DAVID SCHALL, RIP

Last night, my friend and co-worker, David Schall, died unexpectedly. David was the principle visionary behind some of the most effective ministries for Christians working in the entertainment industry. Here follows a message written by our Board Chairman, Mac Heald, about David's passing.

Last night, we lost one of our best and, particularly difficult for us, one of our own. David Schall, the director of Inter-Mission, suffered what we are told was a massive heart attack and passed away shortly before he was to go on stage in the Actors Co-op opening night performance of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. The cast of the show, friends and supporters gathered in the theatre to care for one another and to express our love for our friend.

As many of you know, David Schall was blessed with skills far beyond those of acting. Even before arriving in Hollywood in the early 80s, he expressed a passion to meld the immutable reach of the entertainment arts with the redemptive message of God's grace and love for the world. He co-founded Actors Co-op in 1987 and soon thereafter launched Inter-Mission, whose purposes were and still are to equip, edify and unite professionals in the entertainment industry through excellence, artistry, mutual encouragement and prayer. From Inter-Mission came Act One: Writing for Hollywood, the Hollywood Prayer Network, and the months-old Hollywood 101. Today, much because of David's God-tuned heart, our fellowship reaches a community of more than 3,500 believers in Christ who represent His love throughout the industry, to each other and to the world.

Please join me in praying for David, for his family, and for the ministries he founded.