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TechnoratiMany say Christian entertainment is a good couple of years behind mainstream entertainment, with some placing Christian radio behind by about five years and others even claiming that Christian media in general is more than a decade behind.
“I've always been frustrated by Christian media, which at best has lagged 10 years behind the mainstream and is often 30-40 years behind,” says Christian author and musician Jay L. Young of San Antonio, Texas. “Even the good media tends to be just ‘on par’ with mainstream media and true trailblazing is either excessively rare or (more likely) never gets a fair shake in the Christian marketing establishment.”
The latest example of this is the emergence of several Christian reality TV programs that have hit the Web and the airwaves in recent weeks.
Though reality television has been around as early as the 1940s and exploded in popularity globally starting in the early 2000s, a wellspring of Christian reality programs including “THEDRIVEtv,” “The Uprising,” and “Revolve: Rockin’ The Road” is just now entering the picture.
Debuts for the above-mentioned programs were in July, last Thursday, and last Friday, respectively.
All three programs target Christian youth and look to impact them with a positive message through exciting adventures and live, unrehearsed ministry.
"With the success of unscripted drama reality shows like The Hills and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, it's clear that television viewers connect with real life dramatic-in-nature programming,” commented Brad Siegel, vice chairman of Gospel Music Channel, which created “Revolve.”
“We wanted to create a show that was unique and aligned with our network's vision of inspiring, uplifting and entertaining through music,” he added in a public announcement.
Meanwhile, pro-skateboarder Jay Haizlip said it’s clear that there is a desperate need for a series like “The Uprising,” which follows him and two other pro-skaters as they spread the Gospel.
“People are struggling with real issues like alcohol and drug addiction, stints in jail, abuse, and problems with parents,” he said after ministering to people across the world. “We’re going to offer them hope through this show and let them know that God is on their side.”
In “The Uprising,” Haizlip and fellow skateboarders Christian Hosoi and Brian Sumner comb skate parks, backyard pools, and other hangouts in an effort to spread the Gospel. The series was birthed out of Haizlip’s The Sanctuary Church in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he serves as senior pastor, and his “The Uprising is Here” events, which bring pro skateboarders, live music, and the faith message to young people across the country. The events feature Hosoi and Sumner, as well as other pro-skateboarders.
According to Haizlip, every episode of “The Uprising” will be filled with light, energy, excitement, and most of all, purpose.
“This isn’t your grandmother’s Christian TV,” said Hosoi. “This is in-your-face modern day evangelism that gets down in the dirt with people to help them wrestle through their issues.”
In addition to a faith message, “The Uprising” also will showcase skate tricks and events and feature appearances by other pro-skaters like Paul Rodriguez, Chad Tim Tim, Ray Barbee, Jereme Rogers, Josh Harmony, and more.
“Revolve,” meanwhile, also has its share of Christian professionals – but mostly from the Christian music industry.
The series, which premiered Friday, follows the cast and crew of The Revolve Tour as they travel the country, hitting cities with weekend events geared toward teen girls and talking to teens along the way about tough topics like dating, tattoos and everyday challenges.
As four friends – two guys and two gals – trek across America, hitting nine different Christian music festivals, “Revolve” captures their collective quest to maintain spiritual peace and discipline amid logistical challenges, self goals, and inevitable relationship struggles. Continue >>
