Pastor Evangelizes Among Nude Women and Critical Atheists on 'Utopia' Reality Series
Jonathan Lovelace, the pastor on Fox's "Utopia," explained how he managed to bring the Gospel to the reality series in an interview with The Christian Post this week.
The Church Hill, Tennessee native left his church and family to join a group of "pioneers" on "Utopia," which follows them as they attempt to work together to build a perfect society from scratch. As the only Christian on the television series, Lovelace encountered challenging and surprising situations. Nevertheless, the pastor revealed that the "amazing" experience left him with an even stronger faith in God.
"In the beginning there were several atheists on the show, Buddhists, and others that didn't believe in anything. They thought Christians were all the same, and early on they were apprehensive of me, but I never- and it took help from Lord, but I never condemned any of the things they were doing," he told CP.
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"The very first night was the worst night- all the ladies took their clothes off and were drinking alcohol, and the language was horrible, there was fighting … I was off by myself praying 'Lord what did I get myself into?' It was just terrible," Lovelace continued. "But as the days went by, I was amazed by the favor God gave me with those other contestants. Even the atheists and non-believers just grew a great respect and love for me, about everyone cried when I walked out of there."
While most reality stars seek fame and fortune, Lovelace explained that he had joined "Utopia" in order to evangelize not only to his fellow pioneers, but to the millions of people who watch the show, which premiered earlier this month.
"I didn't come there looking for Utopia. I left Utopia in Church Hill, Tennessee because I had God at the center of my life," the pastor explained. "God blessed me with two beautiful children, a wonderful wife and a beautiful community and church. I told the other pioneers I didn't come here looking for Utopia, I came here to show you how I got mine back home."
Lovelace also revealed his use of Scripture on "Utopia," including Matthew 6:33.
"I just shared the Scripture that says: Seek you first, the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you," he said to CP. "I told them how to get into the Kingdom of God. That was my parting message, and that would be my message to anybody today that's looking for true happiness is seek you first the kingdom of god."
Explaining that he got involved with "Utopia" through "a God thing," the pastor went on to admit that his congregants at The Promise Apostolic Church were initially apprehensive of the opportunity in Hollywood. However, since the heartbeat of his church is outreach, Lovelace knew joining "Utopia" would be worthwhile.
"Some churches just have a ministry of maintenance, they just maintain, but we are proactive in soul-winning and reaching the community," Lovelace told CP. "So the church knew that was my mindset going there. I wasn't going to get paid and be on TV, I was going there for God. I knew doing so would reach the other candidates and pioneers, and two of them gave their hearts to the Lord- we baptized them right on the show. Also, I knew it was reaching beyond the pioneers on the show and reaching millions of viewers."
Although Lovelace was forced to leave "Utopia" early after breaking him thumb and requiring surgery, the pastor is already seeing the difference the series has made at his church, which continues to grow rapidly.
"Our service on Sunday was standing room only," he said. "We were in a building project before 'Utopia,' but after this experience, we are completely out of room. We need our new sanctuary as soon as possible. We are excited about all that God is doing."
Catch up with the first season of Fox's "Utopia" on Utopiatv.com.
