Actor Stephen Baldwin recently discussed an emotional encounter with Jesus and expressed gratitude for his relationship with God. Baldwin said, “True freedom, fear, focus, pride and happiness. I’ve been blessed to experience most of them in Hollywood, but now all that is left for me is Jesus, as there is nothing in this world, and I mean nothing, this world has to offer that gives the same satisfaction as salvation.”
He added, “I’ve hung out with all of the most powerful people in Hollywood, and they’re dying violent spiritual deaths every day. Me, I’m free from Hollywood, free from distraction. It’s just me and Jesus now. Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Baldwin became a Christian after years in the entertainment industry, serving his needs and focusing on money. However, he found Christ again after his family’s nanny brought his wife, Kenya, to church.
Baldwin said, “She went into prayer and Bible study regiment unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Up in the morning, on her knees, face on the ground for an hour, without flinching, up off her knees into the bed with the Bible at least 30 to 45 minutes, every morning, every night for one year.” Baldwin said he was initially unimpressed, but September 11th changed his perspective. He said, “September 11th kind of freaked me out. I said, ‘Hey, what’s this all about? My wife’s a Jesus freak. Maybe it’s time I begin thinking about this faith thing,’ Pursued it, became born again, accepted the Lord, baptized in water.”
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His conversion brought him from acting in secular movies to starring in faith-based movies, like “The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story.” Baldwin told CBN, “I’ve made about 110 films in 30 years, so the Lord is always giving me ideas. Film is so natural to me; I have to stay in touch with the Holy Spirit. I get ideas every day for, let’s say, a Christian version of CSI or Law and Order.”
Baldwin emphasized that “Christian material should be just as good as anything you’d find on Netflix and that the production quality must be up there with the very best in the business.” He continued, “We need to give it more crossover potential, make it more attractive so we can get the Gospel message across!” The actor continues to use his platform to share his faith and encourage other Christians in their walk with Christ.
Baldwin has previously shared how his relationship with Jesus gave him genuine satisfaction. The 54-year-old actor said, “My life before Christ was focused on making money. My life before Christ was a totally day-in and day-out existence that was–unbeknownst to me at the time–an existence of self-absorbance.” He continued, “I was just doing what you normally do when you’re trying to maintain a career in the movie business.”
When Stephen Baldwin put his faith in God, his outlook on his career in Hollywood changed. He said, “Loving Jesus is what’s most important to me. I know that sounds hokey, but it’s the truth. My life is God’s life in me, for Him to do with what He wants.”