Oxygen Media goes behind the pulpit in an authentic new docu-series, Preachers of L.A. premiering tonight, October 9 at 10 PM ET/PT. From Lemuel Plummer, the executive producer of "Vindicated" and producer of "The Sheards," and Holly Carter, executive producer of "106 & Gospel" and executive producer of "The Sheards," comes a series that gives viewers a candid and Revealing look at six boldly different, world-renowned mega-pastors in Southern California - Bishop Noel Jones, Minister Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Jay Haizlip, Pastor Wayne Chaney and Bishop Ron Gibson.
These men of God will share diverse aspects of their dynamic lives, from their work in the community and with their parishioners to the very large and captivating lives they lead away from the pulpit. While "Preachers of L.A." documents these pastors' lifestyles, the series also focuses on the daily struggles and triumphs they face as men, husbands, fathers, brothers and friends. Viewers will also get to know the strong women who stand behind these church leaders, and often work just as hard to balance their lives in the spotlight with their commitment to family.
"As pastors' kids ourselves who have spent most of our lives in and around the faith community, we recognize and appreciate the unique role that pastors play in the lives of their congregations, as well as the pressures that are regularly placed on them and their families," said executive producers Lemuel Plummer and Holly Carter. "We think the fascinating personal stories of these powerful, dynamic and very public men of God are truly compelling and deserve to be told, and are very pleased to be working with
Oxygen to do so."
Oxygen and the "Preachers of L.A.," in conjunction with 360i, the network's social agency of record, are bringing church to Twitter on Tuesday, September 3. The preachers will deliver a digital sermon, sharing anecdotes, quotables, advice, and scripture with fans of the show. The Twitter Sermon will focus on the preachers' religious and personal lives. Fans can follow @PreachersofLA for more info on the Twitter Sermon.
Beginning on Tuesday, September 10, fans of the series can access exclusive content available on Video On Demand including bonus footage and interviews with the cast. Viewers can watch the premiere episode in advance starting on Wednesday, October 2 across multiple platforms including Oxygen.com, Mobile,
Hulu and VOD, where fans will also be able to catch up on new episodes the day after they premiere.
For more "Preachers of L.A." content, fans can visit the official show site to see exclusive video, behind-the-scenes photos, news, interviews and bios. Fans will also get a taste of the God life when sermons from the cast begin rolling out on the site August 23. While each episode premieres, viewers can see and interact with real-time content synched to the show, including chats, photos, bonus videos, GIFs and more. In addition, fans can check out the official Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PreachersofLA.
Meet the Cast:
Bishop Noel Jones (@BishopNoelJones) A Jamaican born into poverty, Bishop Noel Jones has made his way to the other extreme, now living on a hilltop with a view of the Pacific Ocean, Malibu at his feet, and across the street from the former home of the late L.A. Lakers owner, Jerry Buss. The pastor of a church frequented by celebrities and the brother of Grace Jones, Bishop Jones is a prolific Pastor who leads a congregation of 15, 000 members. A notable leader in the faith community, Jones spends his time traveling the world spreading the gospel. His busy schedule has made it difficult to maintain a relationship but he still hopes to find the find a balance and someone to share his life with.
Minister Deitrick Haddon (@DeitrickHaddon) The son of a bishop and an evangelist, Deitrick was preaching at the age of eleven and conducting the church choir at thirteen. At twenty-three he married the woman he was expected to marry - the lead soprano of the church choir. However, everything didn't continue as perfectly as the church had hoped. After going through a divorce, moving to California, and having a child out of wedlock, he hit rock bottom. But because of the call on his life and his love for music, he's picking himself back up, rebuilding his faith, and restoring his family, with now wife, Dominique and beautiful daughter, Destin.
Bishop Clarence McClendon (@BishopMcClendon) Bishop Clarence McClendon appears throughout the world on his weekly international broadcast, which is available in 250 million homes worldwide. This charismatic and ubiquitous bishop has been noted for his contemporary and relevant approach to the Gospel. He believes the Gospel is not only for the down and out but for the up and out. His ministry spans from skid row to the estates of Bel Air. In addition to his dedication to his church family and his community, McClendon is a proud husband and father who hopes to see his sons go in to the "family" business. Bishop McClendon's goal and calling as a Pastor is to grow his ministry globally and reach as many people as he can, and he's looking to expand his ministry in creative ways.
Pastor Jay Haizlip (@jayhaizlip) One of the pioneering greats of competitive skateboarding, Pastor Jay Haizlip, originally from Gadsden, Alabama, collected big trophies, bigger paychecks and high-end sponsors, but fell deep into drugs, and into the crack houses of Huntington Beach and Long Beach, California. Back in the crack houses again, this time he's not there for drugs - he's helping rescue souls for the Kingdom. Serving as Senior Pastor of The Sanctuary of Huntington Beach, Pastor Jay Haizlip reaches out to troubled youth, finding them in prisons, skate parks and the same crack houses he once shot dope in. Although he's known in the Christian world for his street ministries, Pastor Jay recently found the most challenging souls may be within the walls of his own church. He and his wife, Christy struggle to balance the traditions of their faith with what they feel God has called them to do; minister to everyone, and never judge a book by its cover.
Pastor Wayne Chaney (@WayneChaneyJr) At the age of twenty he got the call from God and has grown to become a prominent pastor of the church his grandfather built. Fast-forward 10 years later, Antioch Church of Long Beach is the leading church in its community. With an ability to communicate complex truths in a simple way, Pastor Chaney has helped remarkably grow the church, along with the help of his secret weapon, his wife, gospel artist Myesha Chaney. While Antioch is poised to become the next mega-church with the ability to reach millions worldwide, there's an obstacle in the way and it comes from within Pastor Wayne's own family. Chaney wants nothing more than to do right by his ministry and his family, but he struggles to find a balance between the two.
Bishop Ron Gibson (@RonMGibson1) Born and raised in South Central L.A. and Compton, to many, Bishop Ron M. Gibson seemed to be the least likely to end up a preacher. Although he was raised by a Christian mother in the Church, Ron succumbed to the pressure of the streets and became a Compton Crip by the age of sixteen. This led to a life of crime and drug addiction, until Christ changed his life. He started Life Church Of God In Christ with nine members, which has now grown to a congregation of approximately 4,000 members. Through it all he's accumulated much, but the one thing that he and his wife have not experienced is the joy of having children. Bishop Gibson finds fulfillment by passionately leading people into the same deliverance that he experienced through the Gospel - whether they were in gangs, drug addiction, or simply living empty lives. Within his congregation his motivating sermons keep many on track, but he and his devoted wife LaVette find the most difficult people to reach may be those closest to them.
About L. Plummer Media
Created in 2011, L. Plummer Media is based in Los Angeles and is a full service production company, guided by a mission to generate programming that reflects the diversity, breadth, and richness of American culture and experience. In adhering to this philosophy, L. Plummer Media has produced or is producing shows for several networks including
BET and Oxygen. Among these shows are the series, "Vindicated," "Preachers of L.A." and "Hip Hop Sisters." In addition, L. Plummer Media is busily developing a full slate of shows it hopes will not only entertain a wide broadcast audience, but uplift it as well.
About
Oxygen Media
Oxygen Media is a multiplatform entertainment brand that delivers relevant and engaging content to young women who like to "live out loud."
Oxygen is rewriting the rulebook for women's media by changing how the world sees entertainment from a young woman's point of view. Through a vast array of unconventional and original content, including "The Face," "Best Ink," "I'm Having Their Baby" and "Bad Girls Club," the growing cable network is the premier destination to find unique and groundbreaking unscripted programming. A social media trendsetter,
Oxygen is a leading force in engaging modern young women, wherever they are, with popular, award winning features online including www.OxygenLive.com, the real time social viewing party that is also available as an app for the iPhone and iPad.
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Oxygen Media is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal.
