The True Story Behind 'A Great Awakening' | Cast & Director Interview

America’s First Spiritual Awakening

Before there was an American Revolution, there was a spiritual revolution.

That is the forgotten truth at the heart of A Great Awakening, a powerful new film that tells the story of America’s first great spiritual awakening— a pivotal event in the establishment of the United States of America long before it even declared independence. While history books often highlight political figures and military victories, this film draws attention to the spiritual movement that preceded them.

The first great awakening began around 1739 and lasted roughly 30 years. This was not a momentary surge of religious enthusiasm, but a deep cultural and moral transformation. People learned self-governance not through laws, but through changed hearts. In our interview together, director Joshua Enck described it as “ a complete cultural overhaul” led men like Reverend George Whitfield, who partnered with Benjamin Franklin. It is quite a story, brought to life in this new film releasing April 3. 

George Whitefield and Ben Franklin in Their Time

At the center of this awakening was a man most Americans have never heard of today: George Whitefield.

Jonathan Blair, who plays George Whitefield, also joined me for this interview. He described Whitefield as “The first known celebrity throughout the entire colonies. He was the first unifying force throughout the colonies.” 

George Whitefield was the most famous person in the American colonies—arguably more well known than Benjamin Franklin. He was an English preacher with a powerful voice and a passion for Christ. He delivered the gospel with urgency and compassion.

Whitefield preached to slaves and treated them as equals before God. He founded orphanages. And he even rebuked colonies for their cruelty toward slaves and for keeping the gospel from them. 

Jonathan said, “I feel like Whitfield represents a man who was searching for truth and then found it in the person of Jesus Christ. And Ben Franklin represents the other side, which is: I’m searching for truth, but I don’t know if that really is it.”

An Unlikely Friendship

A Great Awakening explores the remarkable relationship between George Whitefield, a powerful evangelist, and Benjamin Franklin, a  prolific communicator. 

Though very different men, they shared a deep and lasting friendship. Franklin printed Whitefield’s sermons and defended him publicly—even while remaining cautious about fully embracing his own faith.

Revival Before Revolution

One of the most striking insights highlighted in this film is this: America did not wake up on July 4, 1776, suddenly ready for self-rule. The groundwork had been laid over decades of spiritual renewal.

This revival unified the colonies in a way nothing else had before. George Whitefield was heard by the majority of colonists, creating the first truly shared experience across regions that had previously operated independently.

Why ‘A Great Awaking’ Matters 

 One movie that really moved me profoundly when I was a kid was Ben-Hur. I had no church background but, looking back, that film set things in motion for my response to the gospel. 

 I saw cinematic Jesus and wished I could know that Jesus. But I thought “He’s just a figure in a film.” I soon came to realize: People have a relationship with this same Jesus in real life. And I wondered if that was really possible.

That is the power of film. Imagine the power of this one, which has sermon material in it. Who knows what God could do with it?

Joshua talked about the power of art, “ I think there’s an anointing and a power happening right now with the storytellers. . . Let’s get out there with films and banners and songs and anthems that change the world because of the message of the love of Christ.”

It is a powerful combination to have a beautiful, watchable production with the gospel in it. And I think A Great Awakening accomplishes this.

I pray God blesses this film. Let’s see what the Lord will do with it, because the fame of revival often spreads the flame of revival.

Get the rest of my interview with Jonathan Blair and Joshua Enck!