Christians_in_Hollywood

Can God lead and use a Christian in the arts, even in NYC or L.A.?

From a Christian in Hollywood

Friends,

As you know, in the summer of 2001 the Lord called me to Hollywood....
many people will rally behind you, pray for you, and support you. But you
will also run into many well meaning Christians who have no perspective on
Hollywood and what it is actually like. They won't understand this decision
and you might hear things like, "God would never call you to Hollywood,"
"Hollywood is evil, ...

Many people tend to see the negative... Yes, this is the liberal mecca of the world...

But let me paint you a different perspective that I hope encourages you and
encourages your well-meaning friends. When I was called out here - it was a
two-fold calling. I was called to work in the film industry and to work in
ministry. The Lord showed me the two were beautifully interwoven.
After a year and a half of perseverance and endurance I can tell you
truthfully and with great conviction that GOD IS MOVING IN HOLLYWOOD. I
have been working alongside other believers who share the same burden for
the entertainment industry - working in ministry alongside likeminded
people. I have seen God bring people to me who are spiritually hungry,
unfulfilled and searching and have had the privilege of building deep
friendships with them, earning their respect and being able to share the
Gospel of Christ with them.

At times, I have been walking the long lonely path - thinking I was the only
believer around, and there I would turn and the Lord would show me another
brother alongside me - and there surrounded by non-believers we would pray
for each other and encourage each other - as "iron sharpens iron."

I've seen God at work - pursuing some of our friends - shadowing them with
his love. God has burdened me to pray for certain people in our ...
and then I would see them asking questions
about God and the Bible....

I've met people at work who are longing to find fulfillment and have
questions. One guy is reading through the Bible on his own...and he's not a
believer. I believe that in due time he will discover the Living God.

In the last 2-3 years God has raised up a tremendous number of believers in
the industry and brought them together. As a result we have a Media
Fellowship International (MFI) cell - that I'm heavily involved in - that
meets on the CBS Studio Lot twice a month. There is ACT ONE, Hollywood
Bible Study, Inter-Mission, Actor's Co-op, SLATE, Premise and the Hollywood
Prayer Network. All are different ministries and fellowship groups that are
interconnected. Dyan Canon even hosts a praise and worship event a few
times a month.

In addition - there are groups that prayer walk all the major studios. I've
attended prayer walks on the Warner Bros. and Disney lots. There are also
prayer walks at CBS, ABC, NBC, Paramount, Universal, New Line, and probably
others that I'm unaware of.

Three of the animators for the Simpsons go to our church.

Last year, a producer on THE PRACTICE recommitted his life to Christ ....

There are several people from MFI working on the ABC sitcom LESS THAN
PERFECT and they unashamedly hold a prayer time for the show. And sometimes
non-believers ... join in.

I've heard stories about a Christian writer having a positive impact on the
direction of a script - an actress being led to Christ on a film set - and a
prayer warrior who had an encounter with (real) witches on the Disney lot.

... God's light is piercing the darkness. If He is calling
you to be a part of it - DO NOT FEAR. Greater is He who is in you than he
that is in the world. Do not let your hearts be troubled. When Jesus
walked the earth, he went to places that offended the religious leaders of
His day, - but He went were the need was greatest. I'm convinced He still does.

... the Lord as revealed to me that He has purposes and plans for
Hollywood, and now is a time for sowing seeds for a time to come. A
foundation is being laid and His people are being put into place. Yes - to
be effective right now - in the precious moment - but God also has far
reaching plans for the Body here as a whole. We WILL have an impact.

Christian Artistic
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