Darian Sanders, best known for portraying Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, shared his remarkable journey from worship pastor to the Broadway stage. He reflected on how his 16 years in ministry shaped his approach to storytelling, excellence, and faith in the entertainment world. Darian emphasized that his transition wasn’t about leaving ministry but expanding it—seeing Broadway as a mission field where light and hope can shine in unexpected places. He recounted powerful moments of faith among cast members, worship nights led by the Lion King company, and his conviction that “Jesus is fully in this,” reminding the audience that faith thrives both inside and beyond church walls.
He spoke candidly about curiosity, calling it the bridge between storytelling and worship, and how wonder connects people to truth. Drawing from his new book Don’t Fear Your Roar, Darian encouraged creatives to step out in faith toward dreams that may seem unconventional or delayed, trusting God to equip them along the way. He closed with his original song “The Sun Will Rise,” written during the pandemic, offering a message of hope and resilience—reminding everyone that even in the darkest seasons, light always returns.
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