categories
    • Creativity
    • Culture
    • Design
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Fiction
    • Food
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Home
    • Lifestyle
    • Media
    • Memories
    • Music
    • Nonfiction
    • Poetry
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Sports
    • Style
    • Technology
    • Travel
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Founder
  • Meet Our Admin
    • Chief Editors
    • Editors
    • Poetry Editors
    • Advertising Team
    • Recruiting Team
    • Book Club
  • Testimonials
  • Apply
  • Login
  • Ma Millie-3

  • Blooming

  • The Fool

  • Enigma

  • Why an Amazing Choir Director Absolutely Changes the World

  • Mr. Keith’s House – Part IV

  • Facing Old Foes 

  • Same Day, Different Universe – 3

  • Hope

  • Crescent Moons Part 31

  • The North Wind – Part 6

  • Emily Part II

  • Roaring Pageant Murders: Part Three

  • Part 2: They Came For Munchies

  • How to Self-Edit

  • My Freedom, Mon Amor

  • Arvid, Chapter 2

  • The Untouchable and Invisible World

  • The Mystery of Cash Castle: Part 10

  • Like A Naked Branch

  • The radiance on his face

  • Pillows

  • 5 Benefits of Touch

  • CRESCENT MOONS PART 30

  • Stone Walls

  • 2023: Year Of Dreams

  • Same Day Different Universe – Part 2

  • Monrovia

  • Circle of a Day

  • The Mystery of Cash Castle: Part 9

MediaCreativityFamilyRelationshipsMemoriesHomeEntertainmentLifestyleCultureNonfiction
Home›Media›The Story Behind “My Brothers’ Crossing”

The Story Behind “My Brothers’ Crossing”

By Shelley Estes-Loy
September 7, 2020
2545
0
Share:
Cover of the Brothers' Crossing movie.
Used with the permission from J.T. Clark

Warning: Spoilers Ahead

The Power of Forgiveness

One of the best examples of forgiveness is coming to a theater near you. The theatrical release of My Brothers’ Crossing debuts on September 3, 2020. The true story takes place in remote Southwest Virginia and contains a compelling message about forgiveness.

After a fatal accident on August 21, 2015, two men confront a tragedy that changes their lives:

  • C.J. Martin drove the vehicle that killed Bobby and Pam Clark.
  • J.T. Clark was Bobby’s brother.

The Book

My Brother's Crossing
Available at
My Brother’s Crossing
Amazon or Barnes & Noble

In 2018, J.T. Clark and his wife, Terri, wrote the book behind the movie, In the Blink of an Eye: Forgiveness in Black and White. Here is the book trailer.

My Brothers' Crossing

Terri Lee & J.T.

The Cast

In the film, James Black plays C.J. Martin, and Daniel Roebuck plays J.T. Clark. Locals play smaller roles. J.T. Clark plays a firefighter in the movie.

The Accident

After attending a T.R.A.S.H. service (Totally Redeemed Anointed Servants of the Most High), Bobby and Pam Clark said goodbye to their friends. They hopped on the motorcycle that Pam had given Bobby for his 50th birthday and headed for home.

My Brothers' Crossing

Pam and Bobby Clark

C.J. Martin, a local pastor, attended his son’s high school football game that evening. After the game, he got in his truck to drive his son home.

Martin met an ambulance on fire and had to detour. He turned into the wrong lane, saw a motorcycle coming, and tried to correct his error. Simultaneously, the couple on the motorcycle saw him coming and tried to get out of the way. The couple swerved too hard, throwing them off the motorcycle and under the wheels of Martin’s truck.

Filmed on location, the movie takes place on the same roadway, at the same funeral home, in the same churches, and in the same courtroom. The funeral home said Bobby and Pam Clark were wonderful people. They lived to serve God and love on his people.

I asked J.T. Clark how he felt reenacting this painful part of his life.

It was cathartic in the best sense. It was difficult, but sometimes you have to go through pain to get to the other side. What people see on the screen is an accurate representation of what took place.

J.T. Clark

Character Perceptions

The story transpires during a period of riots and racial hate crimes, similar to today. Complicating the tragedy, Martin was African-American, and the Clarks were Caucasian. While Martin tormented himself over the deaths he caused, two questions haunted him. Would people react with misplaced hate over the color of his skin? Would prejudice affect the outcome?

James Black plays Martin in the movie. Black understands why Martin assumed the entire world was against him. “There’s a wall you put up. A cage you put yourself in.” Black identified with Martin’s fears of retaliation and prejudice.

My Brothers' Crossing

J.T. & Martin with their wives & mothers

Daniel Roebuck plays J.T. Clark in the film. Unlike Black, Roebuck didn’t feel the accident, and the ensuing trial had anything to do with race. To him, it was about an angry brother’s mental turmoil between justice and forgiveness. “J.T. was mad because someone killed his brother. He wasn’t mad because a black guy killed his brother.”

Robin Quesinberry, Bobby and Pam Clark’s daughter, called Martin two days after the accident and moved toward forgiveness. Then, she invited his family to dinner two weeks later. She knew her parent’s deaths had been an accident. When the media was harsh toward Martin, she replied in support. “This was not any kind of malicious act. If you have anything to say about Mr. Martin, just let it be a prayer for him and his family.”

Transformation

Bobby Clark’s death changed his brother. Unlike Bobby, who was a pastor, J.T. was not a spiritual man. His niece, Robin Quesinberry, set the tone, encouraging him to reconsider his misdirected anger and actions. Ultimately, he realized it was an accident, and that justice was best served by forgiveness. Roebuck said, “This (story) is about the Holy Spirit moving through a community.”

Not playing in your theater? Call them and request it.


The Outcome

After careful reflection, J.T. traveled to court to pay Martin’s fine. That act caused the judge to lessen the charge against Martin.

Later, Martin invited J.T. to his church. Filled with emotion, Martin struggled to introduce him. J.T. got up, hugged him, and said, “I gotcha brother. It’s gonna be alright.”

Now three ministry men (J.T., Martin, and Mike Price—the pastor of T.R.A.S.H.) hold Bible studies and church services together.

My Brothers'Crossing
J.T., Martin, and Mike Price

God created us as equals. Now is the time to band together as brothers and sisters. Now is the time to love and forgive.

TagsTerri Lee ClarkmovieMy Brothers' CrossingaccidentC.J. MartinIn the Blink of an EyeJames BlackBobby ClarkT.R.A.S.H.J.T. ClarkforgivenessDaniel RoebuckMike PriceFilmPam Clark
Previous Article

Local Brew: Part 3

Next Article

Opinion: I’m Pulling Away From Christianity, and ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Shelley Estes-Loy

Shelley Estes-Loy lives on a farm in rural Iowa with her husband, Jerry. She is the mother of six grown children. She obtained her BSc in Business Administration from Mt. Mercy University and has worked as a marketing director, editor, writer, and teacher. Shelley has written a language arts curriculum and a piano theory curriculum. She won a Medallion Award at the NCMPR District level for a single print ad, a Paragon Award, at the NCMPR National Level for a postcard, Admissions & Marketing Report Award for a single print ad, Eleventh Annual Admissions & Advertising Awards for a newspaper ad, Silver Medallion Award @ National Council of Marketing and Public Relations for a print ad, Editor’s Choice Award at the National Library of Poetry for a poem, and Billboard’s Certificate of Achievement for two songs. She is currently working on her first novel.

Related articles More from author

  • PoetryMemoriesRelationships

    Forgiveness

    March 2, 2020
    By Lindsey Taylor
  • doll with broken face
    FamilyEnvironmentRelationshipsHealthMemoriesHomeCulture

    Dear Dad, I Deserve Better

    May 20, 2019
    By Sarah Dowell
  • Woman in the sun and medow
    CreativityFamilyRelationshipsMemoriesEnvironmentHomeHealthEntertainmentLifestyle

    Fun Things To Do This Spring

    March 8, 2021
    By BriVee
  • http://www.indiewire.com/2017/12/the-greatest-showman-review-hugh-jackman-musical-1201906828/
    CultureMediaCreativity

    This Is The Greatest Show

    January 16, 2018
    By J.C Ballard
  • Rest In Peace
    LifestyleNonfictionEnvironmentHealthRelationshipsMemories

    Rest In Peace: You’re Loved

    January 11, 2021
    By Sarah Dowell
  • https://images.pexels.com/photos/436413/pexels-photo-436413.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940
    EnvironmentCultureMediaMemories

    “Terrifier” SUCKS

    October 8, 2018
    By Keely Messino

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You may be interested

  • CreativityFictionEntertainmentHealth

    Facing The Throne: Part 1

  • Favorite Dinosaur
    CreativityRelationshipsFictionEntertainmentRomance

    Favorite Dinosaur

  • The Beach Is Her Playground
    EnvironmentFictionPoetryMemoriesLifestyle

    The Beach Is Her Playground

Timeline

  • January 30, 2023

    Ma Millie-3

  • January 30, 2023

    Blooming

  • January 30, 2023

    The Fool

  • January 30, 2023

    Enigma

  • January 30, 2023

    Why an Amazing Choir Director Absolutely Changes the World

Latest Comments

  • The Untouchable and Invisible World, is up at Coffee House Writers Magazine  – Ivor.Plumber/Poet
    on
    January 23, 2023
    […] Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a ...

    The Untouchable and Invisible World

  • Ivor Steven
    on
    January 19, 2023
    Thank you, Derrick, for visiting my poem here at Coffee House Writers Magazine

    On Days Like These

  • COFFEE HOUSE WRITERS/POEM, By IVOR STEVEN – Ivor.Plumber/Poet
    on
    January 11, 2023
    […]   MORE FROM AUTHOR […]

    On Days Like These

  • Derrick Knight
    on
    January 10, 2023
    A beautiful tribute

    On Days Like These

  • On Days Like These, is up at Coffee House Writers Magerzine – Ivor.Plumber/Poet
    on
    January 9, 2023
    […] Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a ...

    On Days Like These

Find us on Facebook

About us

  • coffeehousewriters3@gmail.com

Follow us

© Copyright 2018-2022 Coffee House Writers. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s administrator and owner is strictly prohibited.