Alumni Highlight: Noah von Engelhardt
Meet Noah von Engelhardt
Noah von Engelhardt, a 2018 graduate of Brook Hill’s Upper School, went on to attend Baylor University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts as a University Scholar with concentrations in filmmaking and literature, along with a secondary degree in philosophy.
Following his graduation in 2023, Noah felt called by God to pursue ministry. He moved to Norway to serve with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), where he launched a nonprofit filmmaking initiative called Story Revolution.
Read more to discover how Noah is using storytelling to make a global impact—and how his time at Brook Hill helped shape his journey.
The Story Behind Story Revolution
Noah’s journey began when he was just 16 and attended a lecture on the cultural impact of Hollywood and the arts. He recalls writing in his journal, “Stories are powerful.” Looking back, he reflects, “I never would have thought that this statement would set the trajectory for my life.”
At 18, Noah remembers receiving a vision from God: “Story revolution—a picture of people worshipping and glorifying Him through the stories they told and lived out as individuals, nations, and cultural groups. It was a dream I longed to see come about and to serve.”
One piece of advice that stuck with Noah came from his grandfather: “You have to get to know people.” Over the next several years, Noah says, “God led me on an eye-opening odyssey to ‘get to know people.’” He served in refugee camps in Poland and North Africa and studied in diverse academic settings across Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scotland, Greece, and Turkey. He immersed himself in global cultures and says, “I enjoyed countless museums and cultural experiences. In all, I went to 34 countries. I saw the world through conversations with refugees, hostel owners, fellow travelers, priests, filmmakers, and kind strangers who offered me a ride.”
As he completed his college degree, Noah titled his thesis “The Power of Storytelling,” not realizing at the time the connection to his 16-year-old journal entry about “story revolution.”
Noah sees 2024 as the year God laid the foundation for his next chapter. He Successfully completed a comprehensive Bible survey course and earned a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. Shortly after, he moved to Ålesund, Norway, to volunteer with Youth With A Mission (YWAM).
Noah is still in Ålesund, Norway, leading YWAM’s filmmaking course, which aligns perfectly with the vision of Story Revolution. Over the past year, as he built his nonprofit, he crafted Story Revolution’s mission: to encourage and empower young filmmakers to share authentic, hope-filled stories from their communities with a disillusioned world.
Q + A
Noah, let’s reflect on your time at Brook Hill. How do you feel your experience here has influenced your approach to storytelling and the art of it?
“My humanities classes with Dr. Hal Brunson and Kent Travis helped me think about my role as a storyteller. What stories did I enjoy telling and writing about? Equally important for building self-knowledge: what stories did I not enjoy? Additionally, these classes developed my critical thinking skills and my desire to see the human experience from different people’s perspectives. Today, I use these skills when reading scripts, bringing a vision to life on the screen, or having cross-cultural conversations in missions.”
That’s fantastic that you were able to connect with your role as a storyteller so early! Were there any teachers, classes, or experiences at Brook Hill that especially inspired you?
“I particularly remember my SPARC trip to D.C. with Mr. Dement. Seeing America’s history firsthand and learning about the Founding Fathers’ stories inspired me to think about my life’s impact and legacy. I want my life to be built on principles and dedicated to a cause.”
“I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT BROOK HILL’S INVESTMENT IN MY LIFE.” -NOAH VON ENGELHARDT ’18
We love that you had the opportunity to experience the Founding Fathers’ stories firsthand—and that they inspired you! How do you think Brook Hill prepared you for the path you’re on now—spiritually, academically, or creatively?
“I would not be where I am today without Brook Hill’s investment in my life. In high school, I appreciated the spiritual foundation, extracurricular opportunities, and diverse international environment at Brook Hill. After graduation, these experiences equipped me to blaze a new trail when I moved across the ocean to become a missionary. Later, when I felt God’s call to be a filmmaker, I found that Brook Hill had prepared me well to succeed in the Honors College at Baylor University—and eventually graduate with honors. I’m very grateful!”
That’s so wonderful to hear! What advice would you give to a current Brook Hill student who feels called to pursue creative work or missions?
“I remember that during my senior year at Brook Hill, everyone was asking, “What should I do with my life?!” Many of us were anxious about choosing the “wrong” path. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self: “Just try something for six months. Be creative, persevere, and don’t worry.” I believe God usually directs us as we move, rather than providing step-by-step guidance in advance. Life is truly about our relationship with Him and with others more than it is about our service or work (Matt. 22:36–40; John 15:15).
Secondly, I would urge you: once you’ve identified your God-given passion (and that may take years), fight to impact the world through it! I’ve been a missionary-filmmaker for a couple of years—longer, if you count my years of university training. I’ve seriously considered giving up on the whole endeavor multiple times. I’ve pushed through months of discouragement. But every time I’ve come to the end of myself, the Lord has encouraged me. My conviction for the vision He gave me—to see Western culture impacted through authentic, hope-driven stories—has only deepened.
There is no set path for what I do, no corporate ladder to climb. I don’t receive a salary. I depend on God to provide through the generosity of others (and when film equipment costs as much as a new car, that’s a lot of generosity!). But it’s a privilege to fight for a future I believe in and to partner with others who believe in it too.
So, I encourage you: fight for your God-given passion or calling—even when the beginning is small, the path is unclear, you stand alone, or you feel misunderstood. Take heart in these words: “Do not despise the day of small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10). And remember: God will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6). He is the Good Shepherd (Ps. 23)!”
That’s such great advice—thank you for sharing it! We’d love to hear more about the film you directed during your time at Baylor. Could you tell us more about that experience?
