Actor Johnathan Roumie plays revivalist Lonnie Frisbee in the new movie “Jesus Revolution.” Despite his increased influence and popularity, he says he’s committed to finishing the race well and picking up his cross every day.
For three seasons, Roumie has played Jesus in the history-making series “The Chosen.” At the 30th annual Movieguide Awards, the actor discussed why he’ll keep looking to God amid his massive success. On the red carpet, Roumie told The Christian Post, “At the end of the day, the title isn’t important. My title isn’t important. None of it matters.”
He continued, “What matters is that people know that God is love and mercy and compassion. And there’s always more room for people to know and discover who He is and how He can radically and profoundly change their lives if they give Him a chance to do so.”
“Jesus Revolution,” now showing in theaters nationwide, was inspired by the story of the spiritual awakening in Southern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In collaboration with Lionsgate, the film was directed by filmmakers Brent McCorkle and Jon Erwin and produced by Kevin Downes.
In the film, Pastor Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, best known for leading Harvest Christian Fellowship, signify a young, wayward generation that was lost. However, after meeting Lonnie Frisbee, a charming hippie street preacher played by Roumie, this group finds themselves at Pastor Chuck Smith’s church, which started this generation’s Jesus movement.
Despite Frisbee’s significant leadership and influence during the Jesus movement and later Vineyard Church in Yorba Linda, Frisbee struggled with drug use, faith, and homosexuality. He would eventually die from AIDS at 43. Roumie said that following Jesus until the end is the only practical solution when asked how he would finish his Christian race. Roumie said, “I think picking up your cross is not an easy task, but it’s the only worthwhile task at the end of the day.”
He added, “When we all depart from this Earth and meet our Maker, hopefully, we’re going to be responsible for the lives that we lead while we were here on Earth. How we treated each other and the respect we gave each other and the people around us.”
“I think committing to excellence in life affects every area of life, not just your family relationships but work, career, the whole thing.” Along with Roumie, “Jesus Revolution” stars five-time Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer, Joel Courtney (“Super 8”), Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“According to Jim”), Anna Grace Barlow and Nicholas Cirillo.
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