In his youth, Tim Storey dreamed of hosting a talk show or entertaining the masses via stage or screen. But following a short stint at Fullerton College, the Whittier, California native felt God had something else in mind for him. Rather than receiving a star's top billing, Storey serves as a pastor, counselor, and mentor to Hollywood stars.
"It's very interesting how God works," Storey reveals. "I wanted to be like Bryant Gumbel (former host of The Early Show on CBS). After getting some spiritual grounding under my belt to face the types of challenges and struggles in Hollywood, I found a way to entertain and spread the Gospel at the same time."
As leader of the Hollywood Bible Study, the 42-year-old motivational speaker encourages producers, directors, musicians, actors and actresses to find fulfillment in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Participants in the upbeat worship service include well-known entertainers such as Smokey Robinson, Christian Slater, Natalie Cole, and Eriq La Salle, who played Dr. Peter Benton on NBC's ER.
Storey also assisted his fellow Whittier native, Joy Enriquez, in her transition into the entertainment industry. Enriquez, who won a Star Search competition at age 11, released her debut, self-titled album with Arista Records in September 2001 and played a recurring role on the WB series 7th Heaven last season.
"Tim has helped me more than anyone can imagine by serving as my mentor," Enriquez says. "Tim not only knows God, he also knows how to speak to artists about God."
"We're always dealing with struggles and fighting to make contacts, get parts, and sign contracts in this rough-and-tumble industry," she continues. "When we go to the Hollywood Bible Study, Tim gets us pumped with enthusiasm and lets us know God is in control of our stressful, hectic lives."
Deezer D, who plays Nurse Malik McGrath on ER, also credits the Bible study leader with turning his life around. The actor and rap star grew up in Los Angeles and turned to drugs and alcohol as teen. After joining a 12-Step rehabilitation program, his treatment centre roommate invited Deezer to attend one of Storey's presentations.
"He was applying Scriptures to your everyday life," the actor states in an interview with crosswalk.com. "He also talked about the struggles he'd been through, and that's when I knew God was real."
After growing up in a working class Southern California neighborhood, few imagined Storey would someday mingle with Hollywood's elite. His father died when he was only 10. His mother supported her four children by working in a donut shop. But before he passed away, his dad's chance encounter at a local grocery store led Storey to accept Christ as his personal Saviour.
"A checker at the King Cole Market in Anaheim invited my father to church," Storey confesses. "After going on Sunday morning, he brought all five kids to the evening service, and the entire family became Christians that night."
Although Storey entered the ministry full-time after being ordained and graduating from Costa Mesa's Southern California College (renamed Vanguard University), his flair for the dramatic and energetic personality landed him spots on several television shows. He co-hosted the 700 Club and made appearances on Leeza, Extra, and CBN's Turning Point.
In 1994, a small group of individuals in the entertainment industry asked Storey to lead a Bible study at Dyan Cannon's home. Seven people showed up. The meeting developed into the Hollywood Bible Study and grew in enrollment to 1,300 participants. Because of work commitments, the invitation-only, free event averages between 500 and 600 in attendance in a downtown Los Angeles hotel ballroom.
"We're only doing several (large scale) Bible studies a year now," he continues. "But I do a lot of home Bible studies where I meet with people one-on-one. I also go directly to the movie sets where I lead discipleship."
When the author of It's Time For Your Comeback (Harrison House, 1999) and Staying Steady in Unsteady Times (Harrison House, 2003) speaks, he not only utilizes a vast Biblical knowledge, his fast-paced delivery relates God's message of love using today's language and cultural references. Storey draws these illustrations from more than 30 magazines he reads monthly, including Rolling Stone and Newsweek.
By using relevant anecdotes, he charges audiences with excitement while spreading the message that fulfillment cannot exist without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In addition, Storey encourages his listeners to be steadfast in their faith and not to compromise.
"USA Today asked me, 'Do you really think you can change Hollywood?' " Storey says. " 'Changing all of it is really not the goal,' I answered. But if I change some people in Hollywood, then we can influence Hollywood."
Calgary Life Centre experienced Storey's upbeat message in late April when the church brought in the Californian for a three-day engagement. His ability to connect with people prompted pastor Anthony Greco to extend the invitation.
"Tim Storey makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ so attractive," Greco says. "He's magnetic to all walks of life, and his message permeates into the world of music and entertainment. The man truly ministers to people at every level."
Despite the worst spring blizzard in over 100 years, Calgary church-goers braved a foot of snow to pack both Sunday services. Many made personal decisions to become Christians, and numerous others who were complacent about their faith came forward to renew their commitment to Jesus Christ.
"It was an incredible weekend," Greco says. "Because of his message, many are getting new starts, and those who had put Christ in neutral now feel reborn."
