I have lately been ministering in the Houston area. But I send warm greetings to all my friends and neighbors around Livingston and Segno.
In recent years, a lot of famous people have become Christians. These days, when most celebrities are so self-centered and hedonistic, it is important to know which of them stand up for God and provide wholesome entertainment. Though I cannot necessarily vouch for their lifestyles or depth of commitment, here are a few of the well-known celebrities who profess faith in Jesus Christ:
Glen Campbell says that he prayed all his life, but he suffered from alcohol abuse and broken marriages until truly committing himself to the Lord a few years ago. Now he is a faithful member of a Baptist church in Phoenix.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans became Christians decades ago. Dale was raised in church, but was a Hollywood singer and actress before she truly accepted Christ. Roy told her that that was all right for her, but not to expect him to join her. Roy loved to visit sick children in hospitals wherever he went. He always wondered how God could allow the innocent to suffer, and held it against him. Nevertheless, The Holy Spirit touched Roy's heart and he was converted not long after Dale. I will say more about Roy and Dale in Part 2.
Everyone knows that Pat Boone is a Christian. But as I have heard the story, Pat went with movie star Joanne Dru to witness to her husband, singer Dick Haymes, on his deathbed, where he accepted Christ.
Other movie stars who are Christians include Rhonda Fleming; Mickey Rooney; Clifton Davis; Jane Russell; Dean Jones, who appeared in so many great Disney movies like "The Love Bug" and "The Shaggy D.A."; and actress and model Jennifer O'Neill.
In television, we have Demond Wilson ("Lamont Sanford"); Donna Douglas ("Ellie May Clampett"); "Rerun" from "What's Happening?"; Nancy Stafford of "Matlock"; MASH's Gary Burghoff ("Radar O'Reilly"); singer/dancer/actress Carol Lawrence, once married to Robert Goulet; Lisa Whelchel of "The Facts of Life"; and David Suchet, who plays Hercule Poirot on the PBS series "Mystery."
Gavin McLeod, Captain Stubing on "The Love Boat," and his wife now have their own show on TBN.
Singer Noel Paul Stookey of "Peter, Paul, and Mary" became a Christian at the height of the group's fame, and wrote his famous wedding song with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
After getting saved, country singer Barbara Fairchild quit singing and concentrated on going to church. But one day her husband told her, "When I first met you, you were the sweetest person I'd ever known. But since you got religion you're the most selfish wretch I've ever seen." He said, "If every time a person becomes a Christian, he or she refuses to go where the people don't know about God, who's going to tell them?" (Guideposts, July 1991).
Sometimes Christians focus too much on their own needs and spiritual development and become self-centered. Barbara realized that this had happened to her, and got busy again.
Other well-known musicians who are Christians include Philip Bailey, once lead singer for "Earth, Wind, and Fire"; Glen Leonard of the Temptations; Willie Lewis of "The Platters"; Smokey Robinson; James Brown; and Broadway star Jody Benson, who was the voice of "The Little Mermaid."
Cartoonist Johnny Hart, who draws the popular comic strip "B.C.," is apparently a devout Christian, judging from the content of many of his strips.
In Part 2, I will mention a lot more celebrities, sports figures in particular, who profess Christ as Savior.
Copyright 1996 Paul A. Hughes
Last updated September 1996. For more information, comments, or suggestions, write RevHughes@aol.com.