EDITOR’S NOTE: “Signs and Wonders” is a column that shares thoughts on news items that either do not rise to the level of a news story for MinistryWatch or are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” My goal is to be punchy, opinionated, and not to worry much about being slightly off brand. If that is not for you, no hard feelings. But if it is…read on.
Remembering Robert Duval. I met the actor Robert Duval a couple of times over the years. The first and most notable time was in Los Angeles, where I was covering the premier of “The Return of the King,” the finale of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Robert Duvall was not involved with that movie, but we stayed in the same hotel, and we were in adjacent rooms. We ran into each other on the 11th floor landing, waiting for the elevator. I introduced myself to him, the elevator doors opened, and we rode down together. He peppered me with questions the whole way down. “Why are you here?” “Where are you from?” Very friendly and curious. When we got to the lobby, we shook hands and parted. But I saw him several more times over the next couple of days, and each time I saw him he would greet me by name and ask me some question that indicated he had remembered our earlier conversation, and that he cared for me. “Are things going well?” “Are you getting the interviews you need?” I have never forgotten his friendliness and curiosity.
I once asked him why he often took roles in movies in which religion played a major part. “The Apostle,” which he also directed, and “Tender Mercies” are two examples. He told me he was not particularly religious, but he recognized the importance of religion in the world and in people’s lives. Portraying sincere religious belief and expression was a way to help a character come alive. He was raised a Christian Scientist, and he once told Route Magazine: “I definitely do believe in Jesus, the works of Jesus Christ. I would consider myself a Christian. I don’t particularly go to church, but I spend a certain portion of each day in my own kind of meditation, and you know, whatever that means, and whatever that is.”
He died earlier this week at age 95. You can read an expansive New York Times obituary for him here.
Passing The Torch. Larry Ross is a legend in my world. He was Billy Graham’s “PR Guy” for decades and was the founder and president of A Larry Ross Communications. His public relations and strategic communications agency, co-founded in 1994 by Larry and Autumn Ross, announced the appointment of their son Richard Ross as president. I ran into Larry at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville this week, and he said he was not going completely away, but would be stepping back from day-to-day operations. According to a statement from the agency, “The appointment marks a significant multi-generational transition for the firm, positioning the Agency to expand its legacy of message stewardship in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.”
Prayer Incorporated. While we are on the subject of NRB, I can report that this year’s convention appears to be as big as ever, though on the exhibit floor the number of for-profit business and political organizations (or politics-adjacent) organizations also seems greater than ever. Turning Point USA has a significant exhibit. The for-profit companies Gloo and Pray.com have major exhibits.
Pray.com is a particularly interesting case-in-point. It began in the Los Angeles area in 2016 as a privately-held, for-profit company. It is not a nonprofit entity. The founders include Steve Gatena (CEO), Michael Lynn (CFO), Ryan Beck (CTO), and Matthew Potter (head of Strategic Relationships.) Online sources say it has raised venture capital from firms such as Science Inc., Greylock Partners, and TPG Growth. Because it’s privately held, the company doesn’t have to make its revenue figures public, but online sources give numbers from $11 to $13 million.
Momento Mori. WORLD Magazine reports that Jay Strother, the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, plans to step away from the pulpit after a stomach cancer diagnosis. Brentwood is one of the largest churches in the Southern Baptist Convention, with more than 7,000 in regular attendance each week. WORLD said, “his treatment plan has not been finalized and is pending further testing, but his medical team said he will likely need to take time away from ministry for treatment, major surgery, and an extended recovery.”
Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse is also facing a grim cancer diagnosis, and is doing so with faith and dignity. I highly recommend a video conversation Sasse had with the Hoover Institute’s Peter Robinson. They discuss life, death, and “what really matters.” He also had a very moving conversation with his friends Michael Horton and Dan Bryant. That one is called “Life, Cancer, and the Gospel.” You can find that conversation here.
Readers in Los Angeles. I have some travel coming up in the next couple of months, and I would love to see you. I will host a reader lunch in April while I’m in Los Angeles. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com.
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