Two Kolstad Media crew members reviewing footage together on set

Selected Work & Client Voices

Missions Moved Forward

See the films, hear directly from the teams we serve, and understand how each story was built for a real moment in the mission.

50+

Films created every year

40+

Organizations served

$3M+

Raised in campaigns our films supported

Since 2019

Serving mission-led teams

Client Voices

What It Feels Like to Work Together

From our clients’ written case-study responses.

“The combination of inspiring storytelling via media and in-person opportunities was electric!”

Westside is Caleb Kolstad's home church, where he also serves on staff. Lead Pastor Gabe Kolstad is his father.

Gabe Kolstad

Lead Pastor, Westside Community Church

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“On our most recent project video, my most memorable moment was when I was previewing the video for final edits, and I felt so transported into the moment that I literally started crying at my desk”

Shawn Mitchell

Executive Director, Catalyst Partnerships NW

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“I honestly never worried about the coverage. I work with a lot of different types of vendors and Caleb is easily one of the most professional and easy to work with individuals I contract. He delivers what he promises with confidence and the quality is outstanding. I know if there were an issue, Caleb would handle it with integrity.”

Heather Rainey

Program and Operations Manager, Portland Seminary

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Case Studies

Stories of Growth & Impact

Real projects, real constraints, and client words in context. Watch the work and see how each story was built to serve the mission.

Westside Community Church

Aloha / Beaverton, OR

Mission Films & Building Campaign

Real Project Proof

Watch The Time Is Now

Each case study is grounded in real client work, real production constraints, and real ministry outcomes.

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The Challenge

Westside had an opportunity to move into a nearby building that would double its capacity. Pastor Gabe Kolstad needed to bring a scattered story together so the congregation could see the vision he was seeing.

Our Approach

The Time Is Now mission film and its Legacy companion supported the building campaign alongside walkthroughs and gatherings in the new space. Gabe noticed unity and shared enthusiasm. Within the first few weeks, the wider campaign had commitments for about half of its $750,000 goal, as he reported on September 9, 2026. Those commitments are not funds received or revenue attributed to the films.

How the Work Served

Campaign Goal

$750,000

Early Commitments Toward Goal

About Half

Gabe's Observation

Shared Vision

“The combination of inspiring storytelling via media and in-person opportunities was electric!”

Gabe Kolstad, Lead Pastor, Westside Community Church

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Westside is Caleb's home church, where he serves on staff. Gabe is his father.

Alive Church

Portland, OR

Mission Film & Capital Campaign

Real Project Proof

Watch the mission film

Each case study is grounded in real client work, real production constraints, and real ministry outcomes.

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The Challenge

Alive Church needed to rally their congregation around a bold vision: purchasing their own building. They needed more than a fundraising pitch. They needed a story that made people feel the weight and excitement of what God was doing.

Our Approach

We produced a mission film that captured the heart of Alive Church: the lives being changed, the community being built, and the vision for what a permanent home would mean. The film became the centerpiece of their capital campaign, giving Pastor Abraham Escobar a powerful tool to cast vision beyond Sunday mornings.

How the Work Served

Capital Campaign Centerpiece

Building Fund

Primary Audience

Congregation

Story Purpose

Vision Casting

“Kolstad media was easy to work with, attention to detail and very dedicated to their craft. Caleb took down lots of notes behind the heart of our project, Boyd was friendly, professional and open to ideas and the whole team did a great job!”

Abraham Carlos Escobar, Pastor of Alive Church

Compassion First

Oregon

Campaign Film & Fundraising

Real Project Proof

Watch the campaign film

Each case study is grounded in real client work, real production constraints, and real ministry outcomes.

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The Challenge

Compassion First serves some of the most vulnerable families in the community. Their Christmas campaign needed to cut through the noise of holiday giving fatigue and move donors to generosity in a deeply personal way.

Our Approach

We created a film that brought donors face-to-face with the real families being served, not statistics, but names, faces, and stories of transformation. The film premiered at their Christmas event and was distributed across email, social, and in-person touchpoints throughout the campaign.

How the Work Served

Campaign Role

Centerpiece

Distribution

Multi-Channel

Story Focus

Human

The film gave the campaign one clear, human story to carry across the live event, email, and social channels.

Catalyst Northwest

Portland Metro, OR

Mission Films & Fundraising

Real Project Proof

Watch the Namba project film

Each case study is grounded in real client work, real production constraints, and real ministry outcomes.

Click the frame to play

The Challenge

Catalyst wanted to share its home repair work and help people get involved, but limited technical skills and storyboarding held its in-house videos back. Shawn Mitchell worried about the cost of professional films and wondered whether what they already had was good enough.

Our Approach

We made project films together that Catalyst now uses to support fundraising and inspire people to get involved. Shawn says viewers often cry because of the meaningful stories and the quality of the films. While reviewing the latest project for final edits, he found himself crying at his desk.

How the Work Served

Fundraising

Visual Aids

Invitation

Get Involved

Shawn's Verdict

Worth It

“I felt so transported into the moment that I literally started crying at my desk”

Shawn Mitchell, Executive Director, Catalyst Partnerships NW

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Portland Seminary

Portland, OR

Event Photography & Content

The Challenge

Portland Seminary wanted candid event coverage alongside traditional commencement portraits. At first, they split the work between Kolstad Media and a larger photography company. After that company's proofs came back with a green tinge, Heather Rainey's team chose to move the full day to us.

Our Approach

We planned the coverage with Heather before graduation day, answering questions and agreeing on expectations in advance. Our team handled portraits and event photography across both ceremonies so her team could focus on hosting. Heather said the biggest difference was the mental load lifted, including space to actually eat lunch.

How the Work Served

Ceremonies

Two

Team's Event Day

9am–7pm

Mental Load

Lifted

“It's less about the actual time saved and more about the mental load that is lifted. It's one aspect of the day that I know I don't have to worry about.”

Heather Rainey, Portland Seminary

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