On the one year anniversary of the launch of Facebook Live, the National Bible Bee Game Show, hosted by Kirk Cameron, premiered April 4th on Facebook Live sponsored by Museum of The Bible. This last week, more than 2.8 million people were reached and over 1 million people tuned in to view the historic premiere of the National Bible Bee Game Show.
According to Facebook, there are more than 1.9 billion people active every month on the Facebook platform. This was the first ever television series to broadcast on Facebook Live. Bobby Downes, CEO of ChristianCinema.com, says “Facebook Live is the future of television. It allows us to choose our audience, pick the airtime and, most importantly, engage with the viewers as they watch this incredibly inspiring competition.” Downes added, “Over the span of this show we anticipate 30 million people will tune in and for those who miss an episode, a season pass or individual episode can be purchased on-demand at ChristianCinema.com.”
“More powerful than any book on Harry Potter’s shelf, the Holy Bible has transformed people and nations for thousands of years,” says Kirk Cameron. “I was thrilled to host the National Bible Bee Game Show to bring more attention to these incredible young people who have devoted so much time to scripture memorization and proclamation. My hope is that the National Bible Bee Game Show not only inspires young people all over the world to read and memorize God’s Word, but that they see it gives life, it heals, and transforms people wherever it goes.”
“Since the National Bible Bee started in 2009, I’ve been a fan and supporter,” Cameron, father of six and a well known actor/producer/speaker, said of the high-energy reality game show style contest. “The National Bible Bee Game Show stirs up fun, excitement and a lot of ‘intended consequences’ in homes worldwide.”
The game show features seventy-two young people ranging from 7 to 18 years of age who memorize up to 850 bible verses in 90 days and compete for $270,000 in prize money.
The seventy-two National Bible Bee Game Show contestants are chosen from the annual National Bible Bee grouped as Primary (ages 7-10), Junior (ages 11-14) and Seniors (ages 15-18). From each age division the top 3 percent of contestants compete in the bracket-style Scripture-knowledge tourney.
Real estate entrepreneurs, authors and speakers, Jason and David Benham are no strangers to television. Their show on HGTV was cancelled due to the stand they took for their faith. “Watching these young people stand and recite Scripture from memory is incredible,” says David Benham. Jason quickly added, “And to do it with that level of boldness and confidence is truly inspiring.”
“There is something special that happens when young people commit the Bible to memory,” says Steve Green, Chairman of Museum of the Bible, which opens in November in Washington, D.C. “These kids are having fun and we are excited to be a part of its ground-breaking premiere on Facebook Live.”
Produced by Enthuse Entertainment, the National Bible Bee Game Show has reached 80 million homes in the previous season on three TV networks and was broadcast globally on NRB Network, CTN and UPLIFT TV. But for this season’s 30 one-hour episodes, the show is being broadcast on Facebook Live every Tuesday night at 8pm Eastern.
Emeal Zwayne, the national spokesperson for the National Bible Bee, says, “The National Bible Bee Game Show flips challenge into opportunity as whole families get into God’s Word to compete together or to cheer on contestants from home.”
Since the National Bible Bee’s first contest in 2009, more than 40,000 young people have participated. Competition begins locally and online where the top 360 local participants advance to the National Bible Bee Competition. National Bible Bee Game Show previous winner, Hannah Leary, says the game is far more than rote memory. “It’s not just memorizing Scripture,” Leary explained. “It’s studying Scripture and being able to dive in deep and understand what God has to say in His Word. Our hope is that young people will be inspired to sign up for the National Bible Bee Summer Study.”
Leary, of Buffalo, N.Y., joins this season’s panel of co-hosts for the National Bible Bee Game Show: Co-hosts also include Emeal Zwayne, president of Living Waters Publications, and identical twins Jason and David Benham, former professional baseball players, best-selling authors and serial entrepreneurs.
The National Bible Bee Game Show can be found on Facebook Live at ChristianCinema.tv every Tuesday night at 8pm Eastern and on ChristianCinema.com’s Digital HD platform for purchase.
ABOUT NATIONAL BIBLE BEE
For the past 8 year the National Bible Bee’s (BibleBee.org) mission has been to engage young people in the memorization and study of God’s Word and provide opportunities to proclaim it through local, national and broadcast competitions.
ABOUT MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE
Museum of the Bible (museumoftheBible.org) is an innovative, global, educational institution whose purpose is to invite all people to engage with the Bible. In 2017, Museum of the Bible, which aims to be the most technologically advanced museum in the world, will open its 430,000-square-foot nonprofit museum just three blocks from the Capitol in Washington, D.C. A digital fly-through and a 360-degree hardhat tour of the museum are available here.
ABOUT CHRISTIAN CINEMA
In 1999, ChristianCinema.com was born out of a desire to connect audiences with the best in faith-based movies. The market leader in faith-based digital on-demand, Christian Cinema has earned the trust of families of faith. The service provides easy access to a personal movie library across multiple devices, enabling users to watch anytime, anywhere and with no subscriptions and no commitments. New films added every week, there are new releases and new discoveries; dramas, documentaries, short films, educational and more. Chosen from the leading Christian filmmakers, this destination is a rarity in the world of cinema.
For interviews, contact: Genee Maxfeldt genee.m[at]biblebee.org 210-367-4101
Read more at Kirk Cameron Calls Bible ‘More Powerful’ Than Harry Potter Books After ‘National Bible Bee Game Show’ Reaches Millions On Facebook Live Premiere.
