When it comes to faith and prayer, Priscilla Shirer is uncompromising. As an author, speaker and actress, she has experienced abundant favor from God by putting Him first in her life.
The multi-talented Shirer is also a full-time wife, mother of three sons and heads Going Beyond Ministries, a Dallas, Texas-based ministry that offers teaching and resources on the word of God through books, videos, Bible Studies and conferences.
“I’m mostly a writer and a Bible teacher and I’ve had the privilege of leading women (and men) into the word of God and learning it and understanding it and developing a relationship with the Lord,” said Shirer.
While her ministry attracts a sizeable audience, her film presence will introduce her to thousands more when she appears in “I Can Only Imagine,” which opens March 16.
The faith-based drama tells the true story of how Bart Millard, the lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe, came to write the popular song of the same name. The narrative illustrates that nobody is ever too far from God’s love or too far from an eternal home in heaven.
“This story is riveting, the stuff that he’s been through in his life and how God used it to mold the words for this song,” said Shirer. “I don’t know of anybody that has not only heard or been touched by ‘I Can Only Imagine’ and once you see it (the film), you’ll love the song that much more because of the story behind it.”
Shirer portrays Millard’s teacher, Mrs. Fincher, who recognizes the youth’s talent when he enrolls in her choir class. Although Millard initially planned to ease through the period, Mrs. Fincher notes his potential and encourages him to apply himself.
“It’s a small role but a great opportunity to show how a teacher can play a key role in the life of a young person and the big impact that kid can have as an adult,” noted Shirer, who co-stars with Dennis Quaid, Cloris Leachman, Trace Adkins, J. Michael Finley, and Madeline Carroll.
Many viewers will remember Shirer from the movie, “War Room,” where she played Elizabeth Jordan, a woman in a spiritual battle to save her marriage.
That role was Shirer’s first as an actress and she recalled, “When they asked me if I would consider that role, my first inclination was to say, ‘Heck no!’ Then after I read the script, I could clearly see that it was just ministry.
“It wasn’t just a random film, it was ministry. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of something that was so clearly for all people to prioritize prayer,” she insisted. “Prayer is the key that God has given us to unlock the resources of heaven. Why wouldn’t we use a key like that?”
Admitting that her acting experiences have been pleasant to date, Shirer said the profession is not something she’s actively pursuing. Her perspective is, “If the Lord makes opportunity and those roles specifically glorify Him for all people to hear Him, that’s what I’m interested in. Honoring the Lord– whether it’s on a screen or in the four walls of my own home mothering my sons, is my goal. For that, I am willing and open.”
To learn more, visit goingbeyond.com. Visit icanonlyimagine.com to learn more about the film.
