Satonya Ford: Telling Bold Stories the Church Won’t

A Voice from Little Rock

Satonya Ford is a filmmaker whose work pulls no punches. Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, she is the creator of the viral film series Pregnant By The Pastor, now streaming on Tubi. With a creative style she describes as “bold, in-your-face, give me your attention,” Satonya is unapologetic in her mission: to expose, correct, and deliver truth—especially within the walls of the Black church.

Her work stems from both observation and experience. Raised in a family with deep roots in ministry, she witnessed first-hand how church communities often avoid accountability for moral failings. “I didn’t want to spread gossip,” she explains, “but I did want to make a statement.” And that statement has sparked national dialogue. Her films dare to voice what many whisper about—moral corruption, hidden pregnancies, false prophecy, and spiritual manipulation.

A Filmmaking Journey Born from Transition

Satonya’s journey into the world of storytelling began in 2009, during a difficult professional transition. When the mortgage industry collapsed, she turned inward and discovered writing as a new outlet. That creative spark eventually evolved into screenwriting, directing, and producing.

The initial support for Pregnant By The Pastor came unexpectedly from the older generation of her community—many of whom saw the film’s message as long overdue. First ladies in ministry reached out in private, offering encouragement and prayers. Women who had lived through similar experiences reached out, grateful to see their lives reflected on screen. “They told me the title was their truth,” Satonya says. “And they thanked me for telling it.”

What She Writes—and Why

The themes of Satonya’s work are as intentional as they are challenging. She explores how the codes of the street sometimes creep into the church, creating destruction masked as devotion. Her goal is not to shame but to push audiences toward correction, reevaluation, and deliverance.

Her writing process is rooted in both observation and divine discernment. She identifies recurring issues the community avoids and selects the one most people are afraid to confront. Then, through prayer and fasting, she asks God to guide her storytelling. “Nearly everyone has been misled by a false prophet,” she says. “That’s why I put these messages into film.”

Her process is as much spiritual as it is creative. Her writing environment is grounded in scripture, prayer, and silence. She fasts to ensure her vision aligns with the assignment she believes God has given her. “I don't just want to write a story,” she says. “I want to deliver a message.”

Bold Titles, Big Conversations

The Pregnant By The Pastor series is more than just a provocative title—it’s a full-on challenge to the culture of silence that surrounds misconduct in spiritual spaces. Satonya’s films don’t offer easy answers or perfect characters. Instead, they reflect the complexities of real people caught in the friction between faith and failure.

“I don’t write to entertain,” she says. “I write to correct.” Her characters mirror real struggles—spiritual abuse, deception, secrecy—and her plots unfold in ways that demand the viewer ask difficult questions about their own communities and their own beliefs.

A Message Meant for the Masses

Satonya’s long-term goal is to build an audience that grows with her work. With each new film, she aims to confront a new layer of silence and denial within Black religious spaces. Her upcoming project, Pregnant By The Pastor 3, continues this journey.

Inspired by directors like Spike Lee and stories rooted in the Black community, she’s unafraid to ask: what are we hiding, and why? She believes healing begins with naming the wound—and her films do just that.

Advice for Aspiring Creators

To new creatives, Satonya offers both honesty and encouragement. “The hardest part of writing,” she says, “is making time to do it. The hardest part of producing is finding the right fit. The hardest part of directing is getting people to see your vision.”

Her advice: find your people. Communicate clearly. Stay grounded. And above all, remain obedient to your vision, even when others don’t see it.

A New Generation of Faith-Fueled Filmmaking

Satonya Ford is redefining what it means to be a Christian filmmaker. Her stories are not quiet devotionals or sanitized tales of redemption. They’re raw, reflective, and real. And that’s exactly the point.

She isn’t here to protect reputations—she’s here to tell the truth. Her films aren’t for shock value—they’re for spiritual clarity. Her voice is clear, her vision is focused, and her mission is unwavering: to use storytelling to deliver correction, healing, and hope.

And she’s only getting started.