An Interview with Chuck Norris
This interview originally appeared in the Today’s Pentecostal Evangel. Published with permission.
Actor Chuck Norris is best known as a world-class martial artist and action star (see Cordell “Cord” Walker on Walker, Texas Ranger). But Norris also has a passion for Christ and is an outspoken supporter of U.S. troops stationed overseas. Eric Tiansay recently spoke with Norris, 68, for Today’s Pentecostal Evangel, about faith, fitness and the “Chuck Norris Facts.”
tpe: Tell us your story of accepting Christ as Savior.
NORRIS: I grew up in a Christian home. I accepted Christ as my Savior and was baptized when I was 12 years old. My mom is a devout Christian, and she made sure my brothers, Wieland, Aaron, and I went to church with her every Sunday. But when I got into the film world, I drifted from my faith and enjoyed the deceptive fruit of fame and fortune. It destroyed my first marriage. Fifteen years later, I met my second wife, Gena, who has strong faith very much like my mom. Gena led me back to my faith in 1998. Thank You, God.
tpe: What difference has Christ made in your life?
NORRIS: Many people believe if they were rich or famous, it would make them happy. Take it from me, that is not the case. The harder I worked to be richer or more famous, the bigger the hole got in my heart. Not until the Lord said it was time to come home did that emptiness in my heart finally heal. Since that time, I seem to be known more worldwide than I had been during my Walker series. The Lord has been very gracious and forgiving to me.
tpe: What is your favorite Bible verse and its significance?
NORRIS: Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Example: I always thought I would be teaching martial arts the rest of my life, but the Lord had bigger plans for me.
tpe: Tell us about your current workout routine.
NORRIS: My workout consists of 20 minutes on the Total Gym, stretching, bag work (heavy and speed bags), martial arts (chun kuk do and jujitsu). It takes about two hours total. Two days a week, I do all my kicks in the swimming pool.