Filmmaker Jason Melton opens up about his new limited docu-series Adventure in Wonder, a project that began as a family adventure and became a profound exploration of faith, trust, and what truly matters. Created for the Wonder Project, the series follows Melton and his family as they leave the security of their Texas routines behind to sail Croatia's Dalmatian coast alongside an experienced seafaring family. Now streaming exclusively on Wonder Project's subscription on Prime Video in the U.S., Adventure in Wonder captures how embracing uncertainty, slowing down, and trusting God can transform not only how families travel-but how they live.
Q: What first sparked the idea for Adventure in Wonder, and at what point did you realize this project was becoming more than just a family adventure?
I wanted our kids to get out of their comfort zones, to notice and appreciate the beauty and diversity of the world around them, to learn to take risks and to live with hearts full of gratitude, hope and love. Adventure makes our heart come alive and reminds us we are meant for more. Being able to capture on film some of that beauty and wonder, along with the rich depth of passion, knowledge and kindness of the many Croatians we met along the way led us to share the adventure in the hopes of encouraging and inspiring others.
Q: The series brings together two families with radically different lifestyles. What drew you to pairing the Melton's and the Woods, and what surprised you most about the exchange that unfolded between them?
We knew nothing about sailing and I couldn't convince my wife and kids to get on the boat with me unless we had some real pros teaching us. The Woods were real experts, were so kind when we met on zoom and had kids the same age as our kids. They also had a lot of experience sailing the Dalmatian islands of Croatia. It was so encouraging to see the kindness and respect they showed for one another despite being around each other all the time on an isolated boat.
Q: Throughout the journey, uncertainty plays a central role. How did sailing-both literally and metaphorically-shape the way you explored themes of faith, trust, and family on screen?
The Woods taught us that at sea, sailors don't have plans, they have options. There are so many things beyond our control and the key is to find the joy in any situation. When you have a strong wind, enjoy the thrill of speed. When there is no wind, enjoy the peace of the stillness. When the wind blows you where you don't want to go, embrace the beauty of the unexpected. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are available to each of us in every circumstance, when things go the way we hoped and when they don't. They are a free gift from God, the creator of all things, and he loves us so generously.
Q: As both a participant and narrator, how did you navigate telling an honest story while still being deeply inside the experience with your own family?
We lived the adventure authentically, staying present in the moment and trusting that the Lord would show us how to tie it together. It wasn't until after we returned and began piecing together the episodes that I could see the whole through line and that's when I began writing and recording the narration.
Q: Croatia's culture, history, and maritime tradition are woven into the series. Why was it important for you to include experts and local voices alongside the families' personal stories?
We hoped including many of the amazing people we met in Croatia would add a special depth to our family's experience and make the show more interesting and meaningful. There is something for everyone in Adventure In Wonder, and if we choose to have the curiosity of a child, there is so much to learn. The world is a wild, magical place full of beauty and wonder. It's meant to be explored, loved and shared.
Q: After health scares prompted your family to reprioritize what matters most, what do you hope viewers-especially families watching together-take away from Adventure in Wonder about slowing down and embracing the unknown?
We are surrounded by a million little miracles every day if we just take the time to notice. You don't have to go around the world to experience them, they are everywhere, all around us, in a public park, in our own backyard, in the night sky, within our own bodies. The key is wanting to see them and believing they are there. I have faith in God, and I see his glory everywhere. That doesn't mean hardship and pain aren't real, they are very real and we've all experienced them. But so is love, goodness and real joy. That's what I hoped we would experience on this adventure, and in so many ways, we did.
Adventure in Wonder is executive produced and created by Jason Melton (Full Life Films),
Jeremy John Wells (Vertero Films), and Lukas Behnken (Sterling Light Productions).
Melton also serves as co-writer and narrator, Behnken serves as producer, and Wells serves as writer, producer, and director of the series.
Adventure in Wonder made its debut on Dec. 28, 2025, exclusively on Wonder Project's subscription on Prime Video in the U.S.
