April 18, 2025
By Danica McKellar
Three years ago this week, I walked into a church with Candace Cameron Bure and walked out forever changed.
It was Palm Sunday, the day Christians commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem—the beginning of Holy Week and a powerful reminder of hope, salvation, and the love of a King who came to serve. That morning in 2022, I didn’t know it yet, but I was about to begin a faith journey that would transform my heart, my purpose, and my entire perspective on life.
As I sat in that church watching the Passion Play, I felt an overwhelming rush of emotion—something deeper than I’d ever experienced. It was like my heart opened in an instant, and God rushed in. I was flooded with joy, with clarity, and with a peace that felt like coming home after being lost. It was an awakening—both intellectual and emotional—and it changed everything.
I had always believed in something, some higher power. I even sensed there was more to life than what science alone could explain. But I’ll admit I carried biases against Christianity. Growing up, I’d been exposed to negative stereotypes of Christians, and I associated Christianity with judgement of others, uptight religious rules and cruel wars like the Inquisition.
After some financial hardships, my dad found the Lord about 30 years ago… he seemed happier, more at peace, and I was bewildered but certainly happy for him. But, I didn’t understand what it all meant, until I did. And once I did, I couldn’t un-know that love. That truth. That freedom. The Passion Play showed me that the “good news” of the gospel tells us our relationship with God is in no way dependent on religious practices. In fact, in many ways, Jesus was anti-religion! This intellectual revelation paired with the Holy Spirit flooding my soul resulted in a complete transformation.
For three years now, I’ve been walking with the Lord. I’ve grown in my faith, in my understanding, and in my joy. In everything I do, I want to make Jesus proud. It brings such peace. There’s a verse in Philippians that talks about “the peace that surpasses understanding,” and I can honestly say I’ve experienced that peace. It’s a calm and a buoyancy that wasn’t there before. It’s a freedom from anxiety and fear. It’s a relationship with the God who made me.
Through my work with Great American Family and Great American Pure Flix, I now have the joy of sharing my faith through storytelling—creating and acting in movies that not only entertain, but uplift, encourage, and point people toward the light. Every script, every scene, every moment is another chance to share the hope that transformed my life.
I pray that the joy I feel in Christ will overflow into my work, into my relationships, and into the lives of others. My greatest hope is that I can help lead others to discover the same love I’ve found. Because once you know Him—once you feel that rush of joy—you can’t keep it to yourself.
Here’s to three years of walking with the Lord, and a lifetime still to come. 💕
With love and gratitude,
Danica McKellar
Leave a Reply