The Untold Story of America’s First Great Awakening | A Conversation with Jonathan Blair & Joshua Enck
Before America had a revolution, it had a revival—and at the center of it was a “rock star” preacher named George Whitefield. On this episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Greg sits down with Joshua Enck and Jonathan Blair—creators and star of the new film “A Great Awakening”—to uncover the forgotten story of the First Great Awakening and its lasting impact on our nation.
Joshua Enck (director, Sight & Sound) and Jonathan Blair (who portrays Whitefield) bring history to life, sharing how Whitefield’s radical preaching and partnership with Benjamin Franklin helped ignite a revival that transformed colonial America. Through powerful anecdotes, biblical insight, and a genuine passion for storytelling, the conversation explores not just Whitefield’s supernatural voice and courage, but also the authentic warmth and compassion that drove him to reach every corner of society.
Listen for two unforgettable moments: Jonathan describes the challenge—and surrender—in embodying Whitefield’s larger-than-life spirit, revealing how “getting out of the way” allowed something greater to shine through 06:09. And don’t miss the compelling analysis of Whitefield’s relationship with Franklin—a unique friendship that shaped both men and the birth of America 22:50.
This episode invites listeners into the heart of revival: how ordinary, flawed people can spark extraordinary change. If you’re hungry for authentic stories of hope, faith, and renewal, tune in as Greg and guests reflect on what America needs now—another spiritual awakening.
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CHAPTERS:
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Gen Z’s Search for Authentic Faith
00:47 The Forgotten George: Spotlight on Whitfield
02:12 Thirty Years That Sparked a Revolution
03:27 Bringing Whitfield to Life On Screen
05:00 God Uses Unlikely, Flawed People
06:09 Whitfield’s Unstoppable Preaching Power
07:19 Becoming an Evangelist: Preaching for a Decision
10:27 Gospel Is Dunamis—The Power of Dynamite
11:37 Whitfield’s Compassion for All People
12:28 Franklin and Whitfield: Revolutionary Collaboration
16:01 Self-Governance Born from Revival
17:42 Franklin, the Reluctant Preacher’s Son
22:08 Why This Film Matters for America Today
23:12 Philly Rebuilt: Filming Market Street’s Awakening
25:40 Hollywood’s Alternate Universe and Film’s Influence
28:09 Every Christian Is a Candle—Personal Impact
30:06 Truth, Conviction, and Flawed Heroes
32:24 God Uses Crooked Sticks: Flaws in Scripture
36:13 America’s Revival Roots & Need for Awakening
37:20 Living Through Revival: The Jesus Movement
38:32 Can This Film Ignite Another Awakening?
39:29 Films That Changed Our Lives
44:05 The Power of Storytelling in Gospel Film
46:01 A Call to Unashamed, Bold Christian Art
47:52 God Ideas, Not Good Ideas
48:27 Closing Blessing: Fame of Revival Spreads the Flame
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In 1990, Laurie founded the Harvest Crusades, a series of large-scale evangelistic events designed to present the gospel to broad audiences. These events have since drawn more than 11.5 million participants in person and online. In 2012, he launched Harvest America, a nationwide outreach event that utilized HD livestreaming to broadcast to thousands of venues across the United States. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in over 700,000 documented professions of faith.
A prolific author, Laurie has written over 70 books, including House of David, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, Revelation: A Book of Promises, and Jesus Revolution.
His filmography includes Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, Hope for Hurting Hearts, Steve McQueen: American Icon, and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. In 2023, Greg and Cathe Laurie’s life and conversion during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s were depicted in the Lionsgate film Jesus Revolution, starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie.
Greg Laurie has been married to Cathe Laurie for over 51 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit harvest.org
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