While Preachers of Detroit may focus on the lives of seven Motor City religious leaders, it’s the resurgent and resilient city that will take center stage when the new reality show premieres tomorrow.
The Oxygen network show, which will feature five men and two women of the cloth, follows two seasons of Preachers of L.A., which drew some criticism from other pastors who disagreed with the preachers turning to reality TV.
But this season aims to be different than its L.A. version because it will largely spotlight the efforts to keep faith alive in a city that has faced numerous hardships.
Detroit is rebounding from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, running a campaign to rid the city of blighted eyesores and continuing to battle crime.
Bishop Clarence Langston, 45, one of the cast members, said Detroit is more than just the backdrop for the show. The city plays the role of another character.
“I’ve seen the darker side of Detroit, I’ve seen the gray area of Detroit, I’ve seen the light of Detroit, and I’ve seen the turnaround and the change,” said Langston, founder and senior pastor of Word in Action Christian Center. “I’m just so excited because the cameras will show that. Detroit really plays a huge role in the Preachers of Detroit.”
Langston said he also hopes the show will improve the reputation of Motown.
“That’s my prayer is that it changes the whole misconception of Detroit,” he said. “They’ll see our faith. They’ll see us with family.”
Langston’s confidence in Detroit’s rebirth has led him to refer to the city as “miracle city” and “comeback city.”
And if anyone knows about comebacks, it’s Langston.
As a teenager in Detroit, Langston hung out in the streets, sold drugs and feared for his life, he told theGrio.com.
“It got to the point where I was ready to end my life,” said Langston, recalling his suicide attempt at 19 years old. “So one day I just took my own gun, put it to my head and fell to my knees and was crying out to God.”
Langston said he pulled the trigger twice, but the gun didn’t go off.
Soon after, Langston would turn his life over to God.
“That’s why I love God the way that I do,” he said. “That’s why I can tell anybody, ‘No matter what you’re going through, God can turn it around. No matter what you feel like. Trust in God. He’ll fix it and make everything alright.’ I believe that. I’ve lived that. That’s my testimony.”
Now, Langston, whose journey from bishop-elect to bishop will be featured in the show, is focused on building his congregation and a new church complex on Detroit’s west side.
Other Motor City ministers sharing their stories on the show are Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, Pastor Tim Alden, Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Pastor David Bullock, Pastor Don William Shelby Jr. and Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole.
Tune in to Preachers of Detroit on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Oxygen.
Michael J. Feeney is an award-winning journalist and public speaker. Follow him on Twitter @mfeeney.