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| In ], he started First Love, a ] church. He rented movie theaters and showed films as an evangelistic outreach. In 1988, his daughter, actress Karis Rossi was born. The following year, dramatic faith healings allegedly occurred again and became the subject of articles in the ''Pittsburgh Press'' and other newspapers. Rossi's second child, singer-songwriter Joshua Rossi, was born in 1991. In April, 1991, Rossi was reportedly suffering ] and isolated from media and followers. ] magazine attributed the depression to ]s of childhood ] Rossi suffered as a young performer. | In ], he started First Love, a ] church. He rented movie theaters and showed films as an evangelistic outreach. In 1988, his daughter, actress Karis Rossi was born. The following year, dramatic faith healings allegedly occurred again and became the subject of articles in the ''Pittsburgh Press'' and other newspapers. Rossi's second child, singer-songwriter Joshua Rossi, was born in 1991. In April, 1991, Rossi was reportedly suffering ] and isolated from media and followers. ] magazine attributed the depression to ]s of childhood ] Rossi suffered as a young performer. | ||
| In September, 1991, Rossi began nightly broadcasts of his controversial ] show ''Rich Rossi Live''. The ''Post Gazette'' reported fierce opposition to Rossi from established ], who said the miraculous signs and wonders |
In September, 1991, Rossi began nightly broadcasts of his controversial ] show ''Rich Rossi Live''. The ''Post Gazette'' reported fierce opposition to Rossi from established ], who said the miraculous signs and wonders the press reported were not biblical, because they were unique to Christ and the Twelve apostles in the first century to authenticate their message. Undaunted, Rossi's healing services grew from 200 to 2,000. Notable healings of heart ailments, back pain, and the curing of a ] member of cancer were reported on television. The services continued to grow, necessitating renting large municipal auditoriums such as the Soldiers and Sailor's Memorial Hall and Civic Arena in downtown Pittsburgh. Rossi was criticized by other clerics for his use of rock and roll music, his casual attire, and his criticism of conventional Christianity. | ||
| In September, 1992, the ] documentary "Quest for Truth" examined the healings and ]s in Rossi's meetings, and the church was besieged with seekers from around the world seeking a ] cure. | In September, 1992, the ] documentary "Quest for Truth" examined the healings and ]s in Rossi's meetings, and the church was besieged with seekers from around the world seeking a ] cure. | ||
Revision as of 19:21, 7 March 2006
Richard Rossi (b. March 2, 1963, Pittsburgh, PA,) American filmmaker, actor, musician, and healing evangelist. A child prodigy, he began playing guitar on stage for money at age seven, astounding some music critics with sophisticated jazz arrangements. As a teenager, he became a born again Christian, and developed a large international following for his unique brand of gospel rock, touring the world as a rock and roll preacher, usually in tandem with songwriting partner Johnny Walker. His story was featured twice on Pat Robertson's 700 Club and in the CBS documentary "Teen's Songs Turn Youth to God." The music from this period in his work is on the award-winning album "New Wine." Rossi was considered a pioneer by many in creating Christian rock for churches and a forerunner of contemporary praise and worship styles.
He moved to Lynchburg, Virginia at age 18 to study the Bible at Jerry Falwell's fundamentalist Liberty University, where he earned a Bachelors and Master's degree in Biblical Studies. In his sophomore year, he eloped, marrrying classmate Sherrie Plaugher on May 11, 1984 in a Lynchburg courthouse. In his senior year, he started his first church, "The Fellowship," which became the subject of controversy for faith healings, exorcisms, and speaking in tongues, practices frowned upon by the University.
His second church he created with partner Jack Sims, was called "Matthew's Party," (taken from the biblical story about Jesus eating with tax collector's and sinners at the home of Matthew, the gospel writer.) CNN, Christianity Today, and USA Today did stories about the controversial church meetings in bars, health clubs and nightclubs in Anaheim, CA., Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis.
In 1986, he started First Love, a charismatic church. He rented movie theaters and showed films as an evangelistic outreach. In 1988, his daughter, actress Karis Rossi was born. The following year, dramatic faith healings allegedly occurred again and became the subject of articles in the Pittsburgh Press and other newspapers. Rossi's second child, singer-songwriter Joshua Rossi, was born in 1991. In April, 1991, Rossi was reportedly suffering depression and isolated from media and followers. Charisma magazine attributed the depression to flashbacks of childhood abuse Rossi suffered as a young performer.
In September, 1991, Rossi began nightly broadcasts of his controversial radio show Rich Rossi Live. The Post Gazette reported fierce opposition to Rossi from established clergy, who said the miraculous signs and wonders the press reported were not biblical, because they were unique to Christ and the Twelve apostles in the first century to authenticate their message. Undaunted, Rossi's healing services grew from 200 to 2,000. Notable healings of heart ailments, back pain, and the curing of a Pittsburgh Symphony member of cancer were reported on television. The services continued to grow, necessitating renting large municipal auditoriums such as the Soldiers and Sailor's Memorial Hall and Civic Arena in downtown Pittsburgh. Rossi was criticized by other clerics for his use of rock and roll music, his casual attire, and his criticism of conventional Christianity.
In September, 1992, the FOX TV documentary "Quest for Truth" examined the healings and exorcisms in Rossi's meetings, and the church was besieged with seekers from around the world seeking a miracle cure.
In 1994, Rossi became the subject of tabloids, accused of depression, abuse of alcohol, and domestic assault by local police, resulting in a sensationalistic court trial. Sherrie Rossi testified the charges were untrue, causing the famous case to end in a hung jury. Richard was released from the local county jail after spending three months attending 12 Step Recovery meetings in prison. Rossi credits the Twelve Steps as a "vehicle of restoration." Immediately after his release, Rossi held a massive Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, arranging buses to transport the indigent, and the outreach to the poor was a top story on all three major networks.
In 1996, Sherrie Rossi published the book Assault of Justice: The Richard Rossi Mystery defending her husband from various tabloid stories. The Rossi's trials and tribulations were the lead story on international television shows such as Inside Edition, A Current Affair, Hard Copy, and American Journal with sensational lead-in teasers such as "The young, good-looking preacher is renowned for casting out demons, but rumors persist he cannot conquer his own demons." Some charismatic church theologians commented that Rossi was like the biblical Samson or King David in that he experienced a powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit and performed mighty acts for God, but he did not have the strength to overcome his own emotional struggles and temptations.
His public humiliation was a turning point that changed him. Vociferous condemnation of Rossi from some of his evangelical fans caused him to reevaluate the fundamentalist Christian world he had been a part of for so long. "We have a theological statement of salvation by grace, and we will embrace a notorious sinner who converts as a wonderful testimony, but when someone who has been a leader in the church needs help, fundamentalist Christians shoot their own wounded," Rossi said. "I found grace, compassion, and forgiveness from artists and bohemians who were not tied to religion, but connected to God."
Rossi left the evangelical subculture to express himself as an artist and released an alternative rock album Full Circle that was criticized by evangelical Christians because the album was confessional about his depression and struggles, with metaphors rather than explicit religious content. Rossi declared to the press that "Artists are the true spiritual leaders of society. Art is a ministry and ministry is an art."
In December, 1996, the Rossis relocated to Hollywood, and Rossi started acting lessons, studying with renowned acting teacher Milton Katselas. He acted in his first film Jesus 2000.
In 1998, he appeared in the first-run Broadway and Los Angeles tour of Elmer Gantry, playing the lead role in a play based on the Sinclair Lewis novel. Shirley Jones, who won an Oscar for the film version invited Rossi to her home because of his Gantry work. Rossi guested on her husband Marty Ingels radio show, discussing Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
He started house churches for actors and celebrities and ABC Entertainment news called him "Pastor to the Stars." His network of house churches grew to over 600 affiliated groups, operating under the name "Eternal Grace." The name was chosen by Rossi's wife Sherrie.
He became a successful working actor, with guest-starring roles on TV shows like Ally McBeal, The Practice, JAG, King of Queens, and Gilmore Girls.
In 2001, Rossi wrote and directed a short documentary film "Saving Sister Aimee" about fabled 1920's evangelist Aimee McPherson. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary short and won Best Documentary from the Motion Picture Council.
In 2005, Rossi decided Sister Aimee's story was worth telling a second time, so he wrote, directed, and acted in his feature film Aimee Semple McPherson starring actress Mimi Michaels as Aimee, and Ron Howard's actor-father Rance Howard as Aimee's beloved father James Kennedy. The film set attendance records in initial rough-cut screenings at the New Beverly Cinema and the Screen Actor's Guild in Hollywood. Leading magazines such as Christianity Today and Charisma praised the film as a "must-see." Rossi spoke at the screenings, sharing his faith and the history and importance of healing evangelism. In the October 2005 issue of Charisma magazine, Rossi said in an interview, "Making a movie about a wounded healer healed my own wounds. Sister Aimee's story is a story of grace, just like mine. And it's eternal grace that gives all of us sinners hope."
References
"Filmmaker Tells Story Of Wounded Healer", Donnally, Ed, Charisma Magazine (10/05)
"Sister's Story", Ministries Today Magazine (Nov/Dec. 2005)
"Finding Sister Aimee", Griffiths, Lawn, East Valley Tribune, (August 27, 2005)
"Filmmaker Pursues Controversial side of Denomination Founder", Sailhamer, Sue, Christian Examiner (November 2004)
"Elmer Gantry Play A Big Hit In Long Beach" Smith, David, Bixby Beat, (November 1998)
"Preacher Lands Ironic Role" Overshine, Gordon, Tribune Review, (April 3, 1998)
"Assault of Justice", by Rossi, Sherrie, Amazon, (Pub. 1995)
"Putting God Into Rock and Roll" Tipping, Emily, Butler Eagle, (June 8, 1994)
"In the Name of Jesus Christ You will Be Healed!" Bender, Jim, North Journal, (Dec. 17, 1992)
"Third Great Awakening" Ministries Today Magazine, (May/June 1992)
"Rich Rossi During PM Drivetime" Hickling, Cathy, Expression Magazine (11/91)
"Radio Revivalist Rattles Rivals", Melnick, Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post Gazette (9/91)
"Rock Assuages", O'Matz, Megan, Pittsburgh Press, (7/11/90)
"Area Pastor Says Faith Healing Real" Smart, Gil, Cranberry Review Journal, Front Page, (6/20/1990)
"Their Faith Beats the Odds" Bennett, Marcia, Post Gazette, (Fall, 1982)
"Singing Poets Spread Gospel" Guydon, Linda, Post Gazette, (Spring, 1981)
"Teens Songs Reflect Positive Outlook" Stackowitz, Grace, North Hills News Record, (Nov., 1980)
External links
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- the feature film directed by Richard Rossi
- church movement originating in Hollywood founded and led by Richard Rossi