...at Hollywood Prayer Network's 25th Anniversary Banquet
I've known about Hollywood Prayer Network since it started 25 years ago, and I accidentally spoke with Karen Covell, the founder, sometime before April 11, 2003. I know this, because I was trying to call David Schall, who co-founded Actor's Co-op, Inter-Mission, and Act One: Writing for Hollywood. David had started New York City chapters of Inter-Mission and Actor's Co-op. He also facilitated a few Act One workshops in NYC.
I can't recall why I was calling for him at the LA office of Actor's Co-op, but Karen answered the phone. I found out last night that HPN still has their office on the Hollywood Presbyterian campus that still hosts Actor's Co-op and Inter-Mission. I'd performed with five members of Actor's Co-op in Judah Ben Hur, a musical in Singapore from October 2001 to February 2002, so I'd heard wonderful things about Karen and Hollywood Prayer Network, which had just gotten started. When she told me who she was I told her all the wonderful things I'd heard, and I'm sure we chatted for more than half an hour... accidentally. I came away refreshed and encouraged, and I'm pretty sure we closed by praying for each other!
I know that happened before April 11, 2003, because that's the day David Schall died of a massive heart attack, having just pulled into the parking lot of Actor's Co-op to perform in the opening night of Uncle Vanya.
After that, the NYC chapters of Inter-Mission and Actor's Co-op quickly disbanded.
After that, the NYC chapters of Inter-Mission and Actor's Co-op quickly disbanded.
I was so blessed to share that story at Hollywood Prayer Network's 25th Anniversary Gala last night at the Hephzibah House and to share how wonderful it's been that their NYC chapter is off to a roaring start, with prayer at the heart!
I was also invited to lead in prayer, and this is a recording of that prayer:
