Happy Thanksgiving-

It has been awhile since this site has been updated. We are just coming out of the Jewish High Holy days and a season where I had little time to write because of so many opportunities to share Messiah with comedians, actors and directors who I know. Good things to be thankful for!

Lots of new things happening as God continues to move in Hollywood. On the right I posted a link to a New York Times article that reflects some of this. It is called, Christianity on TV. Please take some time and roam through the site to read various stories, learn of people to pray for and partner with us in prayer as we seek to transform culture and bring the messiah to the Jews and non-Jews working in media who don’t yet know Him. Check out Josh’s baptism and the copy of ABC's news clip. Then go into the site to see some of our prayer requests, notes on recent and upcoming events

HOLIDAY GIFT
Make sure to visit the interfaith DVD section and view the 6-minute excerpt. If you have a friend or relative who is in an interfaith (Jewish-gentile) relationship or marriage, the DVD of "Joined Together?" makes an ideal holiday gift. This award winning DVD presents spiritual solutions to some of the challenges of interfaith marriage. It is funny, moving and presents Yeshua in a completely unique way that connects with intermarried couples. This year several congregations in Michigan, California and Florida used this program as an outreach event in their community. It also aired on 2 international Christian TV networks. For a promo and information on ordering "Joined Together?" Click Here

ON STRIKE
Right now, as you may have heard on the news, we are in the middle of a huge writer’s strike. It has affected every area of the entertainment industry as many from other unions involving actors, directors and crew are standing in solidarity with the writers. Some of the issues involved here include the writer’s fight for payment on the new media systems (Internet, mobile phones, etc)
Some of the issues involved here include the writer’s fight for payment on the new media systems (internet, mobile phones, etc.).... To stay updated on the events you can visit the Hollywood reporter’s strike website:

HI

Thank you for visiting the website.
Check back about once every month or two for updates on events, prayer requests and other info on how God continues to move in Hollywood. For those of you who are interested in how I came to faith, check out the article highlighting my recent interview for Outreach Magazine which includes some of my testimony. (Scroll down in article)

THEN & NOW
"Behold, I make all things New" (Rev. 21:5)
As a transplant form New York City and San Francisco, I have been in L.A. almost 15 years. When I first arrived, heeding God's call to go to Hollywood and work within the entertainment industry.   I was surprised to see so little going on with believers in the entertainment community. Many of those calling themselves Christians were so eager to 'break-in' or 'blend-in' to the industry, that they had no qualms about hiding their light under a bushel, so to speak.

Additionally, the minority of Christians that did have a combination of spiritual depth, gifting and calling seem to be hitting walls on every front.

For reasons we can only speculate, in the last few years there has been a shift in the landscape of the entertainment community. As more followers of Jesus flooded into this area to influence the media that impacts the world, God began to reveal more of His heart for those in Hollywood.

For now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, just as he planned" (I Cor. 12:18)
Christians have begun to embrace a variety of callings as a new tapestry is being woven forming a picture of God's plan for this segment of our culture and society.

There are a number of distinctives in how Christians are being used and finding their role in entertainment. Some of these include:
Working to see film an TV made that holds a Biblical world view..... working in and around projects that provide opportunities to openly share their faith and see those in the Hollywood community come to Him... making films that are explicitly Christian in content for the edification of the body or the evangelization of the lost...... dropping nuggets of Gospel truth into scripts and projects that are otherwise despairing and bleak in their message.

ORCHESTRATED ENGAGEMENT
I find my role shifts in relationship to each project and it requires an ability to stay in communication with hearing from the Lord. As we move forward on many fronts of media and ministry, I am excited about what the future can hold. As we partner with each other and with God my hope is that we can plan a long term strategy through the media to influence the next generation for His kingdom.

Working in Hollywood, we are situated in a strategic arena to impact the world. Pray that those of us laboring out here can walk in a way worthy of His calling.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
I continue to do seminars as well as ministry presentations of the work here in Hollywood.
See Calendar 2007 for full schedule. I am also currently setting up additional times to
speak to churches and groups. If you are interested in setting up a speaking
engagement (by myself or with someone else) for your group or church, please contact us.
To view some of the specific topics and workshops available Click Here

Please visit the rest of the website and see what God is doing In Hollywood.
Prayer requests will be updated every month or two, so stay checked in.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers.

In His Service
Nikki H.

Working within Entertainment to impact the Media and People in it for the Kingdom of God

Thank you for visiting the website.
Check back about once every month for updates on events, prayer requests and other info on how God continues to move in Hollywood. For those of you who are interested in how I came to faith, check out the article highlighting my recent interview for Outreach Magazine which includes some of my testimony. (I know in the article they accidentally spelled "Shema' - 'Shiva')

Whenever you visit the site, always check Nikki’s Notes to see some of the more recent events happening around town where God’s people are at work.

THANKSGIVING
As we enter this holiday season, I see a lot to be thankful for. Those of us who have been laboring in this field we call Hollywood have noticed a distinct difference in the spiritual temperature here.

When I first arrived here, over a decade ago, I saw many of those who called
themselves believers struggling to retain their ‘saltiness’ and often losing the battle.
Additionally, the idea of Jesus being in popular film or culture was something that mostly
seemed synonymous with mockery or was blasphemous. Now, 10 years later, I am blessed
every week by those who integrate their faith and calling to impact Hollywood
in a way that both engages culture and glorifies God.

You can begin to see more and more films and TV shows have characters
who are followers of Christ or deal with Biblical themes. Most recently,
“One Night with the King”, “Facing the Giants” and upcoming ‘The Nativity Story”
In case you don’t know, buying tickets on opening weekend to a film is like casting a
vote at the box office for what the studios should spend their money on next.

PERSPECTIVE
At a pre-screening of The Nativity Story, I was struck by the fact that when Mary
was pregnant with Jesus, she was aware that she had been given a special gift by God which she,
through her obedience, was responsible to deliver. In a similar way, God entrusts each
of us with a special gift that we are to birth for His Kingdom purposes.

I pray that, like Mary my life can be wholly surrendered as a vessel to Him. I encourage
you during this holiday time to see this film and prayerfully consider ways that you can
identify that special gift given to you for the blessing of others and the furtherance
of His Kingdom.

THE HARVEST IS RIPE
While ‘seed planting’ is always an important part of the process of sowing and reaping and sometimes where most of our energy is spent, it is always exciting to participate in bringing
in the Harvest too. These last few days, I've been in touch with four more people have come
into the Kingdom. Three of them are brand new Jewish believers (two of them are just
a few days old). Read about them and lift them up under New believers

HOLIDAY GIFT
If you have a friend or relative who is in an interfaith (Jewish-gentile) relationship
or marriage consider giving a DVD of Joined Together? as an ideal holiday gift.
This award winning DVD presents spiritual solutions to some of the challenges of interfaith marriage. It is funny, moving and presents Yeshua in a completely unique way that
connects with intermarried couples.
For a promo and information on ordering "Joined Together?" Click Here

Last entry I wrote about how I was asked to lead a discussion at Bel Air Church on Mel Gibson, anti-Semitism and Hollywood’s response to recent events. The Jewish and Christian communities had a mixed response on how to handle his request for forgiveness for the anti-Semitic comments made during his drunken tirade. The event went incredibly well. There were also several Jewish people in attendance, some who did not know the Lord. I heard that one of the girls I had been sharing with was so touched by the love of believers for Israel and the Jewish people that she is now open to exploring more of who Christ is. Pray for (Glenda’s) journey.

Exciting Things Happening in Hollywood.
A major feature film is in being written on one of the Apostles (from a Jewish perspective) The writer, who lives in Europe, has invited me to input on the Jewish context of the film. Pray that this gets written and made well. (It will be a couple of years in the making before you hear about this). I have been praying for more character’s that are Jewish believers in the mainstream media. I can’t think of a better way than a feature film about one of the Apostle’s life.

Keep your eyes open for a new family film called “Facing the Giants’. It opens September 29th. This was done with mostly volunteers by a Baptist church in Albany, Georgia who wanted to make use of their talents. It surprised everyone and has been picked up for distribution by a major studio (Sony).
Did you know that when you go to see a film on opening weekend it is like casting a vote to the studios of what audiences want to see? One effective way to influence what is being made is by ‘casting your vote’ at the box office on the opening weekend of a film.

I wrote last month on the fact that (as a result of the “Passion” and a move of the Holy Spirit), some of the major film studios have begun ‘faith-based’ branches. Check out the article about Fox Studios commitment to do 12 films for what is now called the “Christian market’ on the home page.

PERSPECTIVE
Are we called to make films for the church to enjoy? I have long believed that, though there is definitely a place for ‘Christian’ films, God’s has not called those of us who are believers in Messiah and working in the media tocreate things that merely ‘entertain’ ourselves or to re-affirm what we believe. Though believers often yearn for films that they can enjoy and feel comfortable watching, I am not certain that this is our greatest calling as artists. Sometimes we are called to walk in areas where it is not as 'cozy'. I think about how it must have been for Jesus spending time with prostitutes, sinners and tax collectors. Possibly, we would have been uncomfortable here, but he came for those in need. I continue to pray for projects that not only reach a ‘Christian market’ but that reach those who most need to hear truth and sometimes need it in a package they will open. I am glad that Jesus came to seek and save the lost and that we can partner with him in this. I will write more on this in upcoming newsletters.

The Holidays
As we come upon the Jewish Holy Days, I would ask that you pray for those coming to services that do not yet know the Lord. This is a time of year where during what we call the 10 days of Awe, Jewish people search their hearts to right any wrongs done, ask for forgiveness from God and make restitution. It is a time when I take inventory of the last year as I seek the Lord for His upcoming plans. I invite you to join with me. The scriptures say “What does the Lord your God require of you? Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. It is easy to be transformed into the world’s likeness here everywhere and especially here in the heart of Hollywood. I pray that the Lord will transform me and renew our minds by his word.

Other Speaking engagements
At the end of September, I will be doing a seminar on engaging in faith-based dialogue with your Jewish colleagues for those working in the entertainment community Calendar 2006 for full schedule. I am also currently setting up additional times to speak to churches and groups. If you are interested in setting up a speaking engagement (by myself or with someone else) for your group or church, please contact us. To view some of the specific topics and workshops available Click Here

Please visit the rest of the website and see what God is doing In Hollywood Prayer requests will be updated every month or two, so stay checked in. Thank you for your support and prayers.

In His Service
Nikki H.

Working within Entertainment to impact the Media and People in it for the Kingdom of God

3/8/06

As always, a lot is going on, as God is moving out here. This past month I stepped in as a consulting producer on a short film festival project. (This is a short film festival where the film is made in one week based on a random Bible verse that the team selects. I encouraged Art (a Jewish non-believing editor - who works with the producers of 'Will and Grace)' - to step in and produce one of these.

Since he is not a believer, my role was to help put together the team for Art, as well as function as 'spiritual advisor' (as they sought to interpret the 'verse)'. As I helped him build his team, I sought to get a Christian writer, 2 other Christian producers and a team made up of about 3/4 believers in the Lord. The rest, including the cinematographer were non- believers who work in the entertainment industry. (We also had the drummer from the band Judas Priest as our sound operator).

Below is an email I just received from Keith that was sent out to our entire crew. (He is a camera operator on a major TV show.) He was hostile toward God and the Church when we began, but was willing to help out his colleague Art (on what he called a 'stupid little film') despite the Christian presence and overtones. (We called ourselves 'Team Art")

FROM KEITH:
In a message dated ******************@adelphia.net writes:

<< Hello Team Art!

I have been lurking and listening to the chatter, and it is time for me to weigh in.

What a wonderful and magical group you are! (I mean good old four-square Christian magic, as in miracles, not that nasty Pagan magik stuff!)

After thirty years in this business we call show, I am a cynical SOB.

It has been nearly eight years since I participated in a "stupid little movie". Art knows, that is a direct quote-from me. What I want you all to know it this-THIS IS NO STUPID LITTLE MOVIE!

I am proud, grateful and yes, dare I say Blessed to have met, worked and shared fellowship with each and every one of you.

Some of you may know a bit of my background in the church. Let me take a moment to share with the rest of you.

I was born and raised a Presbyterian. As soon as I was out of diapers I was in Church School, and continued through High School. I was a youth group leader through college, and the youngest Deacon in our urban church with

over 2,700 members.

However, as a result of what I saw of "the man behind the curtain" and the disheartening politics in that church-I have not been to any church in over thirty years. But you people tempt me...

And for someone fallen from the way as I have, that says A LOT. You all have given me more than a little bit of Faith!

Thank you all for your help and efforts in all departments. Each and every one of you went the extra mile and shouldered the extra load to make this wonderful experience happen for all of us. Self-fives for everyone!

"(The title of the film)" is a miraculous achievement we can all be PROUD of!!!

Quite simply-I have never participated in any project in my thirty year career whether commercial or "stupid" in nature of which I am more proud. None.

Thanks for having us along and Thanks again to all of you for coming with us. (FROM KEITH, our Cinematographer) >>
-----------------
Art, stepped up to produce and direct for the first time. He is a Jewish non-believer I have been sharing Jesus with for a long time. He was interested in being a part of this festival and randomly selected this Bible Verse:

"Reverence for the Lord gives confidence and security to a man and his family." --Proverbs 14:26

ART WRITES:

In a message dated 3/3/06 12:12:14 PM, a******gmail.com writes:

<< Right after I submitted our entry to the festival I came to the realization that my experience in the making of this film ran parallel to the verse I pulled over two weeks ago. Our production unit was very diverse, incorporating believers and non-believers, professionals and newcomers to the industry, young and old. My goal was to achieve a harmonious blend of all these forces.
I did so out of respect for the processes at work, including God. As a result found the confidence I needed to steer this production. I found myself immersed in a secure and safe environment, a place free to be creative and have fun at the same time. I hope all of you, as part of my production family, experienced growth and fellowship through your involvement. >>

Also, following this email. (I got word from a friend at a nearby church that they ran into him as he was sneaking in the side door for a Sunday AM service last week (he has never been to church before)
Let's pray for both Art and Keith
---
This past Saturday, the stage play I have been developing with the Romanian Jewish playwright, Irina, was performed. It was VERY successful and since I always put in my bio that I have a degree in Theology and Biblical Lit, several of the Jewish audience members inquired about that at the closing reception. I had the chance to witness to more than a few of them.
Irina now sends in all of her emails 'Baruch Ha Shem' (meaning Bless His Name, or Praise the Lord) She told me yesterday that since we have begun working together and hearing what I have told her about God, she thinks about God much more than ever. Pray for my continued witness to Irina and that she would come to know Jesus.

My goal in the next few months is to get a manager or agent, so I am not always the one looking for supplementary work and can focus on projects and people at hand. Pray for the right partnerships in ministry and on projects..

And finally, continued prayer for my mother, Marsha's salvation.

Thanks again for your prayers.

In His Service -

Nikki H.

P. R. I. S. M. - Partnering to Reach the Industry of Stage & Media-Arts

Working within entertainment to impact the media & people in it for the Kingdom of God
--------------
Your support and financial donations to the ministry are always appreciated.

A couple of weeks ago, I was privileged to pray with a Jewish girl, Melissa to come to faith in Jesus. I have begun a discipleship series with her and Susan (the actress I prayed to receive the Lord with last year) Pray for both of these women to grow in their faith. They are eager to learn about God and the Bible and we have been having blessed times together during our discipleship series.

PERSONAL PRAYER REQUESTS & PROJECT UPDATES Also, Please continue to pray for the right work and projects for me, as well as my continued ministry funds as I continue raising our ministry budget and my support

Here are some specific project requests:
I recently pitched a show to one of the cable Networks and it seems there is interest. Pray that it moves forward and works out according to the Lord's purposes.

I am producing a small support DVD for an adoption agency committed to facilitating adoptions of girls in China. The company funding the project does not have the finances for completion, so it has been stalled. Please pray that this gets worked out in a way that glorifies God.

Please also continue to pray for my Jewish mother, Marsha to come to the Lord. (It is a huge burden on my heart)

-------- Thank you again for your prayers and support.

In His Service -

Nikki H. P. R. I. S. M.
Partnering to Reach the Industry of Stage & Media-Arts

Working within entertainment to impact the media & people in it for the Kingdom of God. --

Produce 'Bridge of Promise' (a promotional DVD designed to encourage international adoptions with an emphasis on Chinese girl orphans.)

Direct 3 staged readings of new plays at local theatres including directorial consultant on staged reading with Jason Alexander (George, on Seinfeld), Ed Asner, Wendie Malleck and Jennifer Tilley.

Associate produce a friend?s film during their pre-production. (Coincidentally, the 1st Asst Director on this project was Jewish and his mother in Seattle is a believer and has been praying for his salvation)

Develop several media projects that are under consideration now,

Observe as a director on two prime time TV shows (The 70?s show and Malcolm in the Middle) in preparation for a sitcom class I was invited to guest teach this spring at Azusa Pacific University.

Teach five, one - day seminars, -- one eight week class --and numerous Bible studies. These topics all involved equipping Christians to work and minister in the Hollywood mission field. The topics varied from Sharing your faith with Jewish Colleagues to a class on 'Values, Ethics and Culture: The Spiritual and philosophical perspectives shaping Hollywood Today' & Directing and acting classes for Christians

A MONTH OF MEDIA AND RABBI?S??
Some of the specific encounters I have had recently have been exciting. This past month I had the honor of sharing the Lord with 2 different Rabbis (one 'orthodox' and one ?reform?) who were guest speakers at different Media events. One of the events was an annual media event. I was helping out with where close to 800 media professionals were in attendance and followed the lead of Christians as they prayed for projects, individuals and studios in Hollywood. Some of the guests included Debby Boone, Kirk Franklin , several Studio execs, celebs, etc. Rabbi 'A' f(who was involved in the dialogue about the Passion movie controversy) came to say the blessing over our food. Pray for my witness with Rabbi 'A'.

At an annual Film Festival, the movie 'Life is Beautiful' was screened and the panel discussion that followed included a Nun and a Rabbi. At the closing reception I shared extensively about the Lord with Rabbi 'B' - who is both a Rabbi & talent agent.
Details on both of these stories can be found under Rabbi Stories section of this website.

In His Service - Nikki H