The Robertson family of Duck Dynasty has shared Jesus Christ with millions. But it wouldn’t have happened without the courage of a single pastor who shared the Gospel with family patriarch Phil Robertson.
Willie Robertson is the son of Phil and Kay Robertson, and brother to Jase, Al and Jep. According to Willie, the Robertson clan would look very different today if it wasn’t for an Arkansas pastor who, in the 1970s, drove across state lines to share the Gospel with Phil.
The story is depicted in the Christian biographical film The Blind: The True Story of the Robertson Family. It details the lives of Phil and Kay Robertson. It follows them from childhood through marriage, portraying their deep struggles as a young family and ultimately concluding with Phil’s salvation and the family’s restoration.
“After we came out with The Blind last year about Phil and Kay’s life, I thought, ‘What if that hadn’t happened? What if that guy didn’t go up there and preach the Gospel out of fear?’” Willie reflected to the Christian Post, adding,
Dad had not become a Christian. He’d already kicked us out, so we knew where it was headed. It was heading towards divorce for sure, split up family. When you take that out of the mix, there would have been no Duck Commander, there would have been no company, there would have been no Duck Dynasty. I don’t even know if I would be a believer today.
Willie is the author of the newly released book Gospeler: Turning Darkness into Light One Conversation at a Time.
The Blind was released last year to great box office success – earning over $16.8 million in ticket sales.
You can watch a trailer for the film below:
The true story of the courageous pastor and the Robertson clan reminds us to be bold about our faith in Jesus Christ.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16, ESV).
The Lord was able to work through one faithful preacher to save Phil Robertson, and by extension the entire Robertson family, and now thousands more.
As we go through our daily lives, we should try to listen to promptings of the Holy Spirit, ready for Him to work in the hearts and minds of those around us.
You never know how the Lord could work through just one conversation to draw people to Him – if only we’re willing to listen to Him and share our faith.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV).
You can read Focus on the Family’s Plugged In movie review of The Blind by clicking here.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Phil and Kay Robertson recently appeared on an episode of the Focus on the Family Broadcast “Hunting for Hope and Happiness” to share their inspiring story of love and redemption. You can listen to them reflect on their tumultuous first years of marriage, and how God transformed their relationship, by clicking here.
Related articles and resources:
Hunting for Hope and Happiness
Celebrating Christmas as a Family
Embracing God’s Grace for a Past Abortion
Finding Peace of Mind in Christ
Duck Dynasty Film ‘The Blind’ Hits Home Theaters After Record-Breaking $16.8 Million Release
Photo from Getty Images.
