‘Jesus Revolution’ captures today’s hunger for faith, says Greg Laurie: ‘People are afraid’
Pastor Greg Laurie from Harvest Christian Fellowship in California and Hawaii has been preaching and encouraging others to be closer to God for decades.
Now, he’s suddenly in the news because the new blockbuster movie, “Jesus Revolution,” covers some of his life story from the late 60’s and early 70’s.
The film is based on the book Laurie co-wrote with Ellen Vaughn, “Jesus Revolution: How God Changed an Unlikely Generation and How He Can Do It Again Today” (Baker Books, 2018) .
Fox News Digital spoke with Laurie this week as the film – released in late February – continues to garner rave reviews.
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“When director Jon Erwin approached me about making a film about the last great spiritual awakening in America, called the Jesus Revolution,” Laurie said, “I was surprised that he wanted to built around the story of my life. I was just one of many who came to faith at that time.”
He also told Fox News Digital, “Having said that, I was honored to think that my story could inspire others.”
Pastor Greg Laurie (right) is pictured with a photo from the new movie, “Jesus Revolution,” which is based on his book about his spiritual journey in the 60s and 70s. (Dan Anderson/Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
Here’s more from Fox News Digital’s original interview with Laurie about the film, his faith – and the greater meaning for all who struggle today.
‘Hopefully my story will inspire young people’
Fox News Digital: Tell us more about what it means to you personally to have your story made into a film. As we all know, not many great ideas and stories ever make it to the big screen – but this one did.
Pastor Greg Laurie: I was born out of wedlock and I did not know my biological father. My mother was an alcoholic and was married and divorced seven times.
That was a very radical story in the early 60s. Unfortunately, it is more common today.
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I hope my story will inspire young people in difficult situations to know that God can intervene in their lives and change their story.
We don’t determine what hand we’re dealt in life – but we do determine how we deal it.
Your message can be turned into a message and your test into evidence.
‘God is still in the business of changing lives’
Fox News Digital: What do you hope people will take away from the new film?
Pastor Laurie: I would hope that people will realize that God is still involved in changing lives. What happened to us 50 years ago can still happen to people today.
This film tells an honest story about God working in and through weak and ordinary people.
Joel Courtney plays Greg Laurie and Anna Grace Barlow plays his wife Cathe in the new movie, “Jesus Revolution.” The film, Pastor Greg Laurie told Fox News Digital, “tells an honest story about God working in and through flawed and ordinary people.” (Dan Anderson/Lionsgate)
Pastor Laurie (continued): Several years ago, I asked Chuck Smith, who is played in “Jesus Revolution” so powerfully by the main actor Kelsey Grammer, a question: “Will we ever see another Jesus movement?”
Chuck replied, “Greg, I’m not sure [that] we are desperate enough.”
I think we are finally desperate enough now.
“The year 2023 is so similar to the late 60’s and early 70’s when this story took place in ‘Jesus Revolution’.
We have out of control crime, drug overdoses, self harm and suicide at an all time high.
The threat of nuclear war is great.
People are afraid.
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The year 2023 is so similar to the late 60’s and early 70’s when this story took place in “Jesus Revolution”.
There is no other time in history that is more like today.
Kelsey Grammer stars as Pastor Chuck Smith in the movie “Jesus Revolution.” Greg Laurie told Fox News Digital, “I think we are finally desperate enough” in 2023 for a new spiritual awakening. (Dan Anderson/Lionsgate)
Pastor Laurie (continued): The talk of “revolution” was in the air, and we had one.
Not a political revolution, not a moral revolution – we had a “Jesus Revolution”.
It literally changed our country and the world.
“I heard stories of people praying in theaters after the movie ended.”
His influence can still be seen in the Church today. And we need another one soon!
‘Everyone seems to like a movie’
Fox News Digital: As the film continues to gain traction with audiences, what else do you feel others can learn or take from its messages?
Pastor Laurie: I would say that everyone seems to like this movie. Believers and non-believers. Old and young.
I have heard stories of people praying in theaters after the movie ended.
Pastor Greg Laurie is shown at one of his religious events in the Autumn. “Most of all,” he told Fox News Digital about his new film, “‘Jesus Revolution’ is full of hope. And that’s something we all need right now.” (Harvest Church/Pastor Greg Laurie)
Pastor Laurie (continued): People are coming to put their faith in Christ.
I have never seen anything like this in 50 years of ministry.
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Art imitates life – and in this case, life imitates art!
I hope people can see it for themselves.
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It is pleasant; it’s funny; and sometimes, it’s sad.
But above all, “Jesus Revolution” is full of hope.
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And that’s something we all need a lot more of right now.
