First, it was the tee-shirt plastered with the huge CK emblem across the chest for Christ the King, then it was MyPraise in lieu of MySpace, now we have another Splenda packet of Christian fun – this time brought to us courtesy of the network known for delivering our daily fixes of “let-it-all-hang-out” video vixens draping the arms of tattoo-clad rap stars. Yes, folks. That’s Black Entertainment Television.

BET's hit music countdown show 106 & PARK tries its hand at a faith-filled new weekly spin-off, 106 & PARK PRESENTS: GENERATION GOSPEL. Hosted by Angel Taylor from the Stellar Award-winning gospel group Tri-ni-tee 5:7 and Jorel Quinn from the hip hop gospel group 21:03, GENERATION GOSPEL will feature much of the same elements that has made the original show a mainstay in hip hop culture. GENERATION GOSPEL boasts an energetic, live studio audience, the hottest music videos in Christendom, celebrity guests, and interactive choir battles.

“[Youth] live in virtual reality and we haven’t done enough to capitalize on this in the faith community,”  said Tamara Henry, youth director of Lenox Road Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. “They spend so much time in it that we have no choice but to incorporate media and technology into ministry.”

Since its kick off in January, 106 & PARK PRESENTS: GENERATION GOSPEL has been offering a vibrant youth audience a reason to tune in on at Sundays at noon. Driven by live performances by Pastor Marvin Sapp, Damita Haddon, Canton Jones and Ambassador, the show is utilizing well-known stars from the Gospel music community to mobilize this young demographic.  

GENERATION GOSPEL has also added to the 106 & PARK brand by offering weekly news features, lifestyle and underground segments from across the country led by show correspondents like Tye Tribbett, Kiki Sheard, and SUNDAY BEST finalist Jermaine Sellers.

While many have spurned the all too common attempts by institutions to provide the cleaner, Christian alternatives to iconic pop culture fixtures, there is a more optimistic school of thought about the “swap and glow” methods of  making  O.P.P., uh… G.O.D.

“The truth is this is the monkey see-monkey do generation. Most kids are followers and if they see us going hard for Jesus on 106 & Park, then they’re gonna  want to do the same,” said Jamel Dollaway, 19, who was among a youth group that was turned away from the live taping because of a high unexpected turnout at the CBS/BET studios.

While BET producers heavily sought out the church youth group community to comprise its studio audience, they have actually received more support from the general youth population who are familiar with the original 106 & Park brand and not the gospel version.

To wit, as a means of spreading the message of Christ to unchurched youth, many youth ministers such as Henry are trudging right alongside the TV networks and currently using mass media to engage a generation that would rather watch Flavor of Love while chatting on Facebook than sit through a sermonette.

“We’re even discussing creating a Baldwin Hills-like show based on youth from our church,” she said, while pausing to check out a billboard of another hit reality show on BET. “We’re gonna show the world we’re young, we’re cool , but we love Jesus.”