A Faith-Based Renaissance: How Brett Varvel and Kristin Wollett Are Leading the Charge in Soul-Stirring Entertainment
In a world often dominated by noise and chaos, there’s a growing hunger for stories that speak to the soul—stories that inspire, uplift, and remind us of the beauty of faith, hope, and love. Faith-based entertainment is experiencing a powerful resurgence, and at the forefront of this movement are actors Brett Varvel and Kristin Wollett, co-stars of the hit Great American Family/Great American Pure Flix series County Rescue. As the show heads into its second season, the duo reflects on the unprecedented rise of faith-based projects and the profound impact they’re having on audiences nationwide.
A Genre on the Rise
The numbers don’t lie: faith-based entertainment is thriving. Last fall, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever opened at No. 3 at the box office and earned a stellar 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Earlier in the year, Unsung Hero debuted at No. 2 and was also certified “fresh” by critics. And let’s not forget The Chosen, the global phenomenon that has captivated millions of viewers and successfully expanded into theaters. These successes are not anomalies—they’re proof of a growing appetite for content that resonates on a deeper level.
Brett Varvel, who has starred in projects like Vindication, American Underdog, and Running the Bases, sees this moment as nothing short of a renaissance.
“When you look at the Renaissance artists of the past,” Varvel explains, “these were talented people who were taking something that was holy and making it beautiful with the art form of the day. For so long, faith-based entertainment hasn’t always done that. But now, we’re upping our standards on quality, on excellence, on authenticity. We’re bringing these stories to life in a way that truly honors their meaning.”
Stories That Quench the Soul
Kristin Wollett, who has appeared in Christmas Wreaths and Ribbons and God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust, believes audiences are craving more than just entertainment—they’re searching for meaning.
“Viewers are thirsty for good entertainment,” Wollett says. “And when you see something like Disciples in the Moonlight or Unsung Hero or The Best Christmas Pageant Ever or The Chosen, you think, ‘Oh, that’s what I’m thirsty for.’ Like—‘I’ve been drinking from this other well for so long, and I didn’t realize what I really was thirsty for.’”
She continues, “People are finally getting an idea of what good, family-friendly, faith-forward entertainment looks like—good storylines, good acting, everything put together. And now that they’ve had a taste of it, they just want more.”
Raising the Bar
Faith-based entertainment is thriving at a time when much of Hollywood is pushing boundaries in ways that often alienate traditional audiences. Wollett notes the stark divide: “There’s a huge gap between what mainstream entertainment is offering and what faith-based projects are delivering. People are looking for alternatives, and we’re here to provide that.”
Varvel agrees, emphasizing the importance of excellence in storytelling. “It’s very important to not just say, ‘Well, it’s got God or Jesus in it, so it’s great.’ We need to be excellent. We need to say if something’s terrible and just own up to it and get better as artists. I think there’s been a lot of honesty nurtured over the last decade, and it’s accompanying the fact that people are willing to take the risk.”
This commitment to quality is evident in projects like Jesus Revolution, which starred five-time Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer, and Ordinary Angels, featuring Oscar winner Hilary Swank. These high-profile collaborations are a testament to the growing respect and credibility of faith-based entertainment.
County Rescue: A Beacon of Hope
At the heart of this movement is County Rescue, a series that follows the lives of EMTs in training as they navigate the challenges of their profession and their faith. For Varvel and Wollett, the show is more than just a job—it’s a mission.
“I hope that County Rescue paves the way for a lot more content like this,” Wollett says. “I hope it raises the bar and shows that faith-based stories can be just as compelling, just as well-produced, and just as impactful as anything else out there.”
Varvel adds, “We’re in unprecedented territory right now. The talent has always been there, but people were afraid to take the risk. Now, you’re seeing mainstream names stepping into faith-based projects, and it’s changing the game. This is just the beginning.”
A Call to Action
As faith-based entertainment continues to rise, Varvel and Wollett are calling on creators, artists, and audiences to embrace this moment. “We have an opportunity to tell stories that matter, stories that can change lives,” Varvel says. “Let’s not waste it.”
For Wollett, the message is simple: “Keep creating. Keep sharing. Keep believing in the power of these stories. Because when we do, we’re not just entertaining—we’re inspiring, we’re healing, and we’re reminding people of the hope that’s always within reach.”
The faith-based renaissance is here, and it’s only getting started. With projects like County Rescue leading the way, the future of entertainment is looking brighter—and more soulful—than ever.
County Rescue is streaming now on Great American Family/Great American Pure Flix. Join the movement and experience the power of faith-based storytelling today.
