Did you catch the premier of 24 tonight? What?!!! Not a 24 fan? That’s ok. There are many unreached people in the world. (I’m joking! Please don’t write me to say I’m taking away from the seriousness of the unreached! It was a joke! :-) ) Anyway, even Jack is getting involved in mission work! The two-hour “teaser” movie in November placed him in an imaginary land called “Sangala.” I figure they grabbed the ending sound of “Kampala,” used the opening “s” sound to remind us of Sudan, and then incorporated themes from all 3 nations — Rwanda, Uganda, and Sudan. See the 24 wiki at
http://24.wikia.com/wiki/Sangala
But no matter where “Sangala” is, the point is — Jack was there, doing, of all things, mission 
work. Tonight’s kick-off of 24‘s *7th* season even featured tangible ways that viewers could get involved… including
If you’re a fan, be sure to catch Kiefer in the feature video at
http://www.malarianomore.org/news/features/24.php
It seems to me that… celebrities do some pretty crazy things these days (can anybody say “Britney Spears?”). Kiefer Sutherland himself (the guy who plays Jack Bauer in 24) was arrested in September, 2007, for Driving Under the Influence (of alcohol). Fans were floored when he pleaded no contest, then insisted that he serve his entire 48 days of jail time in a “normal” jail cell. I’m not suggesting that “Jack Bauer got religion.” What I *am* saying is that it’s good to see a superstar use his celebrity influence for a cause that addresses a true global concern — instead of publicly flaunting his riches publicly for something ridiculous.
24 continues its global theme in this new season by examining how involved the USA will become in a genocide in Africa, even though it’s on the other side of the world (not unlike what’s been happening in Sudan). Events are occurring in real time.
Many governments around the world already suspect various intelligence communities of using “missions” work as a cover for more sinister plots to subvert their governments and/or national sovereignty. I wonder if Keifer Sutherland is really doing us a favor, after all it was shown on TV from the US so that must be what they do in the real world…
Sangala sounds more like a take-off on Shangrila.
Hi Daniel. rational fear… but not necessary in this case. In the story in november, he went to African to *escape* having to fight terrorists. He was working for an orphanage doing the real thing. No spying whatsoever. The US government had to come over and pull him back by force to get him involved.
Good point Doug!
Really?? Was Jack Bauer really preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ cross-culturally (the definition of “missions” as I understand it)? Or was he merely doing humanitarian work? I suspect the latter is actually the case, based on the fact that in my lifetime I never saw one person preach the gospel of Jesus Christ on a network television fiction program.
Hello “Anonymous” — and yes… you’re right… by saying he was doing “mission work”, I was using the broadest term of “missions”… but in favor of my use is definition #6 at dictionary.com:
“a group of persons sent by a church to carry on religious work, esp. evangelization in foreign lands, and often to establish schools, hospitals, etc.”
So – – sorry… wasn’t trying to imply that Jack Bauer had become a preacher. But using this #6 definition, I stick to my guns… he was doing mission work.
Either way, thanks for your feedback!
Doug
I just heard Josh McDowell speak and he said 24 was his favorite show. Just so you know :)
I’ve seen a bit of 24 and I remember it being rather violent. I think Jack represents some good qualities in that he makes a lot of sacrifices for what he believes in but the show as a whole isn’t really something to look up to as Christians. Surely we have better examples to promote. Perhaps that’s why anonymous was a bit forceful in his/her rejection of this tv show as an example of “good works”?
Do you really think 24 is violent? (kidding) Well I agree that he’s violent. And I don’t like it that he cusses. And he had a hard time being a great husband and perhaps an even harder time being a good dad. But… back to the original point of the January 11th item (“Even Jack Bauer Gets Involved”), if you’ll look again, I wasn’t really trying to talk people into holding him up as an idol. Instead, I was just pointing out that… here was a show that has consistently landed at or near the top of the ratings chart (currently 14th for live viewing, and 3rd-most-watched for DVR viewing; in fact, the *reruns* for 24 consistently out-show most *first-runs* for other shows), and the show was acting as a pulpit to showcase global issues like …
*** Child slavery
*** Violence toward children
*** Malaria
*** Genocide
*** The impact of political machines on the lives of needy people
*** The impact of political actions by the USA on developing countries
*** The misunderstandings brought about by culture, race, religion, and cross-cultural communication
*** The complexity of standing up for right and wrong on an international stage
*** The difficulty of knowing how to handle international political incidents, along with the way those incidents can affect real people.
*** the list goes on and on.
Few other shows… dare I say *no* other top-20 shows touch those themes — which are so relevant to Brigada’s audience. Take a look at the rest of the offerings. They vary anywhere from desperate housewives all the way through people trying to learn how to sing.
So although Jack might not be perfect (nor am I), the *show* and Jack’s *character* are having to deal with Brigada-relevant stuff sometimes.
That’s all I meant to say.
Doug