Christian Organizations Active and Busy in Hollywood
by Stan Williams, Ph.D.
As appeared at http://www.CatholicExchange.com on 5/31/02
Some years ago I was hired to direct
a training video near Hollywood, CA. We hired local crew and actors, two of
whom invited my producer and me to an Inter-Mission meeting where Christians in
the entertainment industry got together to network. I went expecting to see
only a couple of dozen insecure, unemployed Bible-heads sitting around
groveling over stale donuts.
But, when we walked into the Henrietta Mears auditorium at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood I was both shocked and delighted. Suddenly we found ourselves among a crowd of nearly 600 astute professionals sitting down to dinner and a presentation by a well-known producer. I went on to discover that there are thousands of Christians in the industry, many of who see themselves as missionaries. Even more surprising was the other parachurch organizations who have ministries to select segments of the industry. As Victorya Michaels Rogers describes them: "Their missions vary, but their common thread is to offer spiritual guidance and emotional support in an industry filled with rejection, dissolution, competition and temptation."
Here is a list of those
organizations. It's important for three reasons. First, if you or someone you
know wants to get involved in the industry, these organizations are a good
place to start for advice and support. Second, if you are led to pray for
Christians in Hollywood these are the people to pray for. Each organization
plays an important role in helping change the world by changing Hollywood.
Third, as you're able, send a donation. These are true missionary endeavors
that rely on contributions for their sustained and valuable ministry.
UPDATE: Here are two links to more updated list of organizations than the list in the article below:
http://www.inter-mission.net/links.html.
Act One: Writing for Hollywood runs a month-long workshop designed to train future
generations of Christian film and TV screenwriters. 1760 N. Gower Street,
Hollywood, CA 90028. Ph: 888-526-9287. Contact: Barbara Nicolosi, Marianne
Savell, Kelly Pinkham: ActOne@fpch.org - Website: http://www.actoneprogram.com
Actors Co-Op is an award-winning, professional theatre company with two
Equity-approved theatres on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of
Hollywood. 1760 N. Gower Street,
Hollywood, CA 90028. Ph: 888-526-9287. Contact Gary Reed: greed@fpch.org, Nan
McNamara: nmcnamara@fpch.org - Website: http:// www.actorscoop.org
Associates in Media provides spiritual development, resources/ministry for
industry professionals through small-group Bible studies, spiritual warfare
counseling, and outreach events. 2113
N. Evergreen Street, Burbank, CA 91505. Ph: 818-558-4025. Contact Mike Chapman
- rmchapman@earthlink.net or Michelle Suh - hollyweird@surfbest.net
Catholics in Media conducts annual film awards for projects that uphold
Christian values. 12400 Ventura Blvd.,
PMB228, Studio City, CA 91604. Ph: 818.907.2734. Contact Ann Furia:
CIMA2734@aol.com
Christian Entertainers
Fellowship runs monthly bible study
meeting for actors, musicians/singers and athletes. P.O. Box 8234, Northridge, CA 91327. Ph: 818-363-7945.
Contact Ollie Brown: OllieMusic@earthlink.net
Christians and Media organizes conferences across the country helping
Christians become equipped for a career in entertainment.13800 Biola Ave., La
Mirada, CA 90639-0001. Ph: 866-334-2266. Contact Josh White: cam@biola.edu -
Website: http://www.christiansandmedia.org
Christian Film & Television
CommissionÔ
is an advocacy group dedicated to imbuing
entertainment media with Christian values by working with media executive and
informing Christians and the public with publications and media how to be
media-wise. Their monthly movie review magazine is MOVIEGUIDEÒ. 2510-G Las
Posas Rd., Camarillo, CA 93010. Order line: 800-899-6684. Bus. Ph:
805-383-2000. Contact Ted Baehr: movieguide@CompuServe.com
- Website: www.movieguide.org
GPDC&U – God’s
Party with Dyan Cannon & You is a
weekly Saturday night party featuring live bands, dancing, and teaching. Office: 8306 Wilshire Blvd. #1681, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
Ph: 310-470-6404. Party Location: GMT Studios, 5751 Buckingham Parkway, Culver
City, Ca 90230. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Live Music kicks off at 7:30 pm. Contact
Marilee: godsparty@cs.com - Website: http://gpdcandu.com
Hollywood Prayer Network is a nationwide appeal to pray for all aspects of the
entertainment industry. Monthly prayer requests, praises, updates and news are
made via email. 1760 N. Gower Street,
Hollywood, CA 90028. Ph: 323-462-8460 x304. Contact Karen Covell or Scott
Erdman: hollywoodprayernet@earthlink.net - Website:
http://hollywoodprayernetwork.org
Inter-Mission in Hollywood hosts 4 to 6 major events each year featuring industry
professionals, Third Thursday (a
monthly industry cafe), a variety of professional seminars, spiritual retreats,
a national day of prayer focused on the industry and a classified service for
jobs/housing. 1760 N. Gower Street,
Hollywood, CA 90028. Ph: 888-526-9287. Contact David Schall or Brenda Salmon:
imlanyc@aol.com - Website: http://www.inter-mission.net
Inter-Mission in New York City
- Ph: 917-584-7115 Contact Stan Blair:
imnyc@mail.com
Inter-Mission in the Twin
Cities - Ph: 763-476-7665. Contact Alan
Johnson: vagabondent@compuserve.com
Los Angeles Film Studies Center is an intense semester long Hollywood study program for
students from a Council for Christian Colleges campus. 3800 Barham Blvd., Suite 202, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Ph:
323-882-6224. Contact Doug Briggs lafsc@bestsemester.com - Website:
http://www.bestsemester.com
Mastermedia International is a ministry to entertainment executives through
counseling and small group support meetings. 330 North Sixth Street, Suite 110, Redlands, CA 92374. Ph:
909-335-7353. Contact Dr. Larry Poland info@mastermediaintl.com - Website:
http://www.mastermediaintl.com
Media Fellowship Int’l is a bi-monthly Bible study that meets at CBS Studio City
at 4024 Radford in Studio City. Contact
Phillip Boland . Ph: 626-486-3333 - MediaFellowship@earthlink.net
Open Call (Catholic) meets at St. Paul the Apostle Church at 10750 Ohio Ave. LA
--6 times a year. Division of Paulist
Productions, 17575 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Ph:
310-454-0688 Office. Contact Fr. Frank Desidario opencall17575@aol.com -
Website: http://www.paulistproductions.org
Premise runs a monthly prayer group for writers, producers,
directors, entertainment lawyers and literary agents and occasional
professional seminars, retreats and parties. Email: info@premise.org - Website: http://www.Premiseonline.org
SLATE Entertainment Fellowship is an organization committed to fellowship, networking,
education and advancement for Christians in Hollywood. Bel Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive, Los
Angeles, CA 90049. Ph: 818-557-8507. Contact John Ware info@slate1.tv -
Website: http://www.slate1.tv
StoreyDreams Foundation - Tim Storey, sometimes referred to as pastor to the stars,
runs an invitation-only monthly Bible study for entertainment professionals.
P.O. Box 1428, Whittier, CA 90609. Ph:
562) 902-1590. Contact: Elisabeth Celaya info@timstorey.com - Website:
http://timstorey.org
The Underground is a monthly coffeehouse featuring an eclectic blend of
handpicked live music and gallery artists. Styles range from folk/pop to
alternative/rock, jazz and blues. 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028.
Ph: 323-526-2916 24-hour Info Line. Contact David or Beth Grecu
the_undergrounds@yahoo.com - Website: http://www.theundergrounds.org
Thrilling Life was founded by Victorya Michaels Rogers, a former
Hollywood agent, provides seminars, speakers, books, media and newsletters for
Christians who want to get involved in the industry. My thanks to her Spring
2002 Newsletter for assistance in updating the above list. Website: http://www.thrillinglife.com.
© Copyright
2002 Stan Williams
(Dr. Stan Williams is Executive Producer and Managing Director
for SWC Films, an independent feature film development company seeking
investment partners. He can be reached at Stan@StanWilliams.com.)