By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Friday, November 20, 2015
TLC three years ago tried to mine the religious community of Atlanta with its reality show "The Sisterhood," focused on five preacher's wives.
But it wasn't a good fit for the home of the Duggars and Honey Boo Boo and failed to make an impact. It lasted just one season.
Now Oxygen is trying a similar tact but focusing on the preachers themselves with its "Preachers of Atlanta" reality show debuting Feb. 3, 2016 at 10. It's also more diverse: two black men, a white man, a white woman and a black woman.
One's a cop. Another is a gospel singer and former winner of BET's "Sunday Best." A third is a rapper and producer. A fourth is a life coach. The fifth is a fifth-generation preacher who is seeking to inspire youth ot ministry.
Oxygen, in a press release, described how the show isn't merely a standard reality show "drama" between people but "explores many of the most hot-button and polarizing issues in America today." There will be clashes over ministry methods and "the emotional effects of racial tensions with law enforcement."
The writer of the press release had fun writing this paragraph for sure:
"Preachers of Atlanta" offers a fresh perspective on men and women of the cloth determined to meet people in their current circumstances in order to inspire a resurgence of faith. Their ministries include communicating spiritual messages through hip-hop lyrics and venturing into the neighborhoods of Atlanta to find those in need. The pastors are real, passionate, and unashamed in their transparency, using their imperfections and out-of-the-box ways to reach a new generation for God.
The five cast members are Pastor Corey Hambrick, Pastor Le'Andria Johnson, Pastor Canton Jones, Pastor Kimberly Jones-Pothier, and Pastor Judah Swilley.
Here's the cast, according to said press release:
Pastor Corey Hambrick (@ckhambrick)
The Life Church Christian Center
An Atlanta native, Pastor Corey Hambrick is the pastor of the Life Church Christian Center. Recently celebrating its fourth year of ministry, the Life Church Christian Center has become one of the most buzzed-about churches in the Conyers community. First hearing the call of God at the early age of 14, Pastor Corey believes in the importance of building up the church and also the community. Living by his conviction to not only save souls but to also save lives, Pastor Corey divides his time between his ministry and being a Sergeant Detective at the City of Conyers Police Department.
Between spending quality time with his wife, Corrinne, and their beautiful daughters, Chloe and Mariah, uplifting his congregation, and defending the shield he wears with honor against those who question its merit, Pastor Corey remains committed to his work as both a pastor and a police officer.
Pastor Le’Andria Johnson (@ LeAndriaJ)
I.P.C. Ministries
A Grammy® Award-winning recording artist, Le’Andria Johnson currently pastors I.P.C. (Imperfect People Changing) Ministries in Atlanta. Employing what some may consider unorthodox methods in her ministry, she is willing to take extreme measures to reach those in need.
In addition to winning a Grammy, Le'Andria is a two-time Stellar Gospel Music Award winner and Billboard magazine's #1 Female Gospel Albums Artist of 2012. Le'Andria has taken the gospel music scene by storm since being crowned the season three winner of BET's "Sunday Best" in 2010. The Music World Gospel recording artist's groundbreaking and chart-topping debut CD, The Awakening of Le'Andria Johnson, entered at #1 on multiple music charts, including both the Billboard Top Gospel Albums and the Top Christian/Gospel Albums charts. The CD also debuted at #1 on the Christian Music Trade Association's Current Gospel Overall chart.
In 2011, Le'Andria received her first Grammy® Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music performance for her debut single, "Jesus." In 2012, she received her first NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary) for her current CD project, Le'Andria Johnson The Experience. Known for her captivating live performances, Le'Andria is expanding her music ministry and breaking new ground all over the world.
Pastor Canton Jones (@thecantonjones)
Free Life Church
A Florida native, Pastor Canton Jones found his ministering voice through the power of music and is the pastor of Free Life Church. Currently residing in Atlanta with his wife and business partner, Ramona, and their three sons--Justice, Dominion, and Canaan--and daughter, Love, Canton ministers with determination and transparency, in the hope that this generation will find ways to incorporate God’s word into their own lives.
Pastor Canton is the president of Cajo Records and serves as a media triple threat, working as a successful rapper, songwriter, and producer. Pastor Canton has performed in front of millions of people and released countless albums throughout his lucrative career. An award-winning artist, he has been nominated for a Grammy and a Stellar Award, and he has won three Gospel Choice Awards.
With a jam-packed schedule, Pastor Canton is faced with juggling his musical career, serving his congregation, and continuing to expand his musical ventures, all while preparing to welcome a new bundle of joy into the family.
Pastor Kimberly Jones-Pothier (@realtalkkim)
Church of the Harvest
Pastor Kimberly Jones-Pothier is a life coach and mentor with the desire to lead others to their purpose by realizing their passion. The daughter of two preacher parents, Pastor Kimberly and her husband, Mark Pothier, are Senior Pastors of Church of the Harvest in Fayetteville, Georgia, where they reside with their two sons, Morgan and Lyncoln.
Pastor Kimberly leads a movement called Conquering Hell in High Heels and travels the world preaching, teaching, and leading others as she "loves people back to life." A well-known evangelist, she balances running a thriving church and staying up-to-date with both her congregation and her social media followers. Her toughest challenge yet may be upon her as she prepares to meet her husband’s sons from a previous relationship for the first time while working to spark her own sons’ interest in the ministry.
Pastor Judah Swilley (@OfficialJudah)
The Movement
Judah Swilley grew up in the ministry and is a fifth-generation preacher. He recently launched a new church called The Movement, where he pastors full-time at weekly worship services, hoping to inspire youth to come back to the church. Judah feels that people, particularly youth, are hungry for God, but are done with the "division of religion." His goal is to bring people from all walks of life together in a mission to change the world. By presenting God in a loving light and relevant way, he feels that this next generation will fall in love with God the way he did so long ago.
Prior to starting The Movement, Judah served as Youth Pastor of Church In The Now for six years and grew the ministry to one of the largest youth outreaches in the Atlanta area. Judah travels to churches, conferences, and schools across the country to share his story and spread the love of Christ in a real and radical way. In addition to ministry, music has been one of Judah's premiere passions since he was just five years old. At 12, he released his first album and has since released many records that have received national attention, with his music being featured on numerous news channels, radio stations, and media outlets.
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