BEGINNING THURSDAY JUNE 26, at 8PM (ET/PT)
Santa Monica, CA– GSN today announced the semifinalists for season three of its Emmy®-nominated original series THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE.
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy hosts this one-hour game show in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Grammy®-winning musician and producer Kirk Franklin, also serves as musical co-host. The semifinal rounds of the series, produced by Relativity Television, begin Thursday, June 26 at 8 pm ET/PT on GSN.
Season three of the popular game show, which premiered May 22, featured 18 three-person teams-three teams in each of the first six episodes of the season. The winning teams from each of those six episodes received $20,000 for their charity and advance to play in the semifinals, beginning this Thursday, where they can earn an additional $20,000. During the final round, airing Thursday, July 17, one team will be named champions and will receive a $100,000 grand prize for the charity of their choice. The semifinalists are:
TEAM BIBLE BELTS
Hometown: Otway, OH
Charity: Kicks For Jesus, which offers free martial arts instruction
Team Members: Jonathan King, Matt Phipps and Brad Harris. Matt hit rock bottom (drugs, alcohol, neglecting his family) when a preacher on TV saved him from taking his life. He and his son took Tae Kwon Do lessons at Kicks for Jesus, and now Matt is an instructor. Jonathan and Matt are both blackbelts. Kicks for Jesus offers free martial arts instruction combined with Biblical teachings to encourage spiritual, physical and emotional growth.
TEAM DEVOTED DIVAS
Hometown: Akron, OH
Charity: Unity in the Community, which provides education, community enhancement and public services
Team Members: Patrice Smith, Gloria Williams and Randi Bibbs. These three sassy friends are survivors of horrible abuse, drug use, street crime and broken homes. Patrice was inspired to create Unity in the Community when her brother was murdered during an armed robbery. Not only was this charity founded to break the cycle and show kids violence is not the answer, but it also distributes backpacks and school supplies to needy children.
TEAM HEARTLAND GUARDS
Hometown: Buda, IL
Charity: Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in the United States and its territories.
Team Members: Dane Barnett, Ryan Beach and Quinn Brandt. These are your typical college guys…if your college is a Christian University in the middle of a corn field. After Dane, who was born with a heart condition and survived six surgeries, had the opportunity to go on a Make-A-Wish trip to London he wanted to make sure other kids are able to have the experience of a lifetime.
TEAM CHEFS TO THE RESCUE
Hometown: Portsmouth, VA
Charity: Mercy Chefs, exists to serve professionally prepared, high-quality meals to the victims of local, state and national emergencies
Team Members: Walter Taylor, Gary LeBlanc and Peggy Williford. Gary found it in his heart to cook for the devastated people that were part of his community in his hometown of New Orleans. Inspired by that experience, Gary initiated Mercy Chefs
TEAM RHYMZ WITH GRACE
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Charity: Home of Grace helps victims of abuse
Team Members: Seth Brasher, Harrison Hughes and Kory Van Matre. These three gentlemen are internet famous for making hilarious Christian parodies of popular rap songs. Seth/s experience with being molested and abused as a child makes raising money for this charity all that more important to him. Home of Grace is dedicated to restoring women and families who are victims of abuse.
TEAM KORI’S CRUSADERS
Hometown: Muncie, IN
Charity: The Irok Foundation assists families with day-to-day expenses that are not covered under insurance.
Team Members: Andre Mitchell, Heather Morgan and Andrew Draper. Heather’s 16-Year-Old daughter Kori founded the non-profit due to her experience battling a rare blood disease that caused her to have 29 surgeries. Kori wanted to help kids that struggle with life threatening illnesses by starting this foundation, which helps families survive daily issues in extreme circumstances.
