Preachers of L.A. is Must See TV….Or Is It?
October 8, 2013
By Hasan James
Money, Cars, Mansions and lavish lifestyles is usually something associated with rappers, actors and Wall Street business tycoons, however when “Men of the Cloth” adapt that same lifestyle, they come under extreme scrutiny by not only the people of the world, but fellow Christians alike. In comes the Preachers of L.A., which consists of Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Jay Haizlip, Pastor Wayne Chaney and Bishop Ron Gibson. These six men are all very different but have one common goal- to spread the word of Jesus Christ. There is however one problem- the effort to spread that word may be overshadowed by the lavish lifestyles that they lead. Don’t get me wrong, the Oxygen network put together a well produced show, but let’s face it, when it comes to reality television, drama, money, sex and perception sells, and what some people may perceive is that these pastors are nothing but money hungry men living the high life off of their congregants hard earned money. However, that perception could not be further from the truth.
Root & Bishop Ron Gibson from Preachers of L.A.
As seen in Episode 1 of the docu-series, you see the transparency in these men, in addition to the good, the bad and the ugly, that ultimately made the pastors the men that they are today. Bishop Ron Gibson is a former Crip gang member and hardcore drug addict who ultimately gave his life to Christ and is now on a mission to get every Crip to give his life over to Christ. Pastor Jay Haizlip is also a former drug addict who does not mind praying for random people in the street if it is going to lead them to Christ. Bishop Noel Jones is one of the world’s most renowned preachers and has been linked to actress Lisa Raye and X-Factor contestant, Stacey Francis, and has women coming at him left and right, Bishop Clarence McClendon had a highly publicized divorce ten years ago when parted ways from his wife of 16 years, only to re-marry one week after his divorce was final and Deitrick Haddon is a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter and former pastor who recently got a divorce from singer Damita Haddon and had a baby out of wedlock with a young lady by the name of Dominique. Pastor Wayne Chaney is madly in love with his wife and has no problem with P.D.A., something that “The Church” is not used to. These are the lives of everyday, average people who happen to be called to minister the gospel. “We are men of God but we are men first,” said Bishop Noel Jones during a reception for the premier of the show at Red Rooster in New York City.
From Left to Right: Jay Haizlip, Clarence McClendon, Noel Jones, Deitrick Haddon & Wayne Chaney
Overall, I think that the Preachers of L.A. is an enlightening show and will definitely be a conversation piece at copy machines and water coolers across America. On the other hand, will big bucks and the bling overshadow the real message that Preachers of L.A. hope to convey? Let’s hope not.
