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Crossroads turns church into spectator sport

Super Bowl of Preaching meant to boost attendance
Posted at 8:39 AM, Feb 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-06 07:32:42-05

CINCINNATI -- Tailgating, smack talk and eye-catching commercials are all taking center state at Crossroads Church in Oakley on Sunday.

It's part of an effort to boost attendance at what's traditionally one of the most sparse church services of the year.

Crossroads is hosting the Super Bowl of Preaching, a battle between pastors Brian Tome and Chuck Mingo to see who can take a topic and preach about it best.

They'll have to work in certain random phrases every quarter, and there's a halftime show. All of it's meant to mimic the big game happening in Houston and turn church into a spectator sport.

The event is in its 14th year, with 34 services across Ohio and Kentucky expected to reach about 40,000 people.

The services take place at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Crossroads in Oakley, and the church also is streaming the event online.