Actor Stephen Baldwin has had a rough year. Last a homeless man he’d allowed to live in a cottage on his property was arrested for dealing heroin, and the Baldwins have filed for bankruptcy.
The latest buzz surrounding Baldwin comes after a ministry set up a “privately funded and managed” website asking fans to donate to help restore the actor’s finances so that he can continue ministry.

Much of Baldwin’s financial problems stemmed from his decision, after becoming a Christian, to be very selective in his choice of roles. No cursing, no adulterous or sexually provacative scenes. In other words, work pretty much dried up.
After his “come to Jesus” experience, Baldwin was very vocal about his faith. He went on the “Celebrity Apprentice” and butted heads with Piers Morgan. He spent time in the jungle on “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here,” and baptized Spencer Pratt in a river.
He was even active in a group that in 2006 protested a sex shop that planned to open in Nyack, NY.
Baldwin’s outspoken, bold and sometimes just goofy personality, coupled with his decision to only take roles that are in line with his faith, haven’t made him a hot item in Hollywood or offered him many opportunities for work. So in the past 8 years, his pre-Christ standard of living has met his post-Christ finances, and viola. Bankrupcty.
That’s not to criticize. That’s just life. It happens to everyone. You buy a house, a car, you have a job, that changes and before long if things don’t pick up you find yourself owing more than you have.
He’s done some acting, written a couple of books, and continued to talk about Jesus at every opportunity.
What some have been criticizing is RestoreStephenBaldwin.org’s mission to get people to donate money to help Baldwin out of his financial hole.
In an interview with Popeater.com, Stephen Baldwin talks about the RestoreStephenBaldwin.org website, explaining that he didn’t initiate it, doesn’t expect anything from it, and isn’t involved with it. But if they raise money for him, he’ll take it.
You know what I think about that?
I don’t have a problem with it.
What the ministry is doing isn’t any different than when groups hold fundraisers for organizations or for families in need. If the folks behind RestoreStephenBaldwin.org feel called to help the Baldwins out so they can continue their ministry, then who are we to judge that?
And there’s no question Baldwin has a ministry. He’s been vocal in Hollywood about Christ. He’s reached out to skaters and teens. He’s lived the life Jesus called us to, and done it in front of television cameras and a chorus of people mocking him. I mean, think about it. Who among us would invite a homeless person to stay in our guest house?
In the Popeater.com interview, Baldwin explains that while the current fundraiser is for him, the folks behind the site hope to continue to help other Christians who are battling financial troubles because of their stand for Christ. He mentions nurses who recently refused to assist with abortions, for example. If they lost their jobs, the ministry would reach out to help them.
I’m not endorsing the site but I’m also not criticizing it. Like any Christian ministry, it’s important for us to be Berean, to investigate it, to see if their mission is in line with Christ’s, and to also understand that just because we don’t feel called to be involved doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong.
After you check out the site, I’d love to know what you think! You can also learn more about Stephen Baldwin on his website.
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