Producer John Shepherd on Sarah’s Oil and the Remarkable True Story of Faith and Fortune

Producer John Shepherd (The Ultimate Gift, Bella, Emmanuel) joins host Michael Foust to discuss Sarah’s Oil — a powerful new faith-based film inspired by the true story of Sarah Rector, one of America’s first Black millionaires. Shepherd shares how faith, perseverance, and divine purpose shaped this remarkable story of a young girl in early 1900s Oklahoma who struck oil and changed history. Discover how Sarah’s Oil reminds us to use our God-given gifts, dig deeper into our purpose, and trust God’s plan even when the world calls it “impossible.”

Highlights

• Sarah’s Oil tells the true story of Sarah Rector, an 11-year-old girl whose faith led her to one of the most inspiring rags-to-riches stories in American history.

• John Shepherd shares how faith and determination drive success — both in filmmaking and in life.

• The film explores themes of perseverance, community, and divine purpose amid racism and greed.

• How true stories rooted in faith have the power to inspire change and strengthen belief.

• Behind-the-scenes insight into working with the Rector family and honoring Sarah’s legacy.

• Why today’s faith-based entertainment renaissance is raising the bar for storytelling and production.

• Shepherd’s personal reflection on Billy Graham’s influence and how faith continues to shape his filmmaking journey.

Join the Conversation

What’s a true story that strengthened your faith or inspired you to chase your God-given purpose? Share your thoughts with us on social media using #CrosswalkTalk and #LifeAudioPodcast — we’d love to hear your story!

Resources & Links

• 🎥 Watch Sarah’s Oil (Official Movie Website / Coming Soon)

• 📖 Read Searching for Sarah Rector by Tanya Bolden

• 🎬 Explore more of John Shepherd’s films: The Ultimate Gift, Bella, Emmanuel, The Dropbox

• 🔗 Find more inspiring interviews at LifeAudio.com

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