The Hollywood Prayer Network (HPN), an organization dedicated to supporting individuals in the entertainment industry through prayer and community, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Founded in 2001 by Karen Covell, the HPN aims to provide a faith-based network for actors, writers, directors, and producers navigating the challenges of Hollywood.
Covell, who has been involved in Hollywood for decades, established the network to bridge the gap between the church and the entertainment industry. She believed that believers in Hollywood needed support and that the industry itself could benefit from prayer. The organization offers services such as intercessory prayer, professional discipleship programs, networking opportunities, and Bible studies.
"We have a beautiful community here. You couldn't get me out of this place for anything because the people that are here are wonderful," Covell told Fox News Digital. She recalled that when she began, many people felt ostracized, with one foot in the church and another in Hollywood, and neither side fully accepting them.
Covell stated that the HPN's mission is rooted in the belief that prayer can foster understanding and connection. "I knew Hollywood didn't like the church because we were really terrible to them — we boycotted, we threw out our TVs, we burned their books — we wouldn't go to their movies, you know, but I believed if you pray for somebody, you can't hate them," she explained.
The network has extended its support to a wide range of individuals, including fledgling singers, and has offered prayer during periods of public scrutiny and personal struggle for figures like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Robert Downey Jr. also received prayer during his public battle with addiction.
The HPN also supports young talent through its monthly Kids Prayer Calendar, "Ones2Watch," praying for child and teen actors facing industry pressures. The organization has formed various community groups tailored to specific roles within the industry, such as directors, dancers, writers, comedians, and professionals in technology and AI. These groups provide mentorship, networking, and worship opportunities.
Covell, who recently stepped down from producing to focus on the HPN, noted the organization's steady growth. She described the early days as slow, with the ministry growing one person at a time. The network has expanded to include local chapters across the United States and international chapters in 42 countries, along with its own app detailing resources and events.
"We want to tell great stories that inspire people, that encourage people. And we want to know that we're not alone doing it. So, that's my purpose with the prayer network," Covell said. The HPN celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala in Los Angeles in August 2026.