Jonathan Roumie Calls One "Jesus Revolution" Scene "Extraordinary"

In this true story, he portrays a charismatic preacher who was in the vanguard of America's last great revival.

Jonathan Roumie plays street preacher Lonnie Frisbee in "Jesus Revolution." Image: Kingdom Story Company/Lionsgate/from Instagram.

Best-known for his role as the Jesus character in the hit streaming series The Chosen, Jonathan Roumie is one of the principal cast members in Jesus Revolution, portraying hippie street preacher Lonnie Frisbee. Teaming up in the late 1960s with Pastor Chuck Smith - played by Kelsey Grammer - Frisbee helped lead countless young people in Southern California to Christ in what was called the Jesus Movement.

A screenshot of Jonathan Roumie (left) and Joel Courtney during a baptism scene in "Jesus Revolution." Image: Kingdom Story Company/Lionsgate/from YouTube.

This film, from the Christian brother duo of Jon and Andrew Erwin, is based on a book of the same title from Greg Laurie, who was a teenager at the time of the events. Now 70 years old and a prominent pastor himself, Laurie was then among the throngs of new Believers who were baptized by Frisbee and Smith at Pirate's Cove in Newport Beach, CA.

That scene in the movie features Roumie's character baptizing Laurie's - played by Joel Courtney - as well as dozens of extras who took part in the production. It made a powerful impression on the New-York born Roumie, who in a social media post called it likely one of the "most significant scenes" he has ever shot, because some participants actually were baptized in earnest.

"You see, as we were baptizing souls on film, people were hungry to kindle an authentic relationship with Jesus by being baptized in real life. Some of these happened WHILE we rolled cameras, others happened just off camera. It was an extraordinary thing to witness and felt like an anointing that was different to what I've experienced working on (The Chosen), but no less powerful."

The committed Christian, who calls himself a born-again Catholic, added that "Revival is here," and Christ alone can "save/complete" us. He then urged fans to reach out to the Lord.

"Turn your whole heart back to God. He wants all of you, even the parts you don't. Only Believe."

Jesus Revolution is off to a strong start at the domestic box office, having brought in more than $30 million and remained in the top five since its release 12 days ago. That is the second-best start for any film from the Erwin Brothers, trailing only their 2018 hit I Can Only Imagine.