I Still Believe: A Story of Hope During Hardship

Jeremy Camp I still Believe movie — Left: Jeremy Camp. Right: 'I Still Believe' movie poster.

For singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp, watching his life turned into a movie has been surreal. But he also understands that his personal tragedy contains a message of hope.

Premiering last week, ‘I Still Believe’ is the latest film from the Erwin Brothers. Starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson, Gary Sinise and Shania Twain, it tells the story of his rise to fame and his relationship with his wife Melissa, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and passed away four months after they were married.

“It’s the hardest part of my life,” he told Robbo and Becci on Vision’s Rise & Shine. “It’s the biggest trial I’ve ever experienced, the most pain I’ve ever experienced. I’ve written a book about it. I’ve talked about it, but to watch it on the big screen and watch people act it out, it is, it’s very difficult. And I think I didn’t realise how difficult it was going to be.”

But Jeremy says it has been worth it to see his struggle make a difference. “And that’s really the whole goal behind it anyway. Who cares about Jeremy Camp? It’s a movie about how someone who went through trials and tribulations ran to Jesus, and that’s what got him through it. And that’s what I’m really excited about.”

The movie’s release, in March 2020, was timed to reflect Ephesians 3:20 (NIV), which says “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Melissa always believed that if even one person could be helped by their pain, it would be worth it to her. “And we’re watching possibly millions of people that are going to be touched and transformed by just what God did through this story.”

I Still Believe Premiere & Movie Photos

As it turned out, Jeremy and Melissa’s hope and strength could be just what we need right now. Only weeks after the world was shocked by apocalyptic visions of our country on fire, we’re facing an uncertain future and a disrupted present thanks to COVID-19.

“People are looking for hope, and looking for the answer to this chaos. And there’s only Jesus. We’re only going to find it in Jesus. To me that’s why I’m so excited for this movie coming out.”

Jeremy has already seen the impact the film is having on its stars. Melissa was a huge fan of Shania Twain, who plays Jeremy’s mother in the film, and he says she’s been very sweet and supportive. And KJ Apa has spoken a lot about how much he’s loved and learned from the part.

“How they’re being touched by this story is a huge deal,” Jeremy said, “because now they can go and now share it authentically with people. ‘I actually acted this, but I was affected by it personally’.”

While KJ Apa speaks to teenagers, Robbo remembers Gary Sinise from Forest Gump. Jeremy says that’s part of the film’s strategy to reach a wide audience. “You’re going to see the young generation come out. You’re going to see the older generation come out, because they’re going to watch their parents who walked through this hurdle with their son.”

“They’re just a beautiful picture of a family really. And I think that’s why everyone is going to connect with it.”