New film includes local family's inspiring story

Nov. 29—HIGH POINT — A local girl who died nearly 20 years ago continues to touch the lives of others.

The inspiring story of 10-year-old Erin Browning, who died in November 2004 after a courageous battle against cancer, will be featured in a new documentary about the contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns. The film, "Casting Crowns: Home By Sunday," will be released and shown in select theaters Thursday evening.

"It's unbelievably special that Erin's story is still being told," said Erin's mom, Laurie Edwards of High Point, who was interviewed for the documentary in her home last November.

"I don't care if tears are involved — having that memory come back so vividly is always a good thing, because it means she's not forgotten, and her testimony is still being remembered."

Erin's faith-filled battle against cancer inspired Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall to write the song "Praise You In This Storm," which became one of the group's most popular songs and ultimately reached No. 1 on the contemporary Christian chart.

According to Hall, who had befriended the local family after hearing of Erin's diagnosis, the song was inspired not just by Erin's faith in the midst of a storm, but by her mother's faith, as well.

"What really stuck out to me was Laurie's worship and the fact that her love for God never wavered," Hall told The High Point Enterprise in 2005, when the song was released. "That doesn't mean she didn't have her doubts, or that she wasn't confused at times, or angry or sad, but at the base of all of it, she still knew and walked with God."

Now, Erin's story — and the song she inspired — will be featured in the new documentary, which recaps the remarkable success of Casting Crowns over the past couple of decades. In the film, Hall recounts the story of how Erin and her family's steadfast faith inspired him to write "Praise You In This Storm."

Also in the film, Edwards reminisces about her daughter — who died on Nov. 1, 2004 — and how much she loved the music of Casting Crowns. Edwards' husband, Joey Edwards, and her mother, Liz Olim, also make appearances in the documentary.

"It took me back 20 years, like I was there again," Edwards says. "It's so special, because Erin's song is still a popular song — people still love it, because it means something to them — and it almost brings Erin back. It's a part of her the Lord still blesses us with, even though she's not here."

Want to see it? The only local theater showings of "Casting Crowns: Home By Sunday" will be screened at 7 p.m. Thursday at the following Triad locations: —Regal Palladium, 5830 Samet Drive, High Point. —Regal Greensboro Grande, 3205 Northline Ave., Greensboro. —The Grand 18, 5601 University Parkway, Winston-Salem. For more information about the film, visit castingcrownsmovie.com.

jtomlin@hpenews.com — 336-888-3579