“I want to do something significant with my life.” This was one of the comments made by Mark Burnett when he attended the ELO World Conference in Vancouver in Fall 2013 to accept the ELO Entrepreneurial Leaders Award.

 Mark Burnett was at that time (and likely still is now) the top TV producer in Hollywood. He had originated four shows which were top in their category every night on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of every week: Survivor, Shark Tank, Celebrity Apprentice and The Voice. In addition, against the odds, he had bankrolled and produced The Bible miniseries which got picked up by The History Channel—no major network would touch it. He then did a theatrical release of “The Son of God” movie.

 How does someone get to that position in Hollywood? Typically, not the way Mark got there. He was born in working class east London, his dad worked at the Ford Motor Company. He left home to join the British army and became a paratrooper, including involvement in the Falklands War. After that stint he pursued his adventure and came to America.

 He arrived in Los Angeles with little in his pocket. The best he could do was to get a job as a nanny. Yes, as a nanny! Here’s a British paratrooper doting on a couple of kids for some rich guy in Beverly Hills. He had ambition, however, like many immigrants before him to chase his dream in a new land.

 He began selling T-Shirts on Venice Beach and learned a few things along the way. He then bought some property and began accumulating some money. He got involved in an “eco-challenge,” which tied in with his paratrooper background—he loves a sense of adventure.

 He grew up with a faith, but it was energized when he met and then married Roma Downey, the actress and former star of “Touched by an Angel.” He has done careful self-reflection and looked at how he can leverage his resources to make the maximum Kingdom impact.

 Who else would have the track record, connection and resources to get a Bible miniseries produced? Hollywood is not a hotbed of biblical practice and fervor. Even with his stature he still couldn’t get a major network to take on the series. As he told me, “you still need to prove yourself with every project.”

 He is passionate about getting the biblical message to the world through media. He talks about kids knowing all the other stories—but they are biblically illiterate.

 He is passionate about uniting Christians for great global impact. In his stirring speech to the ELO conference he noted how “the world will be won when we are one.” He decried that fact that Christians are the largest and most ineffective tribe in the world.

 He wants to be a “noisy Christian.” He says people have to talk to him, such as in interviews, and he talks about his faith whether they want to hear it or not.

 Mark Burnett is living out his calling, leveraging his resources for maximum impact. Is he in the entertainment industry or in ministry? Should he simply fund others who are doing good work? God plans in advance of our ability to understand—he has accumulated expertise and experience that can be used for Kingdom building purposes.

 His passion and enthusiasm for his good work are obvious. Despite a hectic schedule, during his visit to Vancouver he was exceedingly gracious. After the ballroom had emptied out late into the evening my wife and I were there with him, as the banqueting staff rolled out the last tables. I remarked on the fact that he patiently spoke with every last person. He said, “I never want anyone to say I didn’t have time for them.”

 Mark Burnett is a great example of someone passionately living out their calling.