Thousands of Christians to Gather in Hollywood to Pray

By Chris Strong, CP Contributor Thursday, January 26, 2012

Thousands of Christians will gather for a day of mass prayer in Hollywood at an event called TheCRY Hollywood hosted at the Gibson Amphitheater in March.

More than just a simple prayer, TheCRY is, according to Director Faytene Grasseschi, "not a concert or a conference, this is a cry for God to move with His love and power in entertainment media in a way that will impact the masses."

Prayer leaders, worship leaders and artists will come at their own expense and offer their prayers with one heart proclaiming and asking God to move the entertainment industry during the March 15 event. With this gathering, Grasseschi hopes to see significant shifts in the world.

"Early on the Lord impressed on our hearts the power of loosing life, love and God's glory through our prayers," Grasseschi explains in a statement.

One speaker who will be present at the event is Dr. Ted Baehr, an American media critic and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, who told The Christian post on Wednesday, "I'm always interested in the things surrounding Hollywood. I've been working there since 1978. I grew up there and have a long history with Hollywood."

He goes on to say, "I'm very grateful for the whole [TheCRY] team and happy they are taking things seriously."

The types of blessings that will be prayed on at this event include asking God to bless those in the entertainment industry and move powerfully in their lives, for Holy Spirit-inspired films to be released, and for those trapped in the sex trade to be rescued. This ambitious event is focused on one geographical area while in the past, such experiences like TheCall, led by Lou Engle, have focused their prayers on nations or cities.

"TheCRY Hollywood is about a sphere that is affecting a global generation and that sphere is entertainment media," says the event's website.

In North America today, the average person spends less than 28 hours a year in church while they saturate their minds with over 6 hours of media a day, states TheCry Hollywood website. According to a recent Nielsen study, there are more televisions in America than human beings. These and several other reasons are the cause for TheCRY.

The event is garnering much response from pastors, Christian leaders, and average believers on its website. Shawn Bolz, the director and senior pastor at Expression 58 – who was unable to provide a comment to CP by press time – posted, "I can't wait for this awesome event! It's going to be so important in 2012 and I believe it will be a gateway meeting for what God wants to do in the entertainment industry worldwide."

Other commenters include Francisco Arboleda from Phoenix, Ariz., who posted, "Just bought my ticket! Can't wait! Can you feel it yet?"

"Yes it's an exciting event, I'm excited to be there and to be speaking there," Baehr told CP. "Everyone should be praying for the entertainment industry, it's all to glorify the kingdom of God. It's going to be a very exciting event."

The day after TheCry Hollywood, there will be a two-day special revival conference called, "This is That."

"I am believing for a massive, extreme, awesome, and tangible outbreak of God's love for Hollywood and entertainment media to break out on this day…because He loves people," TheCRY Hollywood Director Faytene Grasseschi exclaimed.

On the web: thecryhollywood.com