5 Celebrities Who Converted to Christianity

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To convert means “to turn.” When we turn towards one thing, we by necessity turn away from something else. The Bible describes “repentance” as a change of mind about sin and a change of mind about Jesus, and then a turning to Jesus in faith. These celebrities have converted to Christianity and have shared their faith and love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ both publically and privately. Some of these celebrities have gained reputations for being outspoken about their beliefs and even walked away from mainstream Hollywood, money and fame in an effort to grow in their faith. As a result, they have built a closer relationship with God and have been able to share that through their public platforms. When we turn to Jesus, our lives are completely turned around. Here are five celebrities who converted to Christianity.

Bob Dylan

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The iconic musician became a born-again Christian in the late 1970s. After converting to Christianity, he released two gospel albums: “Slow Train Coming” and “Saved.” Dylan’s “Slow Train Coming” surprised everybody by declaring that he had become a born-again Christian. While many suspected that it was just another of his unpredictable left turns, he nonetheless double-downed with its follow-up album, “Saved.” Dylan’s conversion to Christianity was reportedly so unpopular that John Lennon recorded a track called “Serve Yourself” as a parody of Dylan’s 1979 song. In 2012, after years of many speculating over his faith, Dylan reported that he still believed in Jesus.

Bob Marley

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Although many are familiar with the reggae legend as a Rastafarian, others may be surprised to hear that he was baptized as an Orthodox Christian before his death. Marley was an influential figure in the global expansion of a Rastafarian religious movement through music. The movement, which began in 1930s Jamaica, focused on the worship of former Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie I, whose followers believe him to be a messiah that will lead them to righteousness and prosperity. While Marley sang and spoke about being a Rasta, some say he converted to Christianity before his death. Abuna Yesehaq, archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the Western Hemisphere who died in 2005, admitted that he baptized Marley about one year before his death.

Anne Rice

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Author Anne Rice is a huge writing success and recognized by many as the queen of vampires. Rice is the author of the incredibly successful, The Vampire Chronicles series. Rice was raised in a conservative Irish Catholic family, and then lost her religion by becoming an agnostic when she was a student at Texas Women’s University in 1959. After the success of her secular writings, she began to long for God. In 2002, Rice told the press that she was called to write stories for the Lord and only write for Him. She has written the series, Christ the Lord and has discussed her own spiritual journey in her autobiography titled “Called out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession.”