Despite a pandemic release date, Jon Erwin's I Still Believe is bringing people to know God from their couches rather than their theatre seats.

The true-life story of Jeremy Camp shared on film was released in theatres March 13, just two days after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic, Christian Headlines reports.

I Still Believe co-director Jon Erwin says the Jeremy Camp biopic release circumstances weren't ideal but appreciates the irony of releasing the film, which focuses on overcoming a variety of difficulties, in the middle of a global pandemic.

"Life is full of things that you can't control and things that don’t go according to plan," says Erwin. "It's sort of fitting."

On the film's opening night, I Still Believe finished in the number one spot, dropping to number three over the weekend. One week later, movie theatres had been closed.

But a pandemic may have been the most fitting circumstances to release the moving biopic. Depicting musician Jeremy Camp's marriage to his first wife, Melissa, who died from cancer, I Still Believe has been a movie for people to lean on in the middle of lockdown, beyond its entertainment value.

"We keep hearing stories of people coming to faith in Christ or being encouraged by the movie or finding hope while watching the movie," Erwin says.

The movie has been released alongside companion books and study guides. Erwin hopes churches, small groups, friends, and families will take this time during the pandemic to dive into the major themes explored in the movie of faith, prayer, and love.

"The film is designed to give people hope and give people a glimpse of the power of the gospel and the change that it can have in your life," Erwin says.

"It is meant to create discussions at the local level. People need hope, people need the gospel. That's why we do what we do."

Despite the circumstances that turned I Still Believe's release into a home movie, Erwin is grateful to see its impact.

"I'm glad we got the movie out."