Champions in Faith is a television show created by Lisa Valianti O'Brien to have a venue to personally interview, or to interview those who know about, the many spiritual champions who have been, or who are presently living in our midst.
The Pilot episode of Champions in Faith - The Children of Fatima, co-produced with Lori Barrus aired internationally on EWTN, and then nationally and in Canada with EWTN, during the notorious month of October coinciding with the special hundredth anniversary of the apparitions of Our Blessed Mother in Fatima, Portugal.
CHAMPIONS IN FAITH
PRODUCTION CREW
Lisa Valianti O’Brien
Executive Producer/Host
Lisa Valianti O’Brien has been a freelance journalist for more than thirty years. As both writer and contributor, her work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic online, North Bridge magazine, Northwest Life magazine as well as numerous Community Newspaper Company publications in the state of Massachusetts. The journalist’s guests have included artists, musicians, athletes, and celebrity personalities including Ken Burns, Steve Carell, Chris Evans and Caroll Spinney. One of her proudest accomplishments has been contributing to The Washington Post article about Little Audrey Marie Santo. With a passion for sharing positive stories about people whose living faith, is making a difference in our world today, Lisa has expanded her work to include interviewing inspirational guests for television and radio.
Lori E Barrus
Producer / Director
Lori E Barrus is a multi-media motion video artist born and raised in Rhode Island. Lori was a pioneer in public access television back in the early 1980’s. Managing studio operations in several communities throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, Lori crafted her skills and expertise in all aspects of both live and taped television production, including producing, directing, writing, editing, graphic design and camera operations.
Along with producing films, Lori has used her talents to create a multitude of multi-media presentations. Her film legacy also includes a vast array of documentaries chronicling both Catholic pilgrimages and mission trips to Central America.
In addition to film production, Lori is also a skilled graphic designer, and currently serves as the webmaster for the website of one of the larger parishes in Massachusetts. Her work in commercial production has provided her the tools to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of advertising on both television and on the web.
Micah Christian Singer/Songwriter/Composer
The beautiful theme song to Champions in Faith was written, produced and performed by the very talented Micah Christian.
Songwriter, composer and performer Micah Christian is perhaps best known for his role as lead singer for the Sons of Serendip, the quartet that advanced all the way to the nationally televised finals on America’s Got Talent.
Micah’s interest in music was apparent at age three, when he picked up his first instrument, the drums which was followed by his taking up the piano. In middle school, Micah began his training as a vocalist, but it wasn’t until the musician’s senior year of high school, when he earned a spot as soloist performing in the Massachusetts Southeastern District Senior Choir that the soloist says he felt he had the potential to pursue a career as a musician. As a freshman at Stonehill College, Micah made a decision to follow his passion for music and for the next five years, he performed with the Cape Cod based A Cappella group Hyannis Sound.
Micah has dedicated years of his life volunteering in locations all around the world. The musician spent a year in Honduras followed by a month in Calcutta, India where he volunteered his efforts to Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.
In 2013, after graduating from Boston University with a Master of Divinity degree, he and his wife spent a year volunteering as teachers in a rural northern Peru community.
In 2014, Micah’s musical career became fast tracked with the Sons of Serendip’s success on America’s Got Talent. Most recently, the quartet received the honor of being chosen to perform at the 68th Annual Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, held at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater.
Micah graciously agreed to write, compose and perform the moving theme song for the new television program Champions in Faith, “I was looking to create an inspirational theme that would help people feel the essence of hope,” the composer relates.
A Randolph, Massachusetts native, Micah currently resides in Boston, with his wife.