Indy pastor reaches national spotlight in online reality show ‘The Gospel’

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Kenneth Sullivan Jr. is used to delivering messages of inspiration to his community.

As an Indianapolis native and the pastor of New Direction Church on the city’s east side, Sullivan says his name has traveled Indiana. But for the first time, his voice will be on a national platform.

Sullivan is being featured on Season 2 of the faith-based, online reality show “The Gospel.” The show puts a spotlight on five pastors from around the country, who are chosen from thousands, to be trained and developed by Bishop T.D. Jakes at The Potter’s House Church in Dallas, Texas.

The goal of the show is for Jakes and his team to find “The Best Preacher You’ve Never Heard” through his Jakes Divinity School.

“I got to represent God, our city Indianapolis and our church New Direction,” Sullivan said.

He described going through the process after recently getting a master’s degree in Christian leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. “It’s intense,” he said. “It was spiritually invigorating. It was encouraging to me as a minister, as a person, and I got some nice castmates that I met who are also gifted.”

He called it “a dream come true” to preach at The Potter’s House and connect with Jakes, who’s built an international platform as a minister, author and filmmaker. Sullivan encourages people, even those who don’t have an interest in preaching, to see what you can learn as an aspiring leader.

“It gives you an inside look at what it means to stand up and proclaim and represent God and to be at the top of your game,” Sullivan said. “It allowed me to realize that all of my hard work, all of my sweat, tears and prayers had been manifested.”

“The Gospel” Season 2 airs at 8 p.m. Monday on the web.