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When God is Your Publicist

When God is Your Publicist

By Lyndee Fletcher, Contributing Writer

I pray about it. I really do. It turns out that God has very good taste!”

What happens when you let God be your publicist? You become one of the most sought after talents in Hollywood. Or at least that was the case for David Oyelowo. Oyelowo played Martin Luther King Jr. in SELMA as well as supporting roles in RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, Lee Daniels’ THE BUTLER, and many other successful films.

David Oyelowo was born in Oxford, England to Nigerian parents and graduated college from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Oyelowo is now married with four children and puts God and family over his career. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oyelowo stated,

“I want to put in the world things I can defend to my children. I’m not a subscriber to the idea that what we make doesn’t affect culture. What we do is so powerful. It does shape culture and people’s worldview.”

Oyelowo believes that the messages the media puts out affects not only children but culture as a whole. He accredits God’s direction when choosing a movie and says that he prays about each role and asks God for guidance before committing. In a previous interview with MOVIEGUIDE® talking about his role in SELMA, he said he felt very strongly that God told him he would play the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the movie.

Prayer plays a prominent role in Oyelowo’s life because he feels so passionately about the influence media has over society. In an interview with Huffington Post, Oyelowo said that he also needs God’s help acting especially with the role of Martin Luther King Jr. because of the anointing that he had as a person, he needed that as well.

SELMA is a chronicle of a three month period from Martin Luther King Jr.’s Campaign for equal voting rights in an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. His portrayal of Martin Luther King Luther Jr. in SELMA grossed over 50 million in the box office with great reviews across the board.  Oyelowo doesn’t take his job lightly and talks about how he has seen the effects of media around the globe.

“I’ve been to Africa and seen places with no running water, but they have a tiny little screen with a satellite dish on a rickety sort of tin shack. A lot of what they’re consuming is what we put out in the world. So prayer is a big one. Also: Does my dad want me doing that?”

Oyelowo is a great example of a person in Hollywood who has their heart set on Christ and influencing the world with positive messages. For 30 years MOVIEGUIDE® has been a promoter of Christian content. We believe there should be more Christians in Hollywood and less Hollywood in Christians. For more articles, movie reviews and videos go to www.movieguide.org.

 

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.


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.