Greg Laurie's new film shows why faith matters more than fame.
In an upcoming film from Harvest Christian Fellowship, Pastor Greg Laurie explores the desire for worldly fame and the price people pay for it. In “Fame,” which premieres later this month, Laurie looks at the lives and Christian testimonies of rock star Alice Cooper, baseball player Darryl Strawberry, actor Steve McQueen, and country singer Johnny Cash.
“Everyone wants to be rich and famous, but at what cost?” reads the movie’s description. “Pastor Greg Laurie outlines the many tragedies that have resulted from the pursuit of fame, fame for money, fame for glory, fame for relevance, but something was always missing. That thing that was missing wasn’t something at all. It was someone. GOD.”
Below is a link to a sneak peek from the film in which he interviews rock icon Alice Cooper. The 75-year-old shock rocker, now an outspoken Christian, was recently dropped by a makeup-brand sponsor because of his stance on transgender children.
In the clip from “Fame,” Cooper said he grew up attending church three times per week, including all day on Sundays. But then he veered “as far away as you could get” from that God-honoring lifestyle, eventually getting addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Cooper said people will always try to fill the hole inside them with something, whether that’s drugs, fancy cars, houses, wives, or fame. “You’re never going to achieve it,” he said. “There comes that point in your life where you go, ‘What is this about? Is this really it? ’Cause it can’t be.’ And I think that’s when you start hearing the Lord knocking.”
Greg Laurie Highlights Life Change in ‘Fame’ Also featured are interview clips with former MLB great Darryl Strawberry, who rebounded from drug addiction and other struggles and is now a pastor. “Fame” also tells the stories of actor Steve McQueen and country singer Johnny Cash, both now deceased. Laurie has described being fascinated with their backgrounds, challenges, and journeys to faith.
McQueen had an alcoholic mother, never knew his biological father, was sent to reform school, ran away to join the circus, and was arrested and put on a chain gang. A stunt man shared the gospel with McQueen, who later died from cancer holding a Bible that Billy Graham had given him.
Cash had a rags-to-riches story but faced many scandals and controversies. Like Jesus’ disciple Peter, “Johnny fell and got back up again,” wrote Laurie. “He usually ran to God when a crisis was at hand and he needed rescuing.” But by the end of his life, Cash spoke openly about his “unshakeable faith.” Laurie’s film about the redemption of Cash, he said, emphasizes that “anyone can be redeemed.”
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