Sierra McClain Answers God’s Call: From Hollywood to Faith-Driven Outreach

Actress Sierra McClain partners with Mercy Ships and the Glorify app to amplify faith, service, and hope through storytelling and devotionals.

Written By Tabitha Howard // EEW Magazine Online

Photo Credit: Sierra McClain Instagram

Sierra McClain, best known for roles in Empire and 9-1-1: Lone Star, is stepping beyond Hollywood, using her platform to champion faith-based service through partnerships with Mercy Ships and the Christian app Glorify.

Mercy Ships, founded in 1978, is a global Christian nonprofit that deploys floating hospitals to some of the world’s most underserved communities. Staffed by volunteer medical teams, the ships provide free surgeries and healthcare, treating conditions like cleft palates, tumors, and traumatic injuries, while also training local health workers.

McClain’s interest in Mercy Ships was sparked when her 9-1-1: Lone Star character, Grace Ryder, departed the show to volunteer with the organization, reports The Christian Post. Soon after, the 31-year-old was invited to support the mission, not as a medical volunteer, but as a storyteller amplifying the voices of those who serve and the lives they touch.

“Mercy Ships represents what happens when people answer God’s call in practical, sacrificial ways,” McClain said. She has not served aboard a ship but is committed to raising awareness about the work.

In tandem, McClain partnered with Glorify, a mobile app designed to make daily devotion accessible through scripture, prayer, and meditation. Her seven-day audio devotional series reflects her personal faith journey and encourages listeners to seek God’s guidance in everyday life, reports People.

“My spiritual walk has always been personal, and I had to talk to God first before saying yes,” McClain told The Christian Post. She described the writing process as deeply prayerful, aiming for authenticity. “I felt Jesus throughout it,” she said.

Raised in a faith-centered household with sisters Lauryn and China Anne McClain, she credits her family with teaching her to prioritize spiritual integrity over career ambitions. That foundation, she said, shapes her choices today.

“It can be scary to follow God’s leading,” McClain acknowledged. “But I encourage people to stay open to His direction, even when it’s unfamiliar.”

Through both Mercy Ships and Glorify, McClain hopes to point others toward faith-driven purpose, highlighting how service and storytelling can together advance hope and healing.