Faith
Franklin, Whitefield, and a Revival That Shaped America
Faith Facts
- George Whitefield was a central figure in the First Great Awakening, preaching a message of spiritual renewal across the colonies.
- Benjamin Franklin, the son of a Puritan, used his influence to promote Whitefield’s religious gatherings despite their different spiritual leanings.
- The film “A Great Awakening” explores how faith-based unity served as a precursor to the birth of the United States.
As our nation prepares for its 250th anniversary, we reflect on the providential foundations laid during the First Great Awakening.
This historical movement united our ancestors under the proclamation of liberty in Christ and established the moral bedrock of our democracy.
Sight & Sound Theaters is releasing a new feature film, “A Great Awakening,” to highlight the unlikely friendship between Benjamin Franklin and Reverend George Whitefield.
This partnership served as a powerful catalyst for spiritual revival throughout the American colonies.
“The Lord redeemed that calling that was on Ben Franklin’s life by having him promote this uprising of faith,” says Joshua Enck, Chief Story Officer at Sight & Sound.
Despite his secular reputation, Franklin was the primary promoter of Whitefield’s ministry, demonstrating how God uses diverse individuals to accomplish His divine purposes.
Their shared commitment to truth helped shape the early identity of a people seeking both spiritual and political freedom.
Explore this inspiring chapter of our American heritage and see how God’s hand guided our nation’s earliest leaders toward the light of the Gospel.