Actor David A.R. White has graced the big screen in films like “God’s Not Dead” and “Nothing Is Impossible,” but White has done far more than merely act and produce.
Listen to the latest episode of CBN’s Quick Start podcast 👇
He’s also the co-founder of Pure Flix, a faith and family-friendly streaming service, and he’s one of the people who has most fervently paved the way toward an influx of Christian content in Hollywood.
Pure Flix’s breakout hit was undoubtedly “God’s Not Dead,” a film with a $2 million budget that stunned the world when it made more than $60 million after its 2014 release. White, who played Rev. Dave in the original film and the resulting franchise, is now preparing to star in the fifth installment.
“God’s Not Dead: Rise Up” will focus on Rev. Dave’s run for public office amid “political, civil, and spiritual unrest” — a topic certainly primed for the times in which we live.
“Every time we do a ‘God’s Not Dead,’ we kind of go into it thinking, ‘This is the last one,’ and we never know if we’re gonna do another one,” White recently told CBN’s Faithwire. “We’re constantly surprised and humbled for the … amount of people who respond to these movies.”
White said he believes each film in the franchise has come out when the culture desperately needed the messages held within.
“Each one has come out … at a time when our culture needed to see that message,” he said. “And … I’m honored to be part of it.”
“God’s Not Dead: Rise Up” will be no exception, as the movie comes amid ongoing debate and discussion over the presence of God in politics — and whether faith should have any role at all.
“I think it’s going to be, once again, a perfect timing,” White said. “A film that needs to be seen and get conversations starting about these types of issues.”
The actor said “God’s Not Dead: Rise Up” will focus on “being part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem.” The film will explore where God can help amid problems and solutions to the issues unfolding before us.
Playing Rev. Dave over the years has fascinated White, whose father was a Mennonite preacher.
“[My dad] always wanted me to become an evangelist, and I had never wanted to become an evangelist,” White said, noting his entire family went into ministry but that he felt a different calling. “I’ve always had a strong relationship with God since … I was very, very little.”
While the actor took a different path from what his dad always assumed he might do, White said he’s been amazed to see how God has uniquely used his talents and story.
“The amazing thing is that the Lord … has a call on each and every one of our lives,” White said. “He gives us dreams, He puts them inside of us, and all He asks is that we just pursue Him, and we’re faithful in the process of it.”
He continued, “And then it’s amazing to see, even despite ourselves, what He does with us and with our lives.”
White said he’s hoping God is pleased with “God’s Not Dead” and other related projects, including his latest movie, “Nothing Is Impossible,” a sports-themed, overcomer story.
If you’re interested in learning more about these films, visit Pure Flix.
***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***