We’ve been hearing of many of the church members’ dissatisfaction with the term “Idol” in Adventist Idol, and I’d like to address everyone who’s received an invitation to our event.

As many of you know, American Idol is a once-a-year talent show that looks for young singers all over the country with the hope and the promise that if they sing well enough, look good enough, and make themselves likeable enough, then America will love them. By winning the competition, they have the chance to become rich and famous beyond their wildest dreams as they enter the realm of being a celebrity.

This competition is incredibly popular and has sustained record breaking ratings for years. Part of the allure of American Idol, is that regular people, you or I, could achieve the dream that many young people share.

The show can be thoroughly entertaining…but what does it really teach our young people? That their value lies within themselves as they are? Or that they are not good enough because they aren’t skinny enough, or talented enough, or charismatic enough? Is that what it takes to be loved and admired? What is the image that we must conform to be successful? More importantly, why should we seek the praise of a nation for ourselves to begin with? Why do we believe that we are worthy of praise?

To counter these values, we present our alternative. Yes, it is called Adventist Idol, not because we are looking to conform to the show, but because we want to contrast the values of CHRIST with the values of this world. Our show will not praise the contestants, instead, our contestants will PRAISE GOD, for HE is the only One worthy of praise. We will not be texting our vote for a winner, we will be texting our PRAYERS to be supplicated to Him as we petition our Lord for the faith that we need. And all of our contestants are CHILDREN OF THE KING, they are valuable enough for Christ to have DIED for them and they have our support, not our ridicule and neglect.

And in doing so, we ask for your support. Support our ministry that shows the loving character of Christ compared to the plastic-wrapped callosness of popular culture. Please understand that we do not mean to offend anyone and please pray for us, our young people, our ministry, and our church.

God be with you,

- Lowell