Most churches are content to provide Sunday school classes, Bible studies and weekend services.

Not many hire Hollywood actors and producers to make a feature-length film aimed at a non-churchgoing audience.

World Revival Church in Kansas City did just that with Three Blind Saints, a family-friendly romantic comedy film that premieres in December 2011.

“I wanted to take attitudes I have developed toward church, life and God and share them with other people to help them,” says Steve Gray, the pastor of the church, and writer, executive producer and composer of the soundtrack for the film. “If I did it just through churches, many people would never hear the message. I needed a different way to speak to them.”

That way was a film that portrays the good and the ugly of typical church life in a humorous and ultimately hopeful and entertaining way.

“I wanted to say things about church that relate to both sides of the fence, those who think church is great and those who think it’s not," Gray says. "I thought if we could laugh at these things together, maybe we could build a bridge. Seeing the weaknesses and crazy things in the church lets the rest of the world know I get what they’re saying. I also wanted the church world to see there’s a good reason for not giving up on this.”

After circulating his script among professional writers he knew, Gray and more than 200 volunteers from his church put together a plan to do what many said was impossible: make a feature film locally.

Their first big decision was to hire recognizable actors, a seasoned Hollywood producer and experienced crew so the quality would be top-notch. Starring in the film are Richard Speight, Jr., who previously appeared in HBO's Band of Brothers, films such as Independence Day and Thank You for Smoking, network dramas such as The Agency, Jericho and Supernatural, and the current Pepsi Max national ad campaign; Stelio Savante from Ugly Betty and A Beautiful Mind ; and Barry Corbin who has appeared in The Closer, Northern Exposure and No Country for Old Men. Gray also hired a professional crew, including Emmy-nominated sound designer Dean Andre.

“As an independent producer, I could have easily stuck with unknowns and made the budget low,” Gray says. “But we chose to hire Screen Actors Guild actors and other professionals so people would take the film seriously. I was kind of petrified that this might turn out to be a joke or low quality.”

His other upgrade: humor. Even as the number of films made by Christians increases, few stray from the drama genre and well-worn plots. Gray’s idea was to create a story that went for laughs more than lessons, while still offering hope.

Three Blind Saints was shot on location in Kansas City and crewed by a blended team of Hollywood pro's and local novices and volunteers.

It wasn't immediately clear that the two groups would get along.

“You could feel the suspicion in the air” as the intense 18-day shooting schedule began, Gray says. “We were all standing together in a meeting deciding who does what.”

But as work began, the suspicions melted away. Brad Wilson, who produced films for Robert Duvall’s film company for 11 years, was part of Lonesome Dove, Days of Thunder and Falling Down, and is now a producer with Moonglow Films, says Three Blind Saints was one of the best experiences he’s ever had making a film.

“Talk about all hands on deck,” Wilson says. “They have a great group of support there. The thing that surprised me most was their endless energy and enthusiasm. After 18 hours, I’d be dragging and they’d still be ready to go.”

Actor Speight admits to being “completely thrown off at first” by the idea of working with church volunteers to make a major film.

“I still am stunned they were able to pull it off,” he says. “To get volunteers to work that hard for that many hours — it was awesome. Everybody had such a positive energy about the project, which made for a really pleasant set to be on. I believe that will play on screen. You’ve got to love being there, and everybody loved being there. I’m glad they chose me to be part of this because I really enjoyed the process.”

Three Blind Saints tells the story of three troublemakers who find themselves doing community service in a local church — and getting caught up in romance, local scandal and clashing purposes.

The result is “a family-friendly romantic comedy that reminds me of Bruce Almighty meets O Brother Where art Thou?” says actor Speight. “The lead guys go on this journey of discovery within the context of comedy. It’s not heavy-handed. There is a message there if you want to get it, but it’s also a great film to pop on the DVD player or go to theater to see. You can sit back, relax and not worry about anything being offensive.”

Producer Wilson says it has always bothered him that most faith-based movies suffer from inferior quality. Not this one.

“All the way through it was important to Steve that the quality was maintained and it didn’t look like a regular faith-based movie,” Wilson says. “We wanted it to hold up with mainstream movies in its quality, script and acting.”

They accomplished that, and as the film goes through final edits Wilson is “thrilled” with how it’s coming together. “It’s looking better than I’d even anticipated,” he says. “I’ve done a lot of faith-based films, and the most effective ones are like this where someone can go into a theater and not know what kind of movie it is. They’ll be entertained and have fun, and there’s a great message woven in there and not hitting them over the head. These films are a great ministry because it’s not preaching to the choir. It reaches people who don’t get the message on a regular basis.”

The original plan was to go directly to DVD and distribute it through Netflix. Now ambitions have broadened to a limited theatrical release in early 2012 and a December premiere at Kansas City’s AMC Mainstreet Theater in the Power & Light District.

“It was exciting to be part of such a thing, being around the actors, realizing this was really happening,” says first-time director John Eschenbaum, who also is the church’s media director. “This is a pioneering movie. It’s great quality, shot well, good editing and sound, and it appeals to everyone. There was such a sense of accomplishment when we sat back and said, ‘Look what we did that was much bigger than us. We had no right even being part of making a movie. But we did it.’”

Gray says the experience changed him.

“I’d say it’s done something to me,” he says. “To watch the movie, laugh and realize our message is more universal than maybe we’ve given it credit for. If we and other churches can make films that are God-positive and reach beyond our own borders, people are going to be entertained no matter what.”

As Speight promises, with Three Blind Saints “audiences will be getting a heck of a fun ride. It’s a super-entertaining film. I guarantee you’ll have a great time.”

To learn more, and for media access, please contact Elizabeth McKinley Tuttle at elizabeth@wrckc.com or 816-410-1368.