As the film begins, Thomas Campbell, an Irish minister, has left his home and ministry to settle in America, leaving his eldest son, Alexander to bring the rest of the family after he establishes himself in the new land.

During 1808, the family was shipwrecked and forced to regroup in Glasgow, Scotland. Alexander spent the time studying at university and became disenchanted with the hypocrisy of the clerical establishment, severing himself from the church.

Arriving in Eastern Pennsylvania, the family is reunited with Thomas, but Alexander dreads having to explain his act to his father. Finally forced to confront the situation, Alexander is amazed to find his father understands, having been through a similar experience with the local clerics who bicker incessantly over doctrinal minutiae. The two resolve to champion the cause of uniting all Christians into one peaceful, ecumenical body.

Alexander meets and marries Margaret Brown. She becomes a strong influence, coaxing Alexander to utilize his gifts and involve himself in public debates with other groups. The resultant debates launch the movement that grows with Alexander's reputation and influence in matters both religious and political.

The family suffers the loss of a child and finds Alexander in a whirlwind of public controversy over his positions. America in the earlggious thought. The Scottish Socialist, Robert Owen, later a mentor to Karl Marx, establishes experimental socialistic communities in Ohio and seeks a debate over the existence of God. Alexander accepts.

Margaret is taken ill and dies suddenly, leaving Alexander with their five surviving daughters and admonishing him to always be true to the voice in his heart.

In Cincinnati, before a sanctuary packed with humanity from both camps, Campbell faces Robert Owen in a debate that lasts seven days. Without a definitive resolution, Owen concedes that he is convinced at least to re-examine the source of Campbell's passion. Alexander rides home alone, weary, but heartened to move into his future.

The source of Alexander Campbell's passion fired within him a heroic vision of religious liberty. The power of that passion drove him through 37 more years of tireless advocacy.

Campbell became eminent in many fields -- an enlightened advocate of educational reform, an exponent of political reform, a champion of human liberty, a challenger of injustice -- and universally esteemed by the great figures of his day, friend and foe alike, as a man of wisdom, integrity, and vision.

The voice in his heart rippled through the new country and beyond.

PAUL MERCIER (Alexander Campbell) A third generation stage actor, Paul makes his feature film debut in "WRESTLING WITH GOD." When he was six years old he took his first bow on stage with his father's community theater group, The Kensington-Garrett Players in Maryland. It wasn't until his senior year in high school, though, while playing "Tevye" in "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" that he realized acting was his true vocation.

Following professional engagements with a touring company and several other theaters in the Washington D.C. area, he was accepted into the acting program at Adelphi University in 1980. After winning the Alexander-Barnes Acting Competition he was awarded a full scholarship for each of his four years.

Even as a freshman Paul performed on the Senior Mainstage in plays ranging from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Shakespeare. His repertoire included French mime, dramatic verse, musicals, contemporary comedy, straight plays and cabaret.

Paul trained for three years at the Royal Shakespeare Company at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in Central London under the tutelage of Cicely Berry, Patsy Rodenberg, Sue Lefton and other stellar lights of the British stage. A highlight was being selected to perform in the British premiere of Leonard Bernstein's "MASS" under Bernstein's direction.

Before leaving Great Briton, Paul had performed professionally with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appeared as "Mercutio" at the Arundel Festival and throughout Europe on an Arts Council Tour, led an English cast through the premiere of Yuri Trifonov's "THE EXCHANGE" outside what was then the Iron Curtain, and directed "INSIGNIFICANCE" for the Edinburgh Festival.

Paul returned to the United States and began teaching acting, improvisation, stage combat, and verse. Paul's wife Paula is credited with bringing him to California where he quickly gained his Screen Actors Guild credentials. In addition to his classical and dramatic endeavors, Paul is in great demand for voice-overs and is part of a comedy troupe that performs regularly at Los Angeles night spots.

ALLISON GREGORY (Margaret Campbell) From Shakespeare to "THE MUSIC MAN," "CAROUSEL," "BRIGADOON," "FIFTH OF JULY," "THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK," "HOOTERS" and "SCENES FROM A TANGO" (winner of numerous Drama-Logue Awards) Allison's wide ranging professional stage experience includes world premieres in regional theatres across the country as well as Los Angeles. She also has extenisive professional experiecnce in ballet, jazz, modern and renaissance dance. In episodic television, she has guested on many series and starred in "PRIVATE BENJAMIN," "BLACKE'S MAGIC,' and "JESSE HAWKES."

Her talent has graced several Hollywood features including "PERFECT" (Columbia Pictures), the title role in Walt Disney Productions' "RED RIDING HOOD," and the independently produced films "RICOCHET" and "AGE-WAVE."

Allison was voted "BEST ACTRESS of 1991" by Christian Visual Media International for her performance in "WRESTLING WITH GOD".

BILL HAYES (Thomas Campbell) is in his fifth decade as a principal performer, having danced happily from theater to films to recordings to television, making stops along the way to do radio, concerts, cafes and commercials.

His big break was with Olsen & Johnson's madcap "FUNZAPOPPIN," first on stage, then on television. In the early 50's Hayes rose to stardom on the shoulders of Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca as the regular singer (heart-throb for teenagers) on "YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS," claimed by many to be the best variety series ever to appear on TV.

His Broadway debut was as Rodgers and Hammerstein's leading man in their 1953 hit "ME AND JULIET." Bill has a gold record for his 2.5 million seller "THE BALLAD OF DAVY CROCKET." He was spokesman for Oldsmobile for several years, hosted NBC Radio's "MONITOR," appeared as guest soloist with the Cincinnati, St. Louis and Indianapolis Symphonies, worked the supper club circuit both as a single and in a duo with Florence Henderson.

Playing "Georges" in "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES" in 1988 was Bill's 83rd starring theatrical experience. He's played Shakespeare, farce, musicals, operettas, drama, comedy and industrials. One of his favorite roles was "Albert Peterson" in the 1961-62 National Touring Company of "BYE BYE BIRDIE."

From 1970 to 1987 Hayes created the character "Doug Williams" on NBC-TV's award-winning soap, "DAYS OF OUR LIVES," receiving many Best Actor awards as well as appearing on the cover of TIME with his lovely actress/wife Susan Seaforth Hayes.

His two major films were "STOP! YOU'RE KILLING ME" (Warner Bros.} and "THE CARDINAL" (Preminger/Columbia). In the last two years on television he has guest starred on "MATLOCK," "HOOPERMAN," "SUPERIOR COURT," "DIVORCE COURT" and the ephemeral game show "YAHTZEE." Recently he has toured nationally playing the lead in a revival of "HARVEY" and singing in concerts with Anne Blyth.

Bill's preparation for his role in "WRESTLING WITH GOD" included extensive study of his great-grandfather; a preacher and contemporary of Campbell's.

From Harvey, Illinois, Bill Hayes has 5 children and eleven grandchildren, makes his home in Los Angeles, has been rapturously married to (his co-star on "DAYS") Susan Seaforth since 1974.

SUSAN SEAFORTH HAYES (Jane Campbell) Susan Seaforth Hayes is one of the few child actresses to carry her talent successfully into adulthood. Her career began at age four, when she appeared as Dorothy Kristen's son "Trouble" in a Metropolitan Opera production of "MADAME BUTTERFLY." As a twelve-year-old, Susan toured with Billie Burke in "MOTHER WAS A BACHELOR." And as a teenager, she appeared in many TV dramas including "LASSIE," "MATINEE THEATRE," "EVE ARDEN," "LORETTA YOUNG," and "DANNY THOMAS" and was featured in such films as "FIVE PENNIES" with Danny Kay, "ANGEL IN MY POCKET" with Andy Griffith, and "BILLIE" with Patty Duke.

As television developed and matured, so did Susan. She specialized in dramatic, emotional roles on "DRAGNET," "DEATH VALLEY DAYS," "BONANZA," "MY THREE SONS," HAWAIIAN EYE," "77 SUNSET STRIP," "THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.," "WAGON TRAIN," PERRY MASON," "ADAM-12" and "IRONSIDE." During this period she appeared in a variety of stage plays including "COME BLOW YOUR HORN," "MARY MARY," "TIME REMEMBERED" and "RING ROUND THE MOON." She also obtained her degree in History at Los A8AT u @best known for her superb work in the TV soap world. She played a brief role on "GENERAL HOSPITAL," did a two year stint on "THE YOUNG MARRIEDS," and then graduated to playing the irrepressible, irresistible "Julie" on "DAYS OF OUR LIVES" -- for sixteen years! For this role she received four Emmy nominations and many Best Actress Awards from magazine editors, critics and viewers. In her spare time, Susan has bared her incisive wit and droll outlook on various TV game shows ("HOLLYWOOD SQUARES" for three years) as well as national talk shows. She enjoys the spontaneous banter and has been known to put her foot in her mouth with amazing speed and accuracy.

She met Bill Hayes while on "DAYS OF OUR LIVES" and married him on screen and off.

After departing "DAYS OF OUR LIVES" in 1984, Susan returned to the stage to play the saucy heroine "Nancy" in "OLIVER!" at Melody Top Theatre, Milwaukee.

Then suddenly she was offered the role of the calculating designer, "JoAnna Manning," on CBS- TV's "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS." She has also been fortunate to tour with her husband Bill in the plays "TRIBUTE" and "HARVEY." Susan is an inveterate eclectic, with such diverse interests as anthropology (especially American Indian), the history of art, interior design, gourmet cooking and horseback riding (western!). Her travel-scrapbooks include the near and far, the exotic and the familiar: Africa, Egypt, Greece, Europe, Australia -- Manhattan, Michigan, Oregon, Arizona, Utah. "And yet," she confides, "nothing beats the thrill of a quiet supper for two -- at home -- in front of the fireplace."

Susan was named "BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS of 1991" by Christian Visual Media International for her role in "WRESTLING WITH GOD".

DAVID ACKROYD (Robert Owen) David was born on May 30 in East Orange, N.J., and moved to the nearby town of Wayne when he was 12 years old. After graduating from Wayne High School he entered Bucknell University, and met his future wife, Ruth, when they appeared together in a school play. After Bucknell, he enrolled at Rutgers Law School, intending to become a lawyer, but soon tired of it and fulfilled his ROTC obligation to the Army.

While stationed at a base in Arizona he followed up on his earlier interest in theater by joining the base theater group, and was persuaded by a fellow member that he should try acting as a career. So, following his discharge, he entered Yale Drama School for three years, earned his Masters Degree in acting, then joined the Yale Repertory Theater. A play in which he appeared for that group, "UNLIKELY HEROES," found its way to Broadway which led to a role in the daytime drama, "THE SECRET STORM," portraying "Kevin Kincaid" for two years.

David traveled to Los Angeles to guest star on an episode of "KOJAK," then returned to New York and the role of "Dr. David Gilchrist" in the daytime drama "ANOTHER WORLD" for two- and-a-half years. In 1977 he returned to California to do a pilot that didn't sell, then decided to move to the West Coast permanently. Two days after he arrived with his family, he was tabbed to star in the mini-series "THE DARK SECRET OF HARVEST HOME," with Bette Davis.

He has since returned to Broadway to star in "HIDE AND SEEK" and "CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD," but otherwise has worked mostly in Hollywood.

He starred in the mini-series "WOMEN IN WHITE," "NUTCRACKER: MONEY, MADNESS, AND MURDER" (with Lee Remick), "POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL: THE BARBARA HUTTON STORY" (with Farrah Fawcett) and WINDMILLS OF THE GODS" (opposite Jaclyn Smith).

His starring roles in motion pictures-for-television include "THE SKY'S NO LIMIT" (opposite Sharon Gless), "AND I ALONE SURVIVED" (opposite Blair Brown), "COCAINE: ONE MAN'S SEDUCTION," "A GUN IN THE HOUSE" (opposite Sally Struthers), "WHEN YOUR LOVER LEAVES" (opposite Valerie Perrine), "CHILDREN OF TIMES SQUARE" (opposite Joann Cassidy), "STARK II: MIRRORED IMAGE" (with Kirstie Alley), "NATICA JACKSON" (opposite Michelle Pfeiffer), "STOP AT NOTHING" (with Veronica Hamel), and "HELL HATH NO FURY" (opposite Loretta Swit, with Barbara Eden) among others.

Additionally, David was the original "Gary Ewing" in "DALLAS," and has starred as a regular on the series "LITTLE WOMEN," "STUDIO 5B" and "PEACEABLE KINGDOM" (opposite Lindsay Wagner), had recurring roles on "AFTERMASH," "CAGNEY AND LACEY," "DYNASTY," and "ST. ELSEWHERE," and has guest-starred on numerous television series, including "LOU GRANT," "THE PAPER CHASE," "KNOT'S LANDING," "TRAPPER JOHN, M.D.," "HOTEL," "HUNTER," "HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN," "HARDCASTLE & MCCORMICK," "MACGYVER," "MURDER SHE WROTE," and "DOOGIE HOWSER, MD."

David has co-starred in the theatrical motion pictures, "THE MOUNTAIN MEN," (with Charleton Heston), "MEMORIES OF ME" (with Billy Crystal), "I COME IN PEACE," and now "WRESTLING WITH GOD."

He and Ruth live in Los Angeles and have two daughters, Jessica and Abigail.

JERRY L. JACKSON (Writer/Producer/Director) Jerry began his professional career while still in high school, working on a series of educational dramas for Coronet Films. Quickly progressing from production assistant to sound man, to lighting director, and cinematographer, provided an opportunity to explore every aspect of creative filmmaking.

On graduating from high school, he wrote, produced, directed, photographed and edited "DIE ZIEBEN KREUZE" an award-winning, full-length feature shot on locations in Italy, France, Germany, England and the United States.

While attending the University of Iowa, he worked as a Production Manager for the Iowa Public Broadcasting Network. In addition to several student productions, he was hired as Assistant Director and Second Unit Director for Mark IV Pictures' award-winning feature, "A THIEF IN THE NIGHT" (written and directed by Donald W. Thompson) and served as Director of Photography on "THE HAT ACT" an award-winning (Virgin Islands Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, The Berlin Film Festival) short for HBO.

At the University, his interest in writing led to involvement in several special projects with the widely respected International Writers Workshop, whose graduates and returning guest lecturers include, Tennessee Williams, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., and William Price Fox.

His passion for film found another outlet as Director of the Refocus International Film Festival, the largest student-run film, video, and photography festival in the country. The twice annual festival covered everything from underground independents to mainstream Hollywood studio productions and held several world, US, and regional premieres with the filmmakers in attendance. Guests and premieres included Robert Redford ("ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN"), Sydney Pollack ("THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR"), Robert Altman ("THIEVES LIKE US"), and Alan Pakula ("ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN").

Following Jerry's graduation from the University of Iowa, Producer/Director Sydney Pollack ("THE WAY WE WERE," "THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY," "JEREMIAH JOHNSON," "BOBBIE DEERFIELD," "THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN," "TOOTSIE," "OUT OF AFRICA") invited him to move to Los Angeles and serve as his assistant. Located at The Burbank Studios (WARNER BROS./COLUMBIA), Jerry was active in all aspects of the film business from pre- production through marketing, with special emphasis in finding and developing projects for Mr. Pollack's production company.

While working with Mr. Pollack, Jerry had two singular opportunities outside his normal duties. The first as film editor of "THE HAMPSTEAD CENTRE" a documentary about Anna Freud and her work in the area of child psychology, produced by Mr. Pollack and directed by Joan Tewkesbury. The second was studying with Lee Strasburg at The Actors Studio West.

After his stint with Mr. Pollack, Jerry co-founded his own company, DARK HORSE FILMS. Functioning as Writer/Producer, Jerry has developed projects with UNITED ARTISTS, WALT DISNEY STUDIOS, and several independent companies.

Jerry stepped outside his partnership to write the screenplay for "JAMES DEAN: THE LEGEND," the first and only feature film biography of Dean with the cooperation of Dean's family.

Recently, Jerry co-founded Journey Productions and served as Writer, Producer, and Director for the award-winning (Houston International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, CINDY Awards, International Angel Award, C.V.M. Crown Awards [2], International Film & Television Festival of New York, CINE Golden Eagle) feature film biography "WRESTLING WITH GOD."

Jerry is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America West where he founded and currently chairs the WGA Mentor Program and is the past chairman of the New Members Committee.

JEANNE M. LANGE (Executive Producer/Producer) Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Jeanne entered the world of music and entertainment at an early age. Accepted as a piano protege by the Juilliard School of Music at age eleven and as an acting student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts at age 12, she began her life-long juggle of professional studies and academics. Valedictorian of her high school class, Jeanne's further studies include Syracuse University (pre-med and political science summa cum laude), Columbia Medical School, graduate studies in clinical psychology at the New School for Social Research, and a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Her professional stage career began on Broadway at the age of fourteen appearing with Mary Martin in "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" and she went on to star in many other New York shows including "ROMEO AND JULIET" with Jon Voight, FINISHING TOUCHES with Barbara Bel Geddes, "THE EFFECT OF GAMA RAYS" with Sada Thompson, "OLIVER," "GODSPELL" and more.

Jeanne is probably best-known as "an original GODSPELLER" and also for her Emmy-nominated portrayal as the villainous architect "Carole Lamont" on NBC's "ANOTHER WORLD." She has guest-starred in scores of television shows including "FALCONCREST," "BARNABY JONES," "KOJAK," "HART TO HART," "CHARLIE'S ANGELS" and TV movies such as "REUNION IN TERROR" with Brad Davis, "THE YANKS ARE COMING" with David Huffman, "SEX AND THE MARRIED WOMAN" with Barry Newman and "MOTHER AND DAUGHTER" With Tuesday Weld.

Her feature film work includes "THE GOODBYE GIRL," "THE FRENCH CONNECTION," "JOE" and "GETTING WASTED." Recently Jeanne starred as turn-of-the-century missionary Esther Carson Winans in the Gospel Film release, "THE CALLING," filmed entirely on locations in northern Peru and the Amazon.

Six years ago Jeanne branched out into the fields of producing and writing. Her full-length play "SYNTHESIS" is under option to Joseph Papp and she has worked as a story and scriptwriter on NBC's "SANTA BARBARA." Her one-acts and satirical sketches have been preformed all over the country for large church-related conferences and corporate seminars.

She was the co-founder and managing producer of the Advent Theatre in North Hollywood, California and is an executive officer of Chelah Productions, a film production company. "WRESTLING WITH GOD," marks her first film as Executive Producer.

JAN FRANKLIN (Supervising Producer/Art Director) is an award-winning producer, production designer and art director with an extensive background in domestic and international film and television, the music business and public relations. Her other passions include packaging and presenting personal training experiences through seminars and conferences.

Born in California, Jan moved to England in her teens and completed her education at Exeter University's Department of Theater Arts, where she was President of the Reperatory Company. After a move to London she was selected as a member of Britain's prestigious National Youth Theatre where she enjoyed all aspects of theatre production and acted as the liaison between the NYT and the Royal Family who were patrons of the foundation. Her first job was in European Casting at 20th Century-Fox (PATTON, PRIME of MISS JEAN BRODIE).

Drawn toward the entreprenurial, she managed Hatton Photographic, an international photo journalism agency representing such photograghers as Terry O'Neil (celebrity), Terry Fincher (war and conflict) and Alan Ballard (commercial).

Expanding on her abilities, she became a Press and Public Relations Officer for the venerable Rank Organization primarily overseeing the PR and press releases for Pinewood Studios. Her first opportunity to produce and write came from Signal Films on their television series, "The European Gourmet with Clement Freud."

Jan's next break was in the London office of The William Morris Agency in the music department where she was responsible for booking high profile bands on the BBC and at major rock festivals during the heyday of the English rock explosion. Her office looked into Apple Records next door. Ask her about George and his secretary.

Returning to the United States and making her way back to California, Jan enjoyed a stint as an Associate Producer at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. Her PR background and experience with clients at the agency served her well when she returned to Southern Califronia as a Public Relations/Exotic Animal Handler at Lion Country Safari in Laguna Niguel.

Finally in Los Angeles, Jan rejoined The William Morris Agency in their Beverly Hills office, working for the head of motion pictures, Robert Shapiro, and transitioning with him into independent production and his ascendency to President of Production at Warner Bros.

During her transition from administration to production, her skills as a PR manager and knowledge of Britain's Royal Family came in handy when she was hired by ICPR to organize parts of Prince Charles' visit to Hollywood.

Always drawn to the action, she jumped at the opportunity to be a part of James Goldstone Productions (director James Goldstone Winning, Red Sky at Morning, Rollercoaster, Swashbuckler) where she oversaw all facets of production from script development to post-production for the landmark 18-hour Lorimar television miniseries STUDS LONIGAN (starring Harry Hamlin, Charles Durning, Colleen Dewhurst, Mare Winningham, and Michael Keaton) and the Warner Bros. feature film WHEN TIME RAN OUT (An Irwin Allen Production, starring Paul Newman, Jacqueline Bisset, William Holden, and Burgess Meredith).

Her talent for spotting and shaping material brought her to the attention of Midsummer Productions and Viacom where she flourished in development and acquisions. Subsequently she was hired by ITC as a development executive for domestic and foreign TV and feature films.

The idea of communicating concepts that can change peoples lives has been at the root of many of her work experiences. Jan became fascinated with Context Training, a Seattle-based company providing national programs of effectiveness training for individuals and corporations and joined them as the Regional Manager for the Southwestern United States. Through her skills at marketing and her passion as a program leader and trainer, she brought the once flagging LA office to profit in less than six months.

And during all this, Jan has never abandoned her first love, the theater. She is a founding board member of the Advent Theatre in Los Angeles where, for the past 10 years, she has regularly designed sets for productions including A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BLYTHE SPIRIT, LIGHT UP THE SKY, THE FOREIGNER, HANSEL & GRETEL, NEIL SIMON'S RUMORS.