Star of 'God's Not Dead 2' opens up about powerful journey that led him to God

Jesse Metcalfe finds God in rehab

Star of the upcoming feature film, "God's Not Dead 2," Jesse Metcalfe opens up about his journey to God and a better life.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Faith is really important to me," expressed Metcalfe during an interview with FOX411. "I really discovered a connection with a higher power and with God, as I understand him, probably five years ago when I got sober through the 12 steps of Alcoholic Anonymous."

Known for his previous "more hunky roles" in "Desperate Housewives," "Dallas" and "John Tucker Must Die," Metcalfe steps out of his comfort zone after finding sobriety to play a lawyer in the sequel to the popular "God's Not Dead" series.

"It's a deeper more intellectual role with a greater responsibility," he stated. "Discovering my own faith and my own connection with God, I brought some of that emotional foundation to the character so the character would be really connected and really fighting for something on a deeper level and that the emotion would come through. It was a lot of preparation."

"God's Not Dead 2," also starring Melissa Joan Hart and Robin Givens, follows the story of a public school teacher "whose Christian faith and career come under attack" after answering a question about Jesus during a lesson.

"I do a lot of writing about fatherless daughters; I grew up without my dad," Givens eplained. "I think that role is so important and in many respects God has sort of been the only father I know. I can't imagine not having that belief in my life. It has been the thing that I have leaned on a daily basis so it's very important to me."

According to Metcalfe, God was a big part of his recovery in rehab. He prayed a lot and learned to give his life over to God.

"I'm hoping the film brings us closer together and unites us as a people and as Americans instead of being something that people call upon to further divide us," stated Metcalfe. "There are so many different belief systems in the world and specifically in our country and I think we pride ourselves as a nation. on diversity and on tolerance."

"I think the basic takeaway is that faith is important to having a well-rounded life and to the human experience as a whole. You have to have some spiritual foundation to your life."

"God's Not Dead 2" will be released into theaters on April 1.