Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner has revealed that starring in the faith-based film "Miracles from Heaven" not only strengthened her own faith, but also prompted her to return to church and fellowship with the body of Christ.
"I don't think it (my faith) has changed, I grew up going to church," she told FOX411 at the premiere for her film, which opens in theaters March 16. "The only difference is that I think I probably realized I needed to participate in it more and actually be reengaged and finding a church in my community instead of just going when I am home in West Virginia."
"Miracles from Heaven" is based on the true story of Annabel Beam, a little girl from Texas, who visited Heaven and met Jesus after a devastating fall. She was also miraculously cured of a life-threatening digestive disorder after the accident. Her incredible story of faith, hope, and overcoming adversity is retold in her mother Christy's memoir of the same title.
During a February appearance on "Good Morning Texas," the 43-year-old mother of three, who plays Christy in the upcoming film, further shared how the film impacted her spiritual life.
"I grew up going to church every Sunday of my life, and when I did move to L.A., it wasn't something that was just part of the culture in the same way, at least in my life. But it didn't mean that I lost who I was," explained Garner.
"But there was something about doing this film, and talking to my kids about it and realizing that they were looking for the structure of church every Sunday. So it was a great gift of this film that it took us back to finding our local Methodist church and going every Sunday. It's really sweet."
She added, "I love how inspiring the film is. But I also really connected with Christy just from reading the book and from reading the script, and I wanted to honor what she and Annabel and the whole family went through."
However, Garner recently told People that she is still getting comfortable talking about religion, as it's a "little weird" to discuss faith in Hollywood.
"It has always been quietly a part of me," she said. "I'm still getting used to the idea of talking about it."
In a 2015 interview with the Gospel Herald, Christy Beam said she hopes her family's story will encourage and inspire others, and also serve as a reminder that God is faithful -- even in the little things.
"It doesn't have to be one big huge grand miracle that happens to help you realize that God is faithful," she said. "He is there, He is real, He is active in your life. It is all those small acts of faithfulness that He is trying to show you daily of His love and His reality there for you. It may not mean you get a grand miracle, and that's ok, because sometimes all those little acts of faithfulness that God is showing you daily are miracles themselves."
Last month, producer DeVon Franklin told The Gospel Herald that "Miracles from Heaven" will not only entertain viewers, but strengthen their faith as well.
"When people walk out of the theater, they're going to feel like God is real, that faith works, that miracles are everywhere," he said. They're going to hug their families, they're going to pray, they're going to thank God and leave the theater with hope that even if they don't get a miracle like Annabelle got, if they open their eyes and look, miracles are all around them, the miracles of love, the miracles of kindness, the miracles of peace, the miracles of joy. If we would just take a moment focus, we'll see that God is letting us know that we're not alone. These are things that I believe people will walk out the theater with."
