Fellowship resurrected

Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 | 7:33 a.m.

It's not easy being a Christian for those who work in Las Vegas' media or entertainment industry, said the Rev. Bob Rieth, founder of Media Fellowship International.

From the high-pressure job of covering breaking news to the temptations attendant to being a Strip entertainer, the media world is a tough industry with few fellow "believers," said Rieth, who spoke to the recently resurrected Las Vegas chapter Tuesday morning at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.

Christians may find themselves ridiculed by co-workers in the media or entertainment industry for their beliefs, as well as ridiculed within their faith communities for working in what some believe are vice-filled industries, Rieth said.

But Rieth believes people should "bloom where they are planted."

The small, 40-member band of media professionals in the Las Vegas chapter lean on God and one another to maintain their religious convictions and be a positive influence in the industry, Rieth and local leaders said. They meet monthly, usually over Italian cuisine at Sazio's in the Orleans, just to talk, pray and share their faith.

"It's a chance for Christians in the media to support each other," KLAS Channel 8 news anchor Dave Courvoisier said of the organization he helped found in 1986. "(The media) is a very stressful workplace, but we think there is room for God in there."

Courvoisier, local Christian SOS Radio Network marketing director Dale Davidson, Excalibur illusionist Paul Fidler and minister and screenwriter Kleg Seth resurrected Las Vegas' Media Fellowship chapter last year after a long hiatus.

The group has attracted people from the entertainment business, including such personalities as stunt woman Kim Renee, who did Lynda Carter's aerial work in the "Wonder Woman" television series; impressionist Larry G. Jones, who does "The Man of 1002 Voices" show at Fitzgerald's; former Denver Broncos safety and broadcaster Randy Rich; and KNPR "State of Nevada" producer Ted Mueller.

By uplifting those who work in television, radio, film, theater, music, print or Internet media, Rieth hopes to transform those industries from the inside out. The international group, now in 37 cities in the United States and Europe, also offers crisis counseling to journalists covering major disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

Rieth prayed with Courvoisier when he was in New Orleans reporting on Katrina. Courvoisier said Rieth just came knocking on the door of Channel 8's van.

"It meant a lot," Courvoisier said. "My faith sustains me in the onslaught of heart-rending stories."

Most of Media Fellowship's members said they are able to share their faith with others simply by being themselves. Many also credited their faith for the professional success they have found.

"In an industry that has little light, it's really not hard to shine," said Ron DeShay, an "American Idol" producer who shared his story Tuesday with the Las Vegas chapter.

Seven years ago, DeShay left his job as a teacher in Texas to move to Los Angeles to break into television, finding success with the musical competition show.

Because of his Christian background, DeShay said he is known as "Dad" to all of the young contestants, helping to comfort them and the show's judges through the often "crushing" decisions.

"They get to see first-hand that there are believers in Hollywood," DeShay said. "That you can do this and have a relationship with Jesus, and that you can do this and you don't have to compromise."

Members try to be careful in how they share their faith so they don't put people off, several leaders said.

"I don't beat people over the head with it, and I'm not out evangelizing, trying to convert everybody," said Courvoisier, well known in Las Vegas for his "Wednesday's Child" segments highlighting children in need of adoption. "I think through your actions you can say a lot."

For Fidler, who has wowed crowds at Excalibur's "Tournament of Kings" show with his pyrotechnics for eight years, his performance as the evil "Wizard of Fire" helps open doors for him to minister.

Because he plays a "devilish character ... no one expects me to start talking about Jesus Christ," Fidler said.

"It is an opportunity to talk to people that a pastor of a church could never get close to," Fidler said.

If you live out your faith, Renee said, others "want to know what it is that gives you that happiness deep inside."

Christina Littlefield can be reached at 259-8813 or at clittle@ lasvegassun.com.

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