Tennessee Youth Pastor Shares Gospel with Celebrities

For the past decade, Dylan Novak, a youth pastor from Tennessee, has been dedicated to sharing the gospel with some of the most famous figures in entertainment, including presidents, musicians, and movie stars, one personalized Bible at a time.

What began as a passion during his teenage years—chatting about faith at Comic-Con—has evolved into a broader ministry. He’s connected with prominent figures like President Donald Trump, Ozzy Osbourne, and Tom Cruise, among others.

Novak recalls his epiphany about the need to reach out to celebrities at the age of 13, after an interview with actress Margot Kidder, who was openly skeptical about faith. He reflected, “These celebrities, people we admire, their souls are on their way to heaven or hell, just like you and me.”

As a youth pastor at Henners Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Rogersville, he was encouraged to share the gospel with musician James Taylor, who had indicated an openness to Jesus in a past interview. Though skeptical, this interaction paved the way for his ministry. “I felt happy doing what the Lord wanted me to do, but also burdened,” he said. “This is a forgotten missionary field.”

Novak approaches celebrity meetings very personally—he brings along custom gift bags that include a Bible with the celebrity’s name embossed on it, a handwritten letter addressing the individual’s past comments about faith, and sometimes additional resources like Lee Strobel’s works. He aims to create a safe space for dialogue, often stating that he respects their privacy. “If anyone has questions, they can contact me,” he mentioned, noting that many have reached out.

After meeting each celebrity, he shares a brief note and photo on social media, encouraging his followers to pray for them. Novak is careful about how he presents these encounters to avoid making the individuals feel exploited. “I want them to see it for what it is,” he said.

He recounts meeting Ozzy Osbourne and his family at a fan event in 2023, where he gifted the rock legend a Bible selected based on Osbourne’s past comments about struggling with the language of traditional texts. The modern translation elicited a smile from Ozzy, who remarked that it made sense, and feedback from his son Jack confirmed that the gift had a significant impact on their family discussions.

Reflecting on Ozzy’s faith journey, Novak expressed hope that the musician accepted Christ before his passing, stating, “Many people were praying for him.” The outpouring of interest after Osbourne’s death included numerous requests for gospel materials from others in the music industry who felt drawn to spirituality because of Ozzy’s legacy.

Novak also had a significant encounter with rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis, who had expressed fears about his afterlife. After praying for an opportunity to speak with him, Novak met Lewis at the airport following what turned out to be his final concert. They struck up a conversation using personal connections, which led to a heartfelt exchange about faith. Just days later, Novak received a note from Lewis affirming his faith in Jesus and announcing he was recording a gospel album.

In sharing these experiences, Novak emphasizes the power of reaching out, even to those who may seem far from faith. “It’s never too late for anyone,” he said, reflecting on Lewis’s late embrace of Christianity. He believes every interaction has the potential to help someone and that sometimes unexpected questions arise that lead to deeper conversations about spirituality.

Novak encourages fellow Christians to recognize the ongoing work behind the scenes that God is orchestrating. “This just shows how meaningful our interactions can be,” he concluded. “People are looking for hope.”