Actor Jamie Foxx has opened up about his Christian faith ahead of his new film release.

Just Mercy, set to be released in January tells the true story of civil rights defence attorney Bryan Stevenson who fought to free a condemned prison on death row.

Foxx, who grew up regularly attending church in Texas spoke to The Christian post ahead of the movie and criticised those who use their faith to create division.

He explained that church was a very large part of his life growing up, as he spent several days a week there and played piano for worship services but struggled to see Christ modelled in the actions of congregation members.

"What I found odd though, the people that went to church treated me bad exactly when I would go on the other side of the tracks," he told the Christian Post.

He recalled how the treatment he received left him wanting to "separate" himself from his church family.

Foxx says his grandmother was influential in teaching him the Bible and encouraging him to seek authentic faith in Jesus that promotes unity and inclusivity.

The star now hosts his own church services at his home where he champions the message that God's love and mercy is available to all.

"I've always had this vision, and I've done it in certain things where I have people come to my house and we have church at my house, not shown on television or anything like that. But my idea is that at a certain point, black church, white church, Hispanic, everybody goes to church together.

"I think when that very religion, which is supposed to take us to a beautiful place, becomes a tool to divide, that's where you leave people sort of [disillusioned], he said.