Gordon: COMING UP, FIND
OUT WHAT YOU'RE MISSING AT
CHURCH.
* YOU AIN'T NEVER SEEN A
CHURCH LIKE THIS *
WE
Gordon: ON TODAY'S "700
CLUB INTERACTIVE."
* I'M A PREACHER FROM AN
OUTCAST *
Gordon: ON "700 CLUB
INTERACTIVE," WE USE
TECHNOLOGY TO PRAY FOR EACH
OTHER, AND EXPLORE TOPICS
THAT MATTER TO YOU.
WATCH WHAT GOD IS DOING IN
THE WORLD TODAY.
Gordon: WELCOME TO THE
PROGRAM, AND THANKS FOR
JOINING US.
A 201 2012 GALLOP POLL
REPORTS THAT MANY AMERICANS
CLAIM TO BE CHURCH-GOERS,
BUT WHEN YOU DIG A LITTLE
DEEPER, POLLSTERS DISCOVER
THAT PEOPLE ARE LYING ABOUT
THEIR CHURCH ATTENDANCE.
IN REALITY, LESS THAN 25% OF
AMERICANS GO TO CHURCH ON A
REGULAR BASIS.
ONE ORGANIZATION IS TRYING
TO CHANGE THOSE STATISTICS,
WITH A LITTLE HUMOR,
COMBINED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.
*
[RAP MUSIC]
* AT CHURCH SUNDAY
* YOU AIN'T NEVER SEEN A
CHURCH LIKE THIS *
*
WE GOT LIGHTS, CAMERAS,
PLENTY OF ACTION *
* I GOT MY TRUCK STOLE, I'M
A PREACHER FROM AN
OUTCLASS *
* SO BEFORE YOU SAY I'M
THROUGH WITH IT *
* TAKE IT TO CHURCH, MAN,
EVERYBODY IS DOING IT *
* THE DEACON IS ON THE
SCENE *
* LAYING IT DOWN
* EVERYBODY KNOWS, I'M
LOVING THIS TOWN *
* I MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
* MEET ME AT THE WATER, AND
I'LL BAPTIZE YOU *
* WAIT FOR MY SIGNAL
NOW BUST OUT THE HYMNAL *
* WE GOING BACK TO CHURCH
* WE GOING BACK TO CHURCH.
*
EVERYBODY IN THE NATION,
FIND A LOCATION *
* BACK TO CHURCH, WE GOING
BACK *
* YO, I GET IT.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE *
* MAYBE A SMALL CHURCH IS
MORE YOUR STYLE *
* EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR
NAME *
* JUST GET DOWN TO THE
CHURCH PICNIC *
* BACK TO CHURCH IS A
CELEBRATION *
* WHATCHA WAITIN' FOR
* I HOPE YOU'RE REGISTERED
WHEN DADDY HITS THE STAGE *
* WE GET WILD, DANCING IN
THE AISLES *
* PLEASE, SOMEBODY, CAN I
GET AN AMEN FROM THE BACK
SEAT *
* BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY
* TIME FOR A COMEBACK.
*
* BACK TO CHURCH, WE GOING
BACK TO CHURCH *
* BACK TO CHURCH, WE GOING
BACK TO CHURCH *
* ALL OF THE PEOPLE GET TO A
STEEPLE *
* BACK TO CHURCH, WE GOING
BACK TO CHURCH.
*
* BACK TO CHURCH, WE GOING
BACK TO CHURCH *
* EVERYBODY IN THE NATION,
FIND A LOCATION *
* BACK TO CHURCH, WE GOING
BACK *
Gordon: PLEASE WELCOME
THE CREATOR OF THE BACK TO
CHURCH RAP.
ERIC ABLE.
WELCOME TO "700 CLUB
INTERACTIVE."
THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
I APPRECIATE THAT TODAY.
Gordon: WHY DID YOU
CREATE THE RAPPING PASTOR'S
VIDEO?
YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST
AMAZING HOW IT HAS GONE
VIRAL.
WE GOT OVER 500,000 VIEWS ON
YouTube, BUT IT ALL
STARTED IT WITH A STRATEGY,
THAT WE WANTED TO INVITE
PEOPLE IN AMERICA BACK TO
CHURCH.
IT WAS ALL PART OF NATIONAL
"BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY,"
WHICH WAS AN ANNUAL EVENT
BACK IN SEPTEMBER.
WE ASKED OURSELVES SEVERAL
QUESTIONS: HOW COULD WE GET
PEOPLE BACK TO CHURCH?
HOW COULD WE EQUIP THE
CHURCH TO INVITE?
WHAT COULD WE DO TO PAINT A
PICTURE OF THE CHURCH THAT
IS RELEVANT FOR EVERY DAY
LIFE, AND SOMETHING THAT IS
FUN AS WELL?
AND ALSO, WE THOUGHT ABOUT
IT IN TERMS OF THE
DE-CHURCHED AND THE
UNCHURCHED.
AND HOW COULD WE MAKE IT
LOOK LIKE NATIONAL BACK TO
CHURCH SUNDAY IS A SAFE DAY,
AND MANY OTHERS ARE GOING TO
BE PARTICIPATING IN THAT.
AND WE ALSO WANTED TO
PERSUADE MEN.
I THINK PART OF THIS VIDEO
IS THAT IDEA, PUT THE FAM IN
THE BAM MAN, BACK TO
CHURCH.
IF WE CAN GET THE MEN TO
COME TO CHURCH, THEN THE
FAMILY WILL FOLLOW.
THAT WAS SOME OF THE
MOTIVATION.
Gordon: HOW EFFECTIVE
WAS IT?
HAVE YOU SEEN ANY
INCREASES?
OH, YEAH.
WE CONDUCTED SURVEY OF
PARTICIPATING CHURCHES, AND
THEY SAID BY FAR IT WAS THE
MOST USEFUL TOOL THEY USED
TO REACH OUT TO THEIR
COMMUNITY.
PARTICIPATING CHURCHES WERE
RECORDING A 38% INCREASE IN
ATTENDANCE ON THAT SUNDAY.
SO THE VIDEO DID ATTRIBUTE
TO THAT.
I THINK IT HELPS PEOPLE TO
RECONSIDER COMING BACK TO
CHURCH IN A WAY THAT THEY
NEVER HAVE BEFORE.
I PULLED WASN'T QUOTE OFF OF
Facebook.
YOU CAN GO TO Facebook AND
YouTube TO SEE PEOPLE
TALKING ABOUT IT, BOTH
PASTORS AND INDIVIDUALS.
THIS IS FROM A COLIN
CAMPBELL, "THIS VIDEO
HONESTLY MOTIVATED ME TO
ATTEMPT TO GO BACK TO
CHURCH.
I'M A LITTLE SCARED, THOUGH,
BECAUSE I'M AFRAID OF BEING
JUDGED.
BUT THIS VIDEO MAKES IT A
LITTLE LESS SCARY TO GO BACK
TO CHURCH."
SO WE'RE SEEING SOME GREAT
COMMENTS FROM PASTORS, AS
WELL AS INDIVIDUALS.
Gordon: IT IS
INTERESTING THAT HE IS
WORRIED ABOUT BEING JUDGED.
THE STATS ARE SHOWING 2% OF
THE AMERICANS WHO ARE GOING
TO CHURCH -- ONLY 2% OF THEM
INVITE NON-CHRISTIANS.
WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?
WELL, YEAH, THE STUDY IS
FROM RESEARCH, AND IT SHOWS
THAT NOT ONLY 2% AREN'T
INVITING, BUT IT SHOWED THAT
82% OF PEOPLE WOULD COME TO
CHURCH IF SIMPLY INVITED BY
A FRIEND.
SO I THINK SOME OF IT COULD
BE THAT CHURCHES JUST AREN'T
PROMOTING IT, FRANKLY.
THEY ARE NOT REALLY
ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO INVITE
AND COME BACK TO CHURCH.
THAT IS ONE OF THE GREAT
THINGS ABOUT "BACK TO CHURCH
SUNDAY."
IT GIVES A SINGLE DAY THAT
THE PEOPLE IN THE PEWS
REALIZE EVERYBODY IN THE
CONGREGATION HAS TO BE
INVITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY
AND NEIGHBORS.
I THINK THAT IS ONE BIG
REASON, FRANKLY, THAT
CHURCHES REALLY AREN'T
TALKING ABOUT IT.
Gordon: HOW DO WE GET,
I GUESS, PEOPLE GOING TO
CHURCH INTERESTED IN -- I
DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WORD FOR
IT, MARKETING.
WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE
FIRST CENTURY, THEY WERE
REALLY GOOD AT MARKETING.
THEY WOULD GO HOUSE TO HOUSE
AND INVOLVE WHOLE FAMILIES
AND DO IT THAT WAY.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO INSPIRE
PEOPLE TO SORT OF RETURN
BACK TO THAT?
WELL, I THINK PART OF IT
IS PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY THEIR
CHURCHES.
THEY FIND GREAT COMFORT
THERE.
THEY FIND GREAT ENTHUSIASM
AND COMMUNITY.
AND SO IT IS JUST A MATTER
OF HOW CAN WE GET PEOPLE TO
COMMUNICATE THAT LOVE OF
CHURCH THROUGH THEIR
NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS?
IF YOU LOOK BACK IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT, OF COURSE, GOD
USED CHURCH GROWTH IN A
COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
ONE, THE GROWTH FROM OUTSIDE
IN, AS PEOPLE CAME AND MORE
PEOPLE CAME TO CHURCH, THE
NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH SPREAD
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
BUT, REALLY, I THINK IT IS
GOING TO TAKE GROWTH FROM
WITHIN.
AND GOD SEEMS TO USE THAT.
IF YOU LOOK AT ACT 2, IN THE
EARLY CHURCH, WHERE IT SAYS
THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO
FELLOW TEACHING, AND THEY
WERE REALLY INTO THEIR
CHURCH.
AND AS THEY GREW
SPIRITUALLY, NOW ALL OF A
SUDDEN THE CHURCH GREW.
AND THAT VERSE ALSO TALKS
ABOUT HOW THE CHURCH GREW IN
NUMBERS.
THERE IS THIS INTERESTING
MIX THAT GOD USES, THAT
SPIRITUAL GROWTH WITHIN THE
CHURCH TO REALLY GROW THE
CHURCH IN ATTENDANCE AND
MULTIPLY THE CHURCH.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED THE
30-DAY CHURCH CHALLENGE.
YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT IT AT
backtochurch.com IT HELPS
THE CONGREGATION ENGAGE IN
CHURCH.
Gordon: WHAT DO YOU
HAVE PLANNED FOR 2013?
WE'VE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT
2013.
WE REALIZE THAT THE LORD IS
IN CONTROL OF IT ALL.
OUR VISION TO HAVE 20,000
PLUS CHURCHES INVOLVED IN
"BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY," AND
THIS LAST YEAR WAS ABOUT
13,000 CHURCHES.
WE'VE GOT MORE RESOURCES AND
VIDEOS AND BANNERS AND
GRAPHICS AND POSTCARD
MAILINGS, AND THINGS THAT
CHURCHES CAN USE TO REACH
OUT TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
A LOT OF NEW IDEAS, BUT
WE'RE HOPING FOR ABOUT
20,000 CHURCHES TO BE
INVOLVED.
Gordon: ALL RIGHT.
THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND
OUT MORE, YOU CAN EITHER GO
TO OUR WEBSITE,
700clubinteractive.com, OR
backtochurch.com AND YOU
CAN GET MORE INFORMATION.
ERIC, THANKS AGAIN FOR BEING
WITH US.
EFFICIENT IT, THANKS.
Gordon: COMING UP, FROM
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE TO
TALKING ROBOTS.
GET A LOOK AT WHAT GOES INTO
EVERY EPISODE OF
"SUPERBOOK."
THAT'S UP NEXT.
Gordon: IN THE MOVIE
BEN HURR, THE ROMANS FIGHT A
FLEET.
AND IN 10 COMMANDMENTS,
MOSES STARTS WALKING OUTCH
EGYPT, BUT IN THE WRONG
DIRECTION.
THESE ARE JUST EXAMPLES OF
HOW HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T ALWAYS
DO ITS HOMEWORK.
BUT, AS YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE,
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY
ABOUT THOSE BLUNDERS WHEN
WATCHING "SUPERBOOK."
I AM TAKING TO MEET A MAN
WHO STOOD UP FOR WHAT HE
BELIEVED WAS RIGHT.
Reporter: WHEN YOU'RE
WATCHING "SUPERBOOK," YOU'RE
NOT JUST WATCHING ANIMATED
BIBLE STORY.
YOU'RE ALSO WATCHING ONE OF
THE MOST ACCURATE PORTRAYALS
OF THE ANCIENT MIDDLE EAST
EVER PUT INTO A CARTOON.
IT APPEARS IN ANCIENT
BABYLON,APPROXIMATELY 500
B.C.
EVERY SHOT HAS BEEN
CHECKED, FROM THE CLOTHES TO
THE ARMOR, EVEN DOWN TO THE
TAPESTRIES.
IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT BACK
THEN, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
HAVE IT IN "SUPERBOOK."
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE: TAKE A
LOOK AT THIS SHOT.
IT IS ONLY UP THERE FOR A
FEW SECONDS.
SO IF YOU BLINK, YOU MIGHT
MISS IT.
THAT MASSIVE BLUE STRUCTURE
IS CALLED THE ISHTAR GATE.
IT WAS FAITHFULLY
RECONSTRUCTED BY OUR
"SUPERBOOK" ANIMATORS 2500
YEARS LATER.
THAT GATE IS STILL AROUND,
ONLY IT IS NOT IN BABYLON
ANYMORE.
IT IS NOW STANDING AT A
MUSEUM IN GERMANY.
OUR PRODUCERS SAW THE GATE,
AND MADE SURE WHEN WE DREW
IT, WE HAD THE RIGHT COLORS,
THE RIGHT SIZE, AND ALL OF
THOSE LINES ON THE WALL
FACING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.
Gordon: THE REASON IS
WE WANT TO LET CHILDREN KNOW
THIS IS A REAL PLACE, AND A
REALTIME, AND THIS IS AN
HISTORICAL EVENT THAT
HAPPENED.
Reporter: AND IT IS NOT
JUST THE BACKGROUND.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF
THIS OUTRAGE?
Reporter: TAKE THIS
HANDSOME FELLOW.
HIS NAME IS DARIUS THE
GREAT.
HE WAS A REIGNING EMPIRE
BETWEEN 522 AND 486 B.C.
HE IS ALSO THOUGHT TO BE THE
THE DARIUS REFERRED TO IN
THE BOOK OF DANIEL.
YOU ARE WISE ABOVE ALL
MEN IN MY KINGDOM.
Reporter: WE DIDN'T
JUST DRAW HIM WITH THE ZZ
TOP BEARD BECAUSE IT IS
COOL, THAT IS EXACTLY THE
WAY HE LOOKS.
EVEN A KING CAN BE
UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHAT IS
RIGHT.
Gordon: THE MORE
HISTORICALLY ACCURATE WE CAN
MAKE THEM, THE LONGER THE
SERIES WILL LAST.
Reporter: THE
FOUNDATION OF ANY
"SUPERBOOK" EPISODE IS THE
BIBLE STORY.
WHETHER IT IS DANIEL AND THE
LIONS' DEN OR MOSES AND
CREATION.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE
STORY BEING TOLD BY US
MATCHES UP WITH THE STORY
BEING TOLD IN THE BIBLE,
EVEN DOWN TO THE DIALOGUE,
WHICH COMES DIRECTLY FROM
THE SCRIPTURES.
LONG LIVE THE KING!
MY GOD SENT HIS ANGELS TO
SHUT THE LIONS' MOUTHS SO
THEY WOULD NOT HURT ME.
Reporter: ULTIMATELY,
THE GOAL OF "SUPERBOOK" IS
TO TEACH KIDS AROUND THE
WORLD ABOUT THE BIBLE.
THAT'S WHY THIS SERIES WILL
BE TRANSLATED INTO 18
LANGUAGES.
WE HOPE THAT IN THE NEXT FEW
YEARS, 300 MILLION CHILDREN
WILL HEAR STORIES, FROM
GENESIS TO REVOLUTION
THROUGH "SUPERBOOK," AND
MANY OF THOSE KIDS WILL BE
HEARING ABOUT THE BIBLE FOR
THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME
THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE SUCH A
STICKLER FOR ACCURACY.
WE JUST ADDED THE TALKING
ROBOT.
Gordon: IF YOU WANT TO
TAKE THE BIBLE TO THE
CHILDREN OF THE WORLD,
THAT'S OUR GOAL.
OUR GOAL IS OVER THE NEXT
FIVE YEARS, 300 MILLION
CHILDREN WATCHING
"SUPERBOOK" EPISODES AROUND
THE WORLD.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF
TRANSLATING THE SERIES INTO
38 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE
LAUNCH IN THE FIRST AND
SECOND QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR,
2013.
AND WE'RE JUST IN
ANTICIPATION OVER WHAT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN, HOW A WHOLE
GENERATION CAN KNOW THE
STORIES OF THE BIBLE.
NOW, WHAT DO WE NEED?
WE NEED HELP WITH THE
PRODUCTION COSTS.
THESE ARE EXPENSIVE EPISODES
TO MAKE.
WE'VE GOT A VERY SPECIAL
CHRISTMAS OFFER FOR YOU.
WE'VE GOT THE LATEST
EPISODE, WHICH IS THE LAST
SUPPER, AND WE'RE GOING TO
PAIR THAT WITH THE FIRST
CHRISTMAS, WHICH WE OFFERED
BEFORE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO
OFFER IT AGAIN.
SO YOU CAN HAVE PLENTY OF
STOCKING STUFFERS, AND WE'RE
INVITING YOU TO JOIN THE
"SUPERBOOK" D.V.D.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS FOR A
GIFTER OF $25, WE'LL SEND
YOU NOT JUST ONE COPY OF THE
D.V.D., WE'LL SEND YOU
THREE.
AS NEW EPISODES ARE CREATED,
YOU'LL BE FIRST IN LINE TO
GET THEM.
YOU'LL GET THREE VERSIONS,
SO YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY TO
SHARE WITH YOUR RELATIVES,
FAMILY, WITH CHURCH, SUNDAY
SCHOOLS, CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS.
WE WANT TO GET THE STORIES
OF THE BIBLE OUT.
NOW, THE SPECIAL OFFER FOR
CHRISTMAS IS YOU GET THE
LATEST EPISODE, "THE LAST
SUPPER," AND YOU GET THREE
VERSIONS OF THAT, AND THEN
YOU GET "THE FIRST
CHRISTMAS," AND THREE
VERSIONS OF THAT AS WELL, SO
YOU HAVE PLENTY OF STOCKING
STUFFERS FOR THIS
CHRISTMAS.
DO IT NOW, BE PART OF IT.
JOIN THE "SUPERBOOK" D.V.D.
CALL US, 1-888-777-1999.
OR YOU CAN LOG ON TO
CBN.COM.
AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO
JOIN THE SOP SUPER D.V.D.,
YOU CAN JUST GET "THE LAST
SUPPER" AS A SINGLE EPISODE,
FOR A GIFT OF $25, A
ONE-TIME GIFT OF $25.
UP NEXT, MTV CAME CALLING,
AND CHRIS ANSWERED.
TWO MONTHS LATER, HIS SHOW
WAS CANCELLED.
I WAS, LIKE, MAN, I
THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE
THE THING.
NOW WHAT?
NOW I'M A COLLEGE DROPOUT,
THE SHOW DIDN'T GET PICKED
UP, AND NOW I HAVE NOWHERE
TO GO.
Gordon: WATCH OUT HOW
LOSING HIS JOB LED TO
FINDING HIS CALLING.
AFTER THIS.
Gordon: YOU MIGHT
RECOGNIZE CHRIS GRABBY, IF
YOU'RE A FAN OF MTV'S ROAD
RULES.
BUT CHRIS WAS NEVER YOUR
TYPICAL MTV CELEBRITY.
WHEN HE READ HIS BIBLE ON
THE SET, HE GOT LOTS OF
QUESTIONS FROM HIS FELLOW
CAST MEMBERS, AND HE WAS
ALWAYS EAGER TO TELL THEM
ABOUT THE JOURNEY THAT
BROUGHT HIM FULL CIRCLE.
Reporter: EVERY BOY
WANTS HIS FATHER IN HIS
LIFE.
Reporter: CHRIS'
PARENTS DIVORCED WHEN HE WAS
FIVE.
HE MOVED WITH HIS MOTHER
FROM THEIR TEXAS HOME TO
INDIANA.
IT IS HARD TO GROW UP
WITHOUT BOTH PARENTS BEING
AROUND.
BOTH MY PARENTS GOT MARRIED
TO NEW PEOPLE.
Reporter: CHRIS' NEW
STEPMOTHER WAS ABUSIVE.
SO CHURCH WAS HIS REFUGE.
MY UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS
WAS WAY OFF GROWING UP.
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST OR
YOUR GOING TO GO BURN IN
HELL FOREVER.
Reporter: CHRIS FOUND A
POSITIVE OUTLOOK IN
ATHLETICS.
I TRIED TO KEEP MY NOSE
CLEAN SO I COULD EXCEL IN
SPORTS.
BUT ONCE HIGH SCHOOL WAS
OVER, I WENT TO COLLEGE AND
DIDN'T HAVE SPORTS ANYMORE.
Reporter: HE
IMMEDIATELY JOINED A
FRATERNITY AT INDIANA
UNIVERSITY.
IT STARTED OFF WITH ME
HAVING A FEW DRINKS.
AND THEN THE DRINKING
STARTED BECOMING HEAVILY.
AND THAT WASN'T MAKING ME
HAPPY ITEM, AND SO I STARTED
DOING ILLEGAL DRUGS,
PRESCRIPTION PILLS AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT ALL KIND OF MORVETION
INTMORPHS INTO THE NEXT
THING.
AND THEN I FOUND MYSELF IN
NUMEROUS RELATIONSHIPS,
SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING TO
FILL A HOLE IN MY LIFE.
Reporter: IN HIS JUNIOR
YEAR OF SCHOOL, CHRIS' AUNT
OFFERED HIM A JOB IN
CALIFORNIA AND A PLACE TO
LIVE.
TWO WEEKS LATER, CHRIS
DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL AND
HEADED WEST.
I FIGURED, MAYBE IF I GO
TO CALIFORNIA, I CAN GET
INTO ENTERTAINMENT.
MAYBE THAT WILL BE THE THING
THAT FILLS THAT VOID, THAT
HOLE IN MY LIFE.
Reporter: CHRIS
AUDITIONED AND WAS CAST IN
AN MTV REALITY SHOW.
A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE
PROGRAM WAS CANCELLED.
WHEN I GOT THAT CALL, IT
WAS -- IT DEFINITELY SHOOK
ME SOME MORE BECAUSE I WAS,
LIKE, MAN, I THOUGHT THIS
WAS GOING TO BE THE THING.
NOW WHAT?
NOW I'M AN COLLEGE DROPOUT,
AND THE SHOW DIDN'T GET
WORKED OUT, AND I HAVE
NOWHERE TO GO.
Reporter: CHRIS'
LONG-LOST DAD HEARD ABOUT
HIS SITUATION AND FOR THE
FIRST TIME REACHED OUT TO
HELP.
MY DAD CALLS ME AND SAYS,
I'VE GOT A JOB FOR YOU IN
NASHVILLE.
SO I PACKED UP MY JEEP AND
DROVE DOWN TO NASHVILLE, AND
MOVED IN WITH MY DAD FOR THE
FIRST TIME SINCE I WAS
FIVE.
Reporter: CHRIS WORKED
AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT WHERE
HE PARTIED WITH ALL OF THE
EMPLOYEES AFTER HOURS.
ALL ACCEPT ONE, A WOMAN
NAMED VERNA.
SHE JUST BEGAN A
FRIENDSHIP WITH ME, AND
WOULD ENCOURAGE ME, OKAY,
CHRIS, THERE IS SOMETHING
BETTER FOR YOU.
Reporter: VERNA INVITED
CHRIS TO CHURCH, AND
EVENTUALLY HE AGREED TO GO.
I SAT THERE AND LISTEN
THE, AND THE ROOM WAS FULL
OF COLLEGE STUDENTS, PEOPLE
20 SOMETHING, 19, 25.
IT WAS TOTALLY REAL.
THESE PEOPLE WEREN'T FAKING
IT.
THEY WEREN'T PUTTING ON A
SHOW.
THEY WERE PRAISING AND
SHOUTING TO GOD BECAUSE OF
HOW HE CHANGED THEIR LIVES.
AND SO THERE WAS DEFINITELY
A NATURAL DRAW.
THE I SAID, I WANT THIS.
I WANT THIS.
Reporter: SEVERAL WEEKS
LATER, CHRIS WENT BACK TO
CHURCH AFTER A WEEKEND OF
PARTYING.
I BEGAN TALKING TO GOD.
THE FIRST REAL CONVERSATION
I HAD HAD WITH HIM PROBABLY
IN MY WHOLE LIFE.
YOU'RE REAL.
AND, JESUS, I KNOW WHAT YOU
DID FOR ME.
I REALIZE IT NOW.
I'M SORRY AND WILL YOU
FORGIVE ME?
AND WHEN YOU BE MY LORD?
AND WILL YOU TAKE MY LIFE?
AND WILL YOU LEAD MY LIFE?
AND SO IT WAS THERE, ON A
CORNER IN DOWNTOWN
NASHVILLE, BY MYSELF -- IT
WASN'T IN FRONT OF SOME
CHURCH.
IT WASN'T, LIKE, WITH A
GROUP OF PEOPLE.
IT WAS JUST ME AND GOD.
AND WE BEGAN OUR
RELATIONSHIP THEN.
Reporter: CHRIS SAYS
GOD PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES
FOR HIM TO LIVE OUT HIS
DREAM.
MTV PRODUCERS RECAST HIM IN
THE NEW ROAD RULES SERIES.
AND YOU MAY RECOGNIZE CHRIS
FROM "BATTLE OF THE SEXES,"
TOO.
I GOT TO SHARE CHRIST IN
DIFFERENT WAYS WITH
DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
ALL OF MY CAST MEMBERS, AT
DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN I WAS
READING THE BIBLE, THEY
WOULD COME AND TALK TO ME.
THEY WOULD ASK ME
QUESTIONS.
Reporter: CHRIS MET HIS
FUTURE WIFE AT CHURCH.
I MET HIM THAT MONTH THAT
HE GOT SAVED.
I ONLY SAW THIS PASSIONATE,
ON-FIRE CHRIS.
I ONLY HEARD STORIES OF THE
PREVIOUS LIFE.
I THINK THAT MADE IT A WHOLE
LOT EASIER FOR ME TO GO,
OKAY, THIS IS WHO HE IS NOW,
AND GOD HAS FORGIVEN ALL OF
THAT.
GOD ORCHESTRATED OUR STORY.
NOT ONLY OUR LOVE STORY, BUT
OUR LIFE STORY.
Reporter: LESS THAN A
YEAR LATER, THE TWO WERE
MARRIED.
CHRIS NOW HAS THE CHANCE TO
BE THE FATHER HE ALWAYS
LONGED FOR.
HIS SON, CADEN IS TWO, AND
HIS SECOND CHILD IS ON THE
WAY.
HE IS NEW TO ME, AND MORE
AND MORE I'M UNDERSTANDING
THE GRACIOUS SIDE OF GOD AND
THE LOVE AND COMPASSION AND
MERCY HE HAS FOR ME, AND
LEARNING MORE AND MORE WHAT
IT MEANS TO TRUST HIM AS MY
PROVIDER.
AND TRUST HIM AS THE ONE WHO
IS GOING TO OPEN AND SHUT
THE DOORS.
HE'S MY DAD, YOU KNOW.
HE'S MY FATHER.
Gordon: AND HE'LL DO
THE SAME THING FOR YOU.
HE'LL BE YOUR DAD.
IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE WE
HAVE TO CALL OUR CREATOR
DADDY, OUR DADDY, WHO ART IN
HEAVEN.
THAT'S THE ORIGINAL GREETING
BEHIND THE LORD'S PRAYER,
OUR ABBA, OUR ABBA FATHER.
WE GET TO DO THAT.
IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE THAT
WE HAVE.
IT IS A GREAT JOURNEY.
IT'S AN ADVENTURE.
WHERE YOU START RELYING ON
HIM, AND YOU KNOW THAT HE'S
WATCHING OVER YOU.
AND HE HAS GOT PLANS FOR
YOU.
HE'S GOT DOORS HE WANTS TO
OPEN FOR YOU.
HE WANTS TO GIVE YOU
OPPORTUNITY.
HE CAME THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE
LIFE, AND HAVE IT MORE
ABUNDANTLY.
NOW, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO
GET IT?
ALL YOU'VE GOT TO DO IS JUST
ASK.
THE SAME THING THAT CHRIS
DID.
HE JUST BOWED HIS HEAD AND
SAID, FORGIVE ME, RESTORE
ME, COME INTO MY LIFE, BE
PART OF ME NOW.
I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.
I WANT TO LIVE FOR YOU.
AND WHEN YOU DO THAT, YOU
GET INTO A WONDERFUL
RELATIONSHIP THAT WE WERE
MADE FOR.
AND WHEN YOU START
UNDERSTANDING THAT, THAT WE
WERE MADE FOR A RELATIONSHIP
WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,
THEN LIFE STARTS TO GET REAL
SIMPLE, AND YOU START
UNDERSTANDING, ALL I HAVE TO
DO IS TRUST HIM.
IF HE TELLS ME TO DO
SOMETHING, THERE IS GOING TO
BE A BLESSING THERE.
AND SO I'M JUST GOING TO
TRUST HIM.
AND WHEN YOU DO THAT, AN
INCREDIBLE LIFE OPENS UP FOR
YOU.
ADVENTURES THAT YOU'D NEVER
DREAM YOU WOULD EVER DO.
HE'LL HAVE YOU DO.
HE'LL HAVE YOU GO PLACES.
HE'LL HAVE YOU MEET PLACES.
HE'LL OPEN DOORS OF
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU.
HE WANTS TO BLESS YOU.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK
HIM IN.
NOW, HERE IS THE PRAYER,
IT'S VERY SIMPLE: JESUS, IF
THIS IS REAL, IF YOU'RE
REALLY THERE, IF YOU REALLY
WANT TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP
WITH ME, IF YOU REALLY LOVE
ME, COULD YOU SHOW ME.
COULD YOU COME INTO MY
HEART.
COULD YOU MAKE ME NEW
AGAIN.
CAN I KNOW YOUR LOVE?
CAN I BE FORGIVEN?
AND IF YOU PRAYED THAT WITH
ALL OF YOUR HEART, HE'LL
ANSWER YOU.
AND HE'LL COME IN AND WHAT
HE DID FOR CHRIS, HE'LL DO
FOR YOU.
HE'LL TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND,
AND YOU'LL FIND WHAT YOU'VE
BEEN LOOKING FOR ALL THIS
TIME.
IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO HELP
YOU PRAY, ALL YOU'VE GOT TO
DO IS CALL US.
1-888-777-1999.
WHEN YOU CALL, JUST SAY I
WANT TO PRAY AND ASK JESUS
TO COME INTO MY HEART.
FOR EVERYBODY THAT CALLS,
WE'VE GOT A FREE PACKET FOR
YOU.
IT'S CALLED "A NEW DAY."
IN THERE IS A C.D. TEACHING,
ABOUT AN HOUR, 70 MINUTES
LONG.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
WHAT DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE?
HOW DO YOU LIVE THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE?
WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?
AND THERE IS ALSO A BOOKLET
WITH BIBLE VERSES IN IT.
WE ENCOURAGE TO GET INVOLVED
IN A LOCAL CHURCH, GET A
BIBLE AND START READING IT.
START RENEWING YOUR MIND
THROUGH SCRIPTURE.
THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT.
YOU READ THE BIBLE EVERY DAY
AND PRAY AND ASK JESUS TO
TALK TO YOU AND TO BE WITH
YOU.
IF YOU DO THAT, HE'LL DO
IT.
BUT MAKE THAT PHONE CALL.
WE WANT TO GET THIS PACKET
TO YOU FREE.
THE PACKET IS FREE, THE
PHONE CALL IS FREE -- IT'S
ALL FREE.
JUST GIVE US A CALL.
1-888-777-1999.
WELL, WE'VE GOT SOME CHATS.
LET'S GO OVER TO DIMITRI IN
THE CHATROOM.
STEPHANIE SAYS, "I HAVE
BEEN CHECKING OUT NEW
CHURCHES, AND ONE WAS SO
PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN, AND THE
OTHER WAS SO OLD-FASHIONED.
WHY SHOULD I BOTHER WHEN IT
SEEMS LIKE NO ONE KNOWS HOW
TO BE NORMAL?"
Gordon: OH, THERE ARE
PLENTY OF THEM THAT KNOW HOW
TO BE NORMAL.
THERE ARE EXTREMES.
AND SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY
LIKE THE OLD-FASHIONED
CHURCH.
THEY REALLY APPRECIATE THAT
KIND OF FELLOWSHIP.
SOME LIKE THIS SUPER
PERFORMANCE CHURCH.
SO YOU'LL FIND ONE THAT YOU
LIKE.
BUT I'LL GIVE YOU A BIT OF
ADVICE: STOP LOOKING FOR THE
PERFECT ONE BECAUSE AS SOON
AS YOU JOIN IT, IT WON'T BE
PERFECT ANYMORE.
THERE ARE NO PERFECT
CHURCHES, BUT THERE ARE
WONDERFUL CHURCHES AND
WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE
FOR THIS PROGRAM.
WE LEAVE YOU WITH THESE
WORDS FROM JOHN 3: "FOR GOD
SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE
GAVE HIS ONLY SON SO THAT
EVERYONE -- THAT'S YOU --
EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM
WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE
ETERNAL LIFE."
THAT'S THE HOPE OF OUR
CALLING, THE HOPE OF OUR
SALVATION.
GOD BLESS YOU.
WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN.
