Deacon Messenger joins Hollywood for a day

His face may never grace the cover of a celebrity magazine, and it’s unlikely he will walk the red carpet blinded by flashes popping, but for one glorious day Deacon Tim Messenger dipped his toes into the acting waters of Hollywood. At least Texas style.

Deacon Messenger, deacon assistant at St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Church in Albany, recently spent a day in a Dallas suburb serving as an extra in the popular series, “The Chosen,” a Christian-based film that builds plausible stories around factual Scripture events. Deacon Messenger was one of a crowd of 5,000 helping depict the story of the fishes and the loaves.

“I enjoyed it, and I think it’s going to be an experience I will remember for a long time,” he said of his appearance during filming of Season 3 of the series. “Watching the film will be kind of neat.”

Deacon Messenger was initially introduced to the series by his son Tim, a former director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Baton Rouge who now lives in Massachusetts. 

“(Tim) practices his faith devoutly and he put (Deacon Messenger’s wife) Gloria and I on it,” Deacon Messenger said. “We watched all of Season 1 while we were up there.”

The first season impacted Deacon Messenger to the point where he believes the Holy Spirit is at work through the scripts, the acting and hearing the testimonies of viewers. He said people of little or no faith have credited their conversion to the show.

Deacon Messenger said Season 2 involved the shooting of the Sermon on the Mount, requiring 1,000 extras. But in Season 3, with the feeding of the 5,000, the call went out for 10,000 extras but with a catch. Each person who wished to be part of that scene had to pay, according to Deacon Messenger, “a certain financial donation.”

He noted that is how director Dallas Jenkins is able to pay for production of “the Chosen,” which has no advertising revenue, no network support and no additional funds except for viewers.

So Deacon Messenger signed up himself and Gloria for their acting debuts.

“I have been blessed, this was a drop in bucket,” Deacon Messenger said. “But I think it helped them get over the hump to be able to start filming Season 3. They do not start filming for a season until fully funded.”

“Everybody who participated knew they had a very small purpose but were part of a  bigger production that we all made a very small contribution,” he added.

Unfortunately, Gloria was unable to make the trip but off went Deacon Messenger, donned in an authentic looking first century outfit sewed by Shirley Durouse, St. Margaret staff member and chairperson of the Altar Society. He settled into his hotel, which fell short of the glamour suites traditionally  reserved for A-listers, and less than 12 hours later was on the football field of a local high school football stadium ready for his debut. Fortunately, a torrid heat wave that is the signature of a west Texas summer had broken, and the majority of the day was filmed under a canopy of gray clouds and refreshing breezes. Tents, unlimited water and box lunches were provided.

“Thank goodness, the Lord really blessed us,” Deacon Messenger said. “The day before they were experiencing the higher temperatures were predicted and some people got exhaustion.”

The morning shoot included groups of 1,500 people each. Deacon Messenger positioned himself in the back of the large field so he was unable to be up close with the paid cast, although the actor who portrays Judas spent time in the rear area.

Each person was given a small piece of flat bread for the shoot, and all modern conveniences, such as cell phones and Deacon Messenger’s handless umbrella resting on his head had to be stashed.

Then came the command that brings chills to even the most experienced of performers: “Action.” The groups would return for a shoot with the entire 5,000  people later in the afternoon. Deacon Messenger, having learned his lesson in the morning, garnered a spot closer to the front, where he could see better.

After a nearly 12-hour day on the set, Deacon Messenger began his return to the 21st century, exhausted but energized by a brief glimpse into the life of an actor, minus, of course, the limos, private jets and adoring fans.

“I was not there in some hope of being discovered, but it was the experience that I expected to have and did have,” Deacon Messenger said. “Community and unity were very prevalent there from the people that were there. I met people from all over the country.”

“We put aside our differences, which are really minor, and focused on what we believe: the Trinity, that Jesus Christ is the son of God,” he added. “Those are the things that truly unite us and should focus on. That was the spirit of the day.”

Although already strong in his faith, Deacon Messenger said the experience profoundly impacted his life. 

“I think it’s going to be an experience I will remember for a long time,” he said. “I do believe in 10 years from now when (the series) is a tool that continues to bring about conversion, I will feel in a very, very small way I was part of that.”

When asked if he would be trading in his clergy vestments for the bright lights of Hollywood, Deacon Messenger was clear in his response.

“Bad news for (St. Margaret pastor) Father Jamin (David). I’m here to antagonize him,” he said with a chuckle.

Season 3 is expected to air later this fall or early next year and can be seen via Roku, live streaming or YouTube.