Daytime TV's Guiding Lights

Jamie-Lyn Bauer is an intercessor. Austin Peck seeks to find God's perfect will in every contour of his life. Julianne Morris has a passion for overseas missions. Kirsten Storms refuses to take the Lord's name in vain. Hunter Tylo boldly tells everyone who will listen about her relationship with Jesus.

It is not surprising to find such spiritually focused characteristics among churchgoers, but these Christians are also stars on daytime-TV soap operas.

As members of an unlikely but growing cast of believers on the Hollywood scene, their impact for the gospel is showing up both on and off the screen. They all are part of a deeper plot than the ones viewers see unfolding on the sets of Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, and other soaps.

Perhaps it is ironic that a deeply devoted troop of actors, writers, producers, administrators, and stagehands populate this particular TV genre--famous for greed- and lust-driven storylines that extol duplicity, scandal, and revenge. But these believers are not debating whether or not a Christian should "run in the soaps crowd." They are on Hollywood's front lines and in studio back lots, leading co-stars and crew members to the Lord.

Charisma interviewed a number of these believers to hear in their words what it's like to be a Christian in Hollywood. Not surprisingly, we found that they face temptations and make mistakes--while being criticized by believers and nonbelievers alike who disagree with their stand for God in the entertainment industry.

They told us God is using them right where they are. And more than ever, they believe, it is the right time to share God's love with Hollywood professionals.

"Before, it was just getting people saved. Now we are equipping, encouraging and covering them," says Bauer, a former star on Days of Our Lives. "It is a very exciting time to be a Christian in Hollywood."