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Emily Netterville, who plays an extra in the tent revival scene, googled the time period before dressing for her role. Surrounded by old-time model cars on the set, the 20-something local walked around in her long, patterned skirt with rollers in her hair, taking in the experience.

"I'm very excited about it because Billy Graham is such a historical figure not only as a preacher, but also someone who affected millions of lives," said Netterville. "We see him nowadays and how old he is, but I didn't know he'd started preaching in the 1930s. It's really cool to see this spin on a younger guy; it's more relatable."

Making a movie that's "more relatable" to a younger audience was part of McKay's plan.

"We are trying to illustrate to young people with images, ideals and words, that your decisions matter," he said. "And sometimes, even the smallest decisions become the most important decisions."

McKay also wanted to encourage younger viewers that God can use anyone, regardless of who they are or what skills they may or may not have.

"God saw in Billy like he saw in David, a man after God's own heart," said McKay. "Billy wasn't the orator; he couldn't hold an audience of 40,000 in the 1940s. But God chose Billy. I think what we do is show the great manifestation of God's power in taking the weakness of man and doing something great and significant."

McKay and co-producer Larry Mortorff want their film to show that journey.

"We know where he is now," said Mortorff. "He's a great orator, a speaker of the gospel, a friend of presidents, among the 'who's who' of the world. Someone who has spoken to more men and woman than any person in history. But we don't know how we got there."

How he got there includes conflict that every good story—and movie—must have. One might think Billy Graham's life was free of conflict, but the film depicts two powerful moments that would shape his life thereon.

Mordecai Ham (Cliff Bemis) gives the altar call

The first comes just before that 1934 tent revival. Billy's father warns him not to go, but Billy's best friend Albert bribes him by allowing him to drive his brand new truck. Without having a "born-again" experience, Graham is drawn to the preaching and music inside the tent. As the evangelist Mordecai Ham delivers the gospel message, a young Billy says "it was like he was talking to me about my sin." Graham then walks the sawdust aisle, making a decision that shaped Christian history.

The second bout with conflict involves Graham's good friend Templeton, a relationship that began while they traveled together for Youth for Christ. After seeing the devastation of World War II abroad, Templeton—played as a young man by Kristoffer Polaha—questions God and his faith. After attending Princeton Theological Seminary in the late 1940s, Templeton eventually lost his faith and declared himself an agnostic.

"Billy was shaken by this," said Mortorff. "He questioned whether he should go back and be a dairy farmer and follow in his father's footsteps, instead of his Father in heaven. He was right on the cusp of shrinking back on his calling. He was wrestling with God. But he came to an absolutely concrete understanding from God to take the Bible by faith."

The film also stars Stefanie Butler (CSI:NY) as Billy's wife Ruth, while country singer Josh Turner makes his acting debut as George Beverly Shea. Sixteen-year-old bluegrass musician Sierra Hull plays Billy's sister Catherine—and even sings Graham's signature altar call song, "Just As I Am"—while two Liberty University students were cast as Billy's friends. Anastasia Brown (August Rush) leads the musical talent for the script; she is also president of 821 Entertainment Group that facilitated the Tennessee production incentives.

A young Billy Graham heeds the altar call

Daily, the three lead characters—Hammer, Butler, and Polaha—came to the set to pray for each other, the cast, crew and the film's ultimate effect on its viewers.

McKay hopes audiences will see Christ in the story.

"I wrote this script because I wanted to introduce Jesus again through the experiences of an atheist who betrayed the gospel and betrayed Billy, who in the end understood the only path to freedom and peace, is through Jesus," he said.

Hammer agreed, saying he wants moviegoers to "feel an overall sense of goodness and love. So much of that is in this story—Billy Graham's love for humanity, God's love for us. There is love throughout the script.

"Regardless of what they believe, if they walk out of the theater and see love and goodness, my job will be done. And if Billy Graham's message gets into people's minds and change people's lives that would be great as well."

Jewel Graham is a reporter and producer for The 700 Club in Nashville. She is not related to Billy Graham.

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