Kirk Cameron is calling another "National Family Meeting."
"I held the first 'National Family Meeting' right before the election to talk about how to revive the heartbeat of the nation," the former "Growing Pains" star told The Gospel Herald in an exclusive interview. "Today, we're divided over race, politics, religion, over gender, over choice -- it seems worse than before the election. How in the world are we going to move forward in a healthy way? It's time for another meeting."
"Revive Us 2" comes to U.S. movie theaters for two nights, live on October 24 and rebroadcast on November 1 from the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. "Revive Us 2" follows last year's "Revive Us," attended by over 150,000 people.
This year, Cameron will bring together well-known and inspirational friends such as Dr. Ben Carson, Ravi Zacharias, Joni Eareckson Tada, Trillia Newbell, filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, musical guests Zach Williams and Christian Cuevas, others.
The goal of the night? To bring hope, courage and unity to a nation that desperately needs revival.
"There has been a shift that I see in culture," Cameron shared. "I sense an awakening among the family of faith, and I see a fresh momentum building of people who are really wanting to have their lives match what they say that they believe. I'm seeing people of integrity, people of faith, people who want to change the world and make a positive difference and bridge all of these divides and really let their light shine in practical ways."
"Revive Us 2" comes to cinemas nationwide broadcasting live on Tuesday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT and tape-delayed to 8:00 p.m. PT/HI/AK. A re-broadcast of the live event will play on Wednesday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. local time. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.
Below is the exclusive interview with Kirk Cameron.
GH: What made you decide to host another family meeting for "Revive Us 2"?
KC: I don't know if you remember how you felt last year right before the presidential election, but I have a feeling you were filled with concern, anxiety, wondering, "where is the future of America?" I held the First National Family meeting right before the election, and it was a time to talk about how to revive the heartbeat of the nation. How do we diagnose what's wrong the nation and how do we bring her back to full health as a nation that is strong and free?
I believe that the family of faith is perfectly positioned to lead the way. That's why we're going to offer a night of hope, courage, and unity and show people a path to working together across these divides that is energized and powered by our faith and love for God.
GH: How can a person of faith stand strong on what the Bible tell us about current issues in a culture that constantly pushes against such values?
KC: I travel across the country, and you would be shocked at how many millions of people are not racist, are not bigots, are not insensitive to the socioeconomic issues, who are not greedy, who are not divided and contentious over gender. Instead, they really and truly want to see ways of coming together across all of these things and be a blessing to one another. I'm one of those people, and I know and millions of others like that.
They're saying things like, "how can I get engaged? How can I stay connected so I can create the culture I want for my children rather than complaining about the culture that I see for my children?" At "Revive Us 2," we'll talk about practical ways to demonstrate our faith, put our values forward, and put heat to our prayers.
GH: Can you briefly outline for me some of these practical steps for elevating our values?
KC: First, know what those values are. If we want to elevate our values to the forefront, we want to know what it is we believe, why it's good to believe those things, and respectfully talk about those things even the light of our different backgrounds and perspectives and denominations. If we can talk about them through the filter of caring for one another, then the differences can sharpen us and help us find better ways to move forward in the areas of race, religion, economics, family, and politics.
GH: These are scary times. What is one prayer we can pray over America?
KC: I love the The Serenity Prayer, because it is so powerful and filled with so much wisdom. "God help me to change the things that I can change," which really is just myself, and "help me to accept the things I can't change" -- which is everybody else -- and "the wisdom to know the difference." If I can begin to know who I am in Christ and be kind and helpful to my neighbors and I don't point fingers of blame to others and expect others to change, because I can't change them, then I think we're on the right path. I believe there is a God in Heaven who is for us and wants to pour out blessing and protection. Our opportunity is to trust Him for the grace to love Him with all of our heart and love our neighbors.
GH: What can I say to my non-Christian friends to encourage them to see "Revive Us 2'?
KC: Ask them, "are you tired of all of the arguments that you see in the news, all of mudslinging and the name-calling and negativity?" Because I think it's time for better and higher perspective on all of these issues. Wisdom is seeing life from a higher perspective. "Revive Us 2" will offer a solution that you're not hearing in your newsfeed - it'll offer you hope, courage, and a path to unity that I think will work for everyone.
I'm a former atheist myself, so I understand the concern people have. But even as an atheist, I got a lot out of faith events. In fact, it turned my perspective around, because I saw that healthy families, nations, and world really come by seeing life from a higher perspective. I believe that's God's perspective. Let's climb up and see the world from where God sees it. By looking at issues the way that God sees them, we'll be able to find solutions to the problems we face.
