Jesus Revolution

In 1968, a conservative yet esteemed pastor from Southern California, Chuck Smith, faces the disheartening reality that his church is struggling to connect with the dynamic, free-spirited youth of the hippie movement. One fateful day, his daughter Janette picks up a vibrant hippie hitchhiker named Lonnie Frisbee, who claims he is on a mission to spread the message of Jesus. Initially cautious of Frisbee’s intentions, Smith gradually opens his heart and invites other free-spirited individuals into his home. This culminates in a memorable moment where Frisbee introduces Chuck to a band called Love Song, who mesmerize him with a performance in his own living room.

Together, they embark on a remarkable journey to evangelize the youth of the time, attracting many lost souls seeking meaning. Meanwhile, high school student Greg Laurie rebels against the structure of his Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps class, opting instead to join Cathe at a Janis Joplin concert, where the infamous Timothy Leary extols the virtues of drugs for self-exploration. Yet, as Greg witnesses the reckless behavior of his peers—highlighted by Cathe’s sister suffering a drug overdose—he begins to realize the grave dangers ahead. Tensions escalate when Cathe confronts Greg over his indifference regarding the threats of drug culture, ultimately leading to a rift in their friendship.

In a twist of fate, as Cathe listens to Frisbee preach at the hippie commune, Greg arrives, and they mend their connection, with Cathe enthusiastically inviting him to a church that she has found. Both Greg and Cathe embrace the welcoming atmosphere of Smith and Frisbee’s burgeoning ministry, even as Cathe’s strict parents express their disapproval of Greg. The duo soon becomes a part of a burgeoning movement that garners media attention, famously dubbed the “Jesus Revolution” or “Jesus freaks,” even featuring on the cover of Time magazine in 1971.

However, as time passes, cracks appear in the camaraderie between Chuck and Lonnie, leading Frisbee to depart for Florida following a disagreement. Taking charge, Greg volunteers to run a branch of the ministry in Riverside, eventually marrying Cathe and establishing himself as a prominent pastor. Both Smith and Frisbee rise to prominence as pivotal figures in the rapid expansion of the Calvary Chapel movement, leaving a lasting legacy as key leaders in the larger Jesus movement.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 12:24