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Comedian Mark Christopher Lawrence Discusses Faith and New Role in FAMILY CAMP

Photo from Mark Christopher Lawrence’s Instagram

Comedian Mark Christopher Lawrence Discusses Faith and New Role in FAMILY CAMP

By Movieguide® Staff

Stand-up comic and CHUCK star Mark Christopher Lawrence’s most recent role was that of Pastor Dave in the faith-based comedy FAMILY CAMP.

Lawrence said that the inspiration for his portrayal of the minister came from his childhood.

“I put a little bit of my childhood pastor in him. He was funny and very gregarious and so it’s a little bit of him in there,” Lawrence told CBN’s Studio 5.

“When I read it, the first thing that hit me was, everybody can see this. It’s not beat you over your head, let me save your soul,” he added. “It’s showing these people’s journey. And then it was funny, and I like that.”

FAMILY CAMP also contains a more profound message about the importance of family, Lawrence explained.

“The biggest message is that families need to do things together. You get your families together. You go to camp. You go to church. You do these things together,” he said.

“In our society today, we are so inundated with stuff that we don’t even sit down and eat together,” he continued. “So I think, bringing that family as a cohesive unit to a place, that is exciting for everyone, I think that’s the thing.”

Lawrence said that he thanks God for his career in acting and knows that it is the career God has called him to do.

“I feel blessed that I am still here,” he said. “There are so many people that I know, who we went to school together or we met early in my career, and they are out of the game already. And every time I feel like I want to do something different, God closes the door and says, ‘No this is where I need you.’

“I did an episode of ‘Touched by an Angel’ with Della Reese and I had watched ‘Harlem Nights’ and I watched it like 20 times and I said to her, ‘You were cracking me up. I said to her, because she was a minister, ‘Did you get like push back from that?’ She goes, ‘You’re asking me because you’re wondering if you should turn down a job.’ She says, ‘Let me tell you something. God doesn’t open doors for you that He doesn’t want you to go through. You don’t know why He wants you to go and do a job, even if the part is a part that you don’t necessarily care for. He is trying to show His light and love through you to somebody that you have no idea is there. Take your job baby.'”

FAMILY CAMP is now available on DVD and for digital download.

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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.