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WINSTON-SALEM ­- Many religious leaders of history, the Rev. John Jackman says, would make boring movie material.

“There is too much preaching and praying and reading of books — not very dramatic,” says Jackman, senior pastor of Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem.

Not so with the story of John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist movement.

“There’s a storm at sea, a star-crossed love affair and mob violence,” Jackman says.

Perfect fodder for a screenplay.

Jackman, who long has combined Christian ministry with film and television production, labored for seven years to turn that story into a feature film.

The head of Foundery Pictures in Lewisville, Jackman researched the story, pulled together nearly $1 million from investors, hired cast and crew, and filmed in Forsyth County.

On Saturday, Triad residents can see the finished product.

“Wesley” will premiere at the Stevens Center of the UNC School of the Arts. It will also be shown today through Thursday at Ayrsley Grand Cinemas in Charlotte.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see how well the final project turned out and how much talent was brought together on screen,” Jackman says.

That talent includes screen legends and local actors seen in other recent films.

Burgess Jenkins of Winston-Salem played John Wesley, and R. Keith Harris of Greensboro portrayed his brother, Charles. Jenkins’ credits include the film “Remember the Titans” and TV’s “One Tree Hill.” Harris appeared in films “Big Fish” and “Junebug.”

Television legend June Lockhart (“Lassie,” “Lost in Space”) plays their mother. Golden Globe winner Kevin McCarthy (“Death of a Salesman,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”) is Bishop Ryder, who defends John Wesley against attempts to defrock him.

Bruce Kiesling, former resident conductor of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, who now leads two California orchestras, composed the music for the film and recruited local orchestra musicians.

The Choral Society of Greensboro and the Greensboro Youth Chorus contributed vocals.

The film featured 76 speaking parts and more than 160 extras, making it one of the largest low-budget films to be produced locally. The two-hour biopic focuses on John Wesley’s early life and struggles that lead to spiritual transformation, and to radical changes in 18th-century England’s ministries to the poor.

John Wesley’s younger brother, Charles, became one of history’s most prolific hymn writers.

“John (Jackman) has put blood, sweat and tears into it and has really come up with a good product,” says Harris, who played Charles Wesley.

John Wesley’s life “wasn’t the stereotypical story — bad person finds religion, gets converted, becomes good person,” Jackman says.

“Instead, we find a very religious person who outwardly does everything that the world and the church regard as good. ... But he really is driven by fear. ... It isn’t until his life falls apart that he finds what he’s really looking for.”

The action begins in 1732, when John Wesley travels from England to Georgia to evangelize the natives. When the ship encounters a violent storm, John and Charles are astonished to see its Moravian missionaries calmly conducting their service.

Once in Georgia, John Wesley falls in love with Sophy Hopkey (Carrie Anne Hunt of Charlotte), an affair that ends in a bitter lawsuit. He returns in shame to England, struggles with failure and fears and finally reaches peace.

His work leads to founding shelters for battered women and children, recovery groups for alcoholics, free medical clinics and, ultimately, to the movement to abolish slavery.

Filming the story posed another set of challenges. Jackman, photography director Arledge Armenaki and producers Lovinder S. Gill and Geoff Thompson had to produce an ambitious movie on a small budget.

It required a huge number of costumes, wigs, horses and carriages — and a square-rigged ship in a storm.

They built a 35-foot section of ship deck and a massive bluescreen, and used computer-generated animation to create storm scenes.

Luckily, authentic locations were within easy reach. Old Salem, Salem Academy, Salem College, Bethabara Park and Graylyn Conference Center became 18th-century Savannah, London and Oxford.

Keith Harris prepared in part for his role by reading years of Charles Wesley’s journals online. “It was amazing insight,” he says.

Harris and Jenkins will be among the actors attending Saturday’s premiere in Winston-Salem. Jackman doesn’t expect Lockhart or McCarthy. But those actors who attend will greet guests and sign autographs afterward.

Jackman plans screenings in January and February in Greensboro and several other states.

He’s also in talks with distributors, hoping to find one that will put “Wesley” in theaters nationwide.

Contact Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane at 373-5204 or dawn.kane@news-record.com