Faith before Career for Christian Actress Karen Abercrombie

There are roles that the star of "The Forge" turns down to stay true to her relationship with God.

Karen Abercrombie appears as "Miss Clara" in a scene from "The Forge." Image: Affirm Films.

Fans of the Christian filmmaking duo the Kendrick Brothers - Alex and Stephen - know Karen Abercrombie best from their film War Room. In that 2015 hit, she portrays a character named Miss Clara, a devout, elderly Believer who inspires others to turn to the Lord in prayer. That is also a part she is reprising in the Kendrick's current release, The Forge, which is now in its third weekend in theaters.

In an interview with Movieguide, Abercrombie says that "it was wonderful to get back with some of the old team from War Room," adding that she "love(s) working with the Kendrick Brothers," because of the authenticity of their faith.

"It's good. It's like you're working on good, fertilized, nutritious soil. And, so, the space then becomes one where the Spirit is everywhere, and the work, the work proves itself to be just that, you know: Spirit-filled."

The Pennsylvania native does not confine herself exclusively to faith-based projects, having played parts in secular fare like Ali McBeal, Vampire Diaries, and Saved by the Bell. She is now more careful, however, taking on only projects that do not contradict who she is as a follower of Christ.

"Once I really gave my life to the Lord, there were roles that I just could not do. And there have been times when I could really use a paycheck, but I have to say 'no,' you know, and trust that the Lord will send something else, open up another door for me to go through."

God has responded as only He can and "blessed" her "on so many levels" that she is "blown away." She added that His faithfulness heightens her responsibility to be a good steward of what He has given her talent-wise.

"The gifts He has given me, they're to bring light, they're to bring hope. And that is what I want to do, period."

In addition to The Forge, Abercrombie has another Christian project that just recently released. It is a streaming series called These Stones, as we previously reported, and in it she plays, Miriam, the sister of Moses from the Old Testament. You can catch that on the Up Faith & Family platform.