Ballard became more of a known quantity after the release of the movie Sound of Freedom, a dramatization of his mission in which he was played by actor Jim Caviezel. Critics of the film have argued that Ballard’s claims about his accomplishments have been “dramatically overstated or without clear documentary evidence.”
Its just used that way to make it less wordy. Like when people say "Raising money for cancer" instead of "raising money for cancer research". I always find it mildly humorous but the intent is obvious.