One of Hollywood’s Brightest Lights Needs Your Prayers
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”
-Philippians 1:21-24
Beloved Act One Resident Faculty Member and Two Handed Warrior contributor, Jack Gilbert is fighting for his life tonight. A virulent pneumonia attack has seriously damaged his lungs resulting in dangerously low blood oxygen levels.
Jack has devoted his entire life to mentoring and teaching the next generation. As a Young Life leader in Ohio, Jack helped lead innumerable high school students to faith. Best-selling author Kelly Monroe Kullberg (Finding God at Harvard) writes: “Jack was one of the Ohio youth group leaders who led me to Christ. Many can say the same thing of him. We’re praying in Ohio and around the nation. We love him dearly.”
In Hollywood, Jack served as the Director of the Warner Bros. Writers Workshop, the entertainment industries most prestigious writing program, and now teaches screenwriting at colleges such as Regent University (VA), Azusa Pacific University (CA), and Columbia College (IL). Jack was instrumental in establishing Act One’s TV Track Writing Program that has placed many writers in network writing workshops and television shows.
Jack worked for me while I was Executive Director at Act One, but he is the one who has mentored me. In our still ongoing long lunches at Sharky’s Mexican Grill (Jack is on a first name basis with everyone there), Jack never ceases to amaze me with insight into life in Christ, and what it takes to make it as a Christian in the entertainment industry. In a Hollywood community that seems to relish dishing on one another at will, I have never heard Jack say a negative word about anyone. His faith and faithfulness have been an inspiration to everyone who knows him.
Now, we are in danger of losing this beloved man of God. As of this afternoon, Jack’s condition continues to deteriorate. Janet Scott Batchler, who first insisted Jack go to the hospital and has overseen his care ever since, reports: “Jack’s oxygen numbers continue to drop, even since this morning, even after they went to the next level of extreme measures. Without a miracle turnaround in his oxygen levels, there is little hope of his surviving much longer.” While Jack wins if he departs into the presence of his Savior, it is more necessary for the Hollywood community that he remains in the body. We don’t know how we could make it without him.
So please pray for Jack’s comfort and healing.
Update: Act One TV Writing Program Alum Mollie Bickley St John has organized a Facebook Prayer Group for Jack at 7PM this evening. Visit Pray for Jack Gilbert
Act One’s Latest Writing Program Promotional Video Features Jack
As a “shirt tail” friend of Jack’s (I’ve known him for about 30 years but don’t see each other in person very often, since I’m in Virginia…mostly email and letters) it really did my heart good to see and hear him in the promo. Thanks so very much for sharing it. It really touched my heart.
A lovely post, Gary. Thank you.
YOU are the lovely one for all your kindness and care for Jack! You are very much in Sue and my prayers as well. Please let me know if there is anything more we can do.
Gary,
Thanks for sharing about Jack.
Thank you so much, Dra!
Praying for your friend. He is leaving a legacy worth honoring because he honors Jesus. May he fulfill the number of his days in peace and grace.
Thank you, Bill, Should have known you’d be the first one to respond.