GSN Television Network, well-known
for its hit show "American Bible Challenge," is debuting a new show,
"It Takes a Church," where church members compete to find a soul mate
for one unsuspecting single.
"There are a growing number of
singles in the church who do not want to be single," award-winning gospel
artist Natalie Grant told The Christian Post on Monday. Grant said these
unhappy singles" are finding it harder and harder to meet quality men and
women of integrity." Rather than frequenting nightclubs or bars, or
resorting to online dating to find someone new, these unmarried Christians
might be part of a grand experiment involving church "cupids." Nawa o, toh they have started competing for soulmate in church. At first I did'nt believe it but it is really happening. It is well o. See how the competition will go after the cut...
"Each week, 'It Takes A Church'
visits a congregation from across the country to surprise one unsuspecting
single with the news that they're about to be saved from the dating
world," explains the GSN website. "The church's pastor will task
their congregation of cupids to find the best possible matches for the dater,
but in the end, our single will decide which suitor to put their faith
in."
The "cupid" whose suitor
is chosen will have a donation made to the church in their name, according to
Sean Jennings, director of Corporate Communications and Publicity at GSN.
Grant believes one of the best
places for singles to find their soul mates is in the church. She described it
as "the place where you've chosen to make community, build relationships,
let people get to know who you really are." When a Christian makes a
church his or her home, the congregation forms a community of friends, and
"those people have your best interests at heart." Not only that, but
they "may just know someone who would be a good match for you, who shares
your same values and morals," she said.
Grant insisted that neither she nor
the show condemns singleness. "I do not think there is anything wrong with
being single; … prolonged singleness is not a social problem if the person
wants to be single," the artist explained. "If someone feels called
to singleness, this show is not for them."
While "It Takes a Church"
does have some elements of a game show – with contestants vying to be the best
cupid – Grant explained that it carries none of the gimmicks common to shows
like "The Bachelor." In the church show, "there are no rose
ceremonies, no fantasy suites, no expected proposal at the end." Even when
the couple is set up, they are not pressured to take the next steps.
"It's encouraging friendships,
and if nothing else, helps the church community grow together as a whole, and
have fun in the process," Grant explained. She said she was inspired to
join the show because it will visit many churches across America and showcase the
beautiful community of the nation's churches. It will also demonstrate, in a
concrete way, "how God's people look out for one another," she added.
When asked if the show delves into
various cultural issues, like the use of pornography in the church or the
debate about the age of marriage, Grant said it does not dismiss those issues,
but instead focuses on helping people in need. "This show is about helping
a given single person meet other singles who have been vetted by trusted
members of the church community and the pastor," she explained.
"It's sweet, innocent,
warm-hearted, family-friendly entertainment," Grant concluded.
While GSN has not announced an air
date for the show, it has announced that it will air this year. The promotional
video invites churchgoing viewers to sign their church up to be considered for
casting.
Amy Introcaso-Davis, GSN's EVP of
Programming, stated, "With the breakout success of our original series
'The American Bible Challenge,' we have learned that audiences are clamoring to
see people following their faith and creating positive change in the world—and
if there's a little romance involved, what could be better than that?"
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