A remarkable faith story involving Chris Pratt’s 14-year-old son is capturing attention after Christian commentators Billy Hallowell and Raj Nair discussed how the teenager is now encouraging his mother, actress Anna Faris, to accept Jesus Christ.
In a recent video discussion, Hallowell and Nair unpacked Faris’ revelation that her son, Jack, whom she shares with ex-husband Pratt, has developed religious beliefs that differ significantly from her own. But what makes the story particularly striking is its full-circle nature: The child Pratt once desperately prayed God would save is now pointing his own mother toward the Savior.
During an appearance on Chelsea Handler’s “Dear Chelsea” podcast, Faris revealed that Jack is religious, while she did not grow up religious.
“He’s asked me to accept Jesus Christ [as my savior],” Faris told Handler, according to People. “And I told him I would do anything for him, including this, but it’s going to take a whole lot of long conversations.”
Faris also described Jack as “impressive,” noting that she can challenge him with difficult questions about his beliefs.
For Hallowell, Jack’s faith is particularly significant because of what happened shortly after his birth.
Jack was born prematurely in 2012 and faced serious medical complications. Pratt has spoken openly about crying out to God while his newborn son was in the neonatal intensive care unit, an experience he says cemented his faith.
“Chris Pratt made this deal with God when his son was, you know, sick in the hospital, and it could have gone either way,” Hallowell said in the video discussion. “He felt God saved his son. He really believed that.”
To order Travis Johnson’s new book, [Un]Embarrassed of Jesus, visit Amazon.com.
Pratt himself previously told The Christian Post that he “prayed hard to God” during Jack’s medical crisis and asked God for grace.
“He really saved my son, and that was the moment [my faith] was cemented,” Pratt said. “My heart softened, and my faith hardened.”
Now, years later, the son at the center of those desperate prayers is talking to his mother about Jesus.
Nair was especially encouraged by Jack’s willingness to share his beliefs openly. Characterizing the heart behind Jack’s approach to his mother, Nair imagined it this way: “You know what? I love God, Mom. I love you. Put two and two together. Let’s talk about Jesus.”
Nair described Jack’s boldness as an example of “courageous faith” and pointed to Acts 4:12, which declares that salvation is found in no other name.
Nair also offered direct encouragement to Faris: “Press in.”
“I would say ask, seek, knock,” he continued.
Hallowell likewise praised Faris for being willing to engage with her son despite their differing beliefs.
“This is a good model for how we interact in families where there’s disagreement and how we interact as Christians with non-Christians even,” Hallowell said.
There is something remarkable about the trajectory of Jack’s story. A father once cried out to God for his premature baby boy. Years later, that boy is old enough to articulate his own faith and bold enough to share Jesus with his mother.
Faris has not indicated that she has embraced Christianity. But she has left the door open for more conversations.
And sometimes, a conversation is where the seed begins.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
