INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

‘Preachers Of Atlanta’: ATL Gets ‘Oxygen’ Show [Video]

By Paula Mooney
Published on: 11:37 PST, Jan 6, 2016

When it comes to preachers on television, it can be a powerful or pitiful experience. For example, Rev. Al Sharpton experienced controversy when, as reported by the Inquisitr, the preacher was yelled at by another preacher while he was preaching in Hartford, Connecticut. Sharpton was called a pimp. But Sharpton’s not one of the people being added to the newest of the popular Oxygen Preachers of… series called Preachers of Atlanta. Nor are other popular Atlanta-area preachers who’ve been dogged by controversy scheduled to appear on Preachers of Atlanta, at least as witnessed in the promo of Preachers of Atlanta.

As reported by ET, the newest Preachers of Atlanta series will also bring together five different pastors that are located in the same area — this time around Atlanta — and let the preach-offs begin. Like their Preachers of L.A. series, Oxygen likely hopes that the large interest in all things Christian will bring them great ratings.

While the displays of excesses that some viewers felt were over the top for the Preachers of L.A. brought criticism, ET explains that the Preachers of Atlanta cast should bring a new breed of pastors dealing with real-life stuff of congregations. This is according to Rod Aissa, the Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development at Oxygen Media.

“Preachers of Atlanta features a young, vibrant group of pastors who are pushing the envelope and tackling real-world issues in their communities, creating thought-provoking dialogue. The series showcases a new generation of preachers who, through their nontraditional approaches, are unapologetic in their ministry and unafraid to break down boundaries in an effort to drive positive change.”

As seen in the above clip, the Preachers of Atlanta pastors are unconventional, as one speaks of hating religious posturing.

One of the biggest storylines of the Preachers of L.A. series, as reported by ET, involved Bishop Noel Jones and his longtime girlfriend and whether or not he would marry the long-suffering love.

In Preachers of Atlanta, viewers are introduced to pastors they may already be familiar with from Christian circles. There’s Pastor Corey Hambrick of The Life Church Christian Center, who pulls double duty as a cop.

The name Pastor Le’Andria Johnson might sound familiar to folks who remember Johnson getting criticized by church folk for having a baby out of wedlock, as reported by the Christian Post. Those who are fans of Johnson’s ministry and Jesus’ edict to only throw stones if they’re without sin will likely be glad to see Le’Andria’s new “come up” on the show.

Fans of the music of Pastor Canton Jones can see “a window over your head,” as the Free Life Church pastor sings in his infectious hit.

Then there’s Pastor Kimberly Jones-Pothier of the Church of Harvest, who believes in “Conquering Hell in High Heels,” as her movement is dubbed.

Pastor Judah Swilley of The Movement, a man who has just launched his new church, rounds out the cast of the reality show.

“Preachers of Atlanta premieres Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 10 p.m. ET on Oxygen.”

One prominent Atlanta preacher who likely won’t be seen getting any screen time on the Preachers of Atlanta reality show is the beleaguered Bishop Eddie Long, who, dogged by scandal, planned to stop preaching, as reported by the New York Times.

The once very popular pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Eddie Long found himself trying to defend himself from lawsuits and other allegations of sexual wrongdoings with male teenagers in his church.

Another Atlanta-area pastor who may or may not make an appearance on Preachers of Atlanta is Creflo Dollar, who ran into quite a bit of controversy when a video showing Dollar asking for a $65 million Gulfstream jet went viral.

(Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

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