Carson Lueders steps into his first feature-film leading role in Beyond Belief, a faith-filled coming-of-age drama arriving in theaters nationwide on August 28. Set in the 1980s and powered by the classic music of Christian rock legends Petra, the film follows aspiring musician Andy as tragedy forces him to reconsider his ambitions and listen for God's direction.
Officially endorsed by Petra founder Bob Hartman and lead singer John Schlitt, Beyond Belief introduces the band's message of faith, hope and perseverance to a new generation. In this exclusive interview, Lueders-an acclaimed recording artist and digital creator with 15 million followers across social media-discusses his feature-film debut, his personal connection to Andy's spiritual journey, meeting Petra and learning to trust God's timing.
Watch the trailer here.
Q: For readers who may be meeting you for the first time through Beyond Belief, can you introduce yourself and share a little about your journey into acting and music?
I've always had a passion for music since I was young, and over the years it turned into a career. It seems like it all happened so fast, but it took many years to grow to where I am now. I started guitar lessons when I was 5 yrs old, and by the time I was 10 yrs I recorded my first single in Los Angeles! I started performing at church and school, won some song contests, and launched a YouTube channel that quickly gained millions of views worldwide. I was fortunate to get in early on the cusp of the growing social media world, and that popularity brought several amazing opportunities in the music and acting industries.
Q: Beyond Belief is set in the 1980s and follows a young musician searching for purpose after tragedy. What first attracted you to the role of Andy, and what aspects of his story resonated most with you personally?
First of all, I liked the fact that it was a family- and faith-based movie, and after reading the script, I realized that it was a great fit for me. This movie is relatable to all ages, but I especially found Andy's character to be similar in ways of his passion for music, his search to make it big, but then learning how to follow God's ways and timing instead of trying to do things your own way.
Q: Faith is a major theme throughout the film. How has your own faith journey influenced the way you approached this role, and did working on the movie challenge or deepen your faith in any way?
I definitely relied on God to carry me through the challenges of filming. This was my first lead role, which involved acting out many different emotions and long hours on set.
Q: Petra's music plays a significant role in the film. Were you already familiar with Petra before joining the project, and what was it like bringing their music and message to a new generation of viewers?
My dad grew up listening to Petra's music and is still a big fan today. I became a fan of their music during filming and was excited to meet them on set while filming the battle of the bands scene.
Q: Andy spends much of the film wrestling with dreams, loss, and God's direction for his life. What do you hope audiences-especially young people facing similar questions-take away from his journey?
Life can be hard, and everyone faces unexpected challenges with family, school, career, and jobs. It's hard to understand God's calling and purpose in your life, but we must keep believing that he puts dreams and passions in all of us with the hope that we live a life that is fulfilling and that pleases Him.
Q: Looking ahead, what projects, goals, or creative ventures are you most excited about, and what can fans expect from you next.
I have new music coming, including songs that reflect more of my life journey and testimony. While I love trying new music styles, I also love a good acoustic-driven song because it can be stripped down and played live where you can feel the emotion.
