Sierra McClain Trades Scripted Roles for Real-World Faith Service

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Best known for her emotionally resonant roles in Empire and 9-1-1: Lone Star, Sierra McClain is now stepping away from scripted television to answer a higher calling. The 31-year-old actress recently launched a new faith-based devotional series titled Moments of Purpose on Glorify, the Christian app designed to guide users through Scripture and prayer.
The series, co-written with Chris Advansun, is a seven-day spiritual journey that explores personal transformation, purpose, and obedience to Godâs will.
While McClain has portrayed strong, faith-driven characters on screenâlike Grace Ryder, who left her job and family to serve with Mercy Shipsâthis new chapter is deeply personal. Itâs not a role; itâs her reality. âThis feels like a new chapter,â she shared in an interview. âBefore I committed, I had to sit with it and talk to God. It had to be more than a good opportunityâit had to be obedience.â
That obedience led her to partner with Mercy Ships, a Christian nonprofit offering free medical care through floating hospitals. What began as a fictional plotline in 9-1-1: Lone Star quickly became a divine appointment in McClainâs real life. After her characterâs departure from the show, Mercy Ships reached out with a surprising proposition: collaborate to bring faith and service together through storytelling.
The result is a heartfelt devotional series where McClain narrates each reflection, inviting listeners to reflect on their walk with God. Her approach is intimate and honest, drawing not from celebrity status but from raw spiritual experience. âI felt Jesus while I was writing it,â she said. âIt wasnât just about the wordsâit was about opening my heart.â
Themes of calling and clarity echo throughout the series. For McClain, purpose isn’t measured by success or visibility, but by obedience. Raised in a God-centered family, she credits her parents and sisters for modeling a life rooted in faith, not fame. âWeâve never chased success just to have it. Weâve chased obedience,â she said.
Though she hasnât served aboard a Mercy Ship yet, McClain is using her voice and platform to amplify its mission. âListening to the stories of those who serve was humbling,â she reflected. âIt made me want to experience that kind of purpose-driven life firsthand.â
Her journey also speaks to young Christians navigating todayâs achievement-focused culture. McClain acknowledges the fear that can come with stepping away from the crowd, but she encourages others to listen for God’s leading. âItâs okay to let go of the pressure. Prioritize your relationship with Him. Everything else follows.â
Through this shift, Sierra McClain reminds us that real transformation begins when the spotlight dims and the still, small voice of God is allowed to speak. Whether through media, ministry, or quiet obedience, her life is now a testimony to living with eternal purpose.
*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Youtube of Glorify App
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