Jesus More Viral Than 'Duck Dynasty,' Preaches Robertson Clan at 'Duck Commander Sunday'
The bearded minstrels on 'Duck Dynasty' transition from duck calls to altar calls, continuing a yearly tradition of preaching at White's Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, La.
Across the world, "people are entertained by a bunch of guys in beards and makin' duck calls and makin' jokes," Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander, said from the pulpit. "It's the same way with our Lord – all the countries translate Jesus."
Last month, the backwoods reality series became the most watched reality TV show ever, when a staggering 11.8 million viewers tuned in to the fourth season premiere. The show focuses on the strongly Christian Robertson family, which runs a duck call business in Louisiana, Duck Commander.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
But even the worldwide hit TV show can't compete with the message of Christ. Willie joked about translators struggling to render Uncle Si's jokes into a foreign language. But "people get Jesus no matter where you're at, no matter where you're from," the CEO said.
Jase Robertson, Willie's brother, added his own mini-sermon on his hope for heaven. "We gather up as a forever family, and I plan on doin' this forever – as we celebrate Jesus Christ as Lord, and we declare that we've surrendered."
Jase's wife Missy said it was her husband's faith that originally attracted her to him. "What attracted us to each other was what we saw in each other in our faith," she said in an August interview. The couple shared their history of abstinence – waiting for sex until marriage – because they decided "to do it God's way," and "help each other get to heaven."
The self-proclaimed "redneck" millionaire was also recently kicked out of a New York City hotel because he was mistaken as a homeless person. "I think it was a facial profiling deal," he joked on ABC's talk show "Live with Kelly and Michael."
Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the "Duck Dynasty" clan, called on Americans to repent and amend their ways. In his 20s, Phil kicked his family out of the house and lived a "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll" lifestyle. Referring to his later conversion he said, "I'm not the only one that needed to repent – the whole lot of you needs to repent, and all the rest of America, right?"
With the fire of a Southern Baptist, Phil turned his discussion to America's corporate life of faith. "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?"
He mockingly quoted the proud Americans who trust in the United States over God – "Oh, we'll always be here, we'll always have our freedom, we're America, the greatest country on earth!"
Then Phil took a calmer, more reconciling tone. "God loves you. Come on, you know we would all be better off in America if all of us loved God and loved each other, right?"
In the last few months, the Robertsons have preached in many churches across the country, including Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California.
In addition to the sermons featuring Willie, Jase, and Phil, the Robertson daughter-in-law Missy and grandson Cole led the congregation in worship. "Our attendance doubled on Sunday and I can't tell you how many visitors told me that there is just something about White's Ferry Road Church that feels like you just came home," Ryan Howard, Willie's brother-in-law, told the Blaze.
