TV-film 'celebrity' focuses on influencing others faithfully

Stephen Baldwin visits Portland to help

a good friend launch leadership seminars

By JOHN FORTMEYER
CNNW publisher
    PORTLAND — For Stephen Baldwin, the “celebrity” life is a bit of a mixed bag.
    Youngest of Hollywood’s famed acting Baldwin brothers (the other three are Alec, Daniel and William), Stephen has in recent years been a frequent reality TV contestant. Past stints on ABC’s Celebrity Mole, Country Music Television’s Celebrity Bull-Riding Challenge (where he broke a shoulder blade and cracked a rib), and NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice have kept his name in the spotlight. On his most recent show, NBC’s I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, he was forced to drop out because of severe bug bites.
   “I was just eaten live in a jungle in Costa Rica — but I won’t go there,” Baldwin said with a smile to an audience of about 90 at a special videotaping session last month at John’s Landing in Portland.
    Coordinated by Spirit Media of Clackamas and its president, Bill Dolan, the Aug. 4 taping was part of a business luncheon promoting a new motivational program by the Daniel Southern Leadership Group. A longtime crusade director for evangelist Billy Graham, the Texas-based Southern is a global events coordinator and a ministry partner and close friend of Baldwin’s.
    In his book, The Unusual Suspect, Baldwin details highlights from his personal life, career, days of drug abuse and ultimately his turn to becoming a born-again Christian after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on America. Today    Baldwin is known nationally as an unapologetic believer in Christ, and locally has worked closely with Portland-based evangelist Luis Palau’s team on the Livin It extreme sports video series.
    Following comments by Southern, Dolan and local author and business coach Larry Briggs, Baldwin spoke enthusiastically on what, for him, constitutes true leadership.
   “I enjoy the thrill of life,” Baldwin said. “The greatest thrill is knowing the leadership potential I have in my sphere of influence is touching people every day of my life.”
    While his celebrity status does help give him a special plaform for his beliefs, Baldwin alluded to how his outspoken faith has cost him in Hollywood circles. He used to make up to $2 million a year, but knew his decision to follow Christ would decrease his income some 70 percent.
    His financial situation came to public light in July, when ABC News reported Baldwin and his wife Kennya had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
   “I am here today as an oddball representation of leadership,” he quipped to the Portland audience. He later added, “Ironically, I am here as an expert in some of the finer mistakes you can make on the way.”
    Regardless of what happens with his celebrity status, Baldwin made clear his leadership priorities are as a devoted husband and father, and as a servant of God who wants to influence others positively.
   “I’d rather walk down the street and have people perceive me to be a regular guy they can relate to, because there’s more freedom in that,” he said.
Both Baldwin and Dolan expressed excitement about Southern’s new venture, which will feature a team of experts in various aspects of business, leadership and life. For more information go to www.danielsouthern.com.