KFI's Jesus Christ Show takes issues to heart

July 5, 9:03 AMLA Church & State ExaminerAlex Murashko

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Neil Saavedra opens heart in the Jesus Christ Show.

"Hello, Holy Host, how are you today?" Sean, a caller to the Jesus Christ Show asks.

"I have a lot of bitterness today...," Sean continues.

Sean and the talk show's host discuss the biblical response to being angry and bitter.  After a commercial break on Los Angeles radio station KFI AM 640, another caller launches into talk of a dissappointing marriage.

"Hello, Jesus. I made a covenant with God...but our marriage has been just miserable," John said.

And so it goes, every Sunday morning, from 6 to 9 a.m. The Jesus Christ Show "Holy Host," Neil Saavedra, compassionately listens to callers as they are looking for answers to their life struggles or theological questions. Saavedra also thoughtfully engages in conversation, using the Bible and his background to give his answers and thoughts.

Billed as "interactive radio theater," Saavedra recently twittered that he learned a long time ago that in order to get a message across there has to be some risk taking involved. He handles being called "Jesus" with ease and comfort. The show never seems to get combative.

This Sunday, a caller declares himself as atheist, but wants to ask "Jesus" what he thinks of himself as as atheist. "Where do you stand on that?" the atheist asks.

"If you do not believe in me, the question is irrelevant," Saavedra says.

"Jesus" showed up for the first time on KFI AM 640 in 1998, according to Saavedra. However, as a show, it's been on for about 9 years, he said.

Saavedra twitters that the most satisfying part of dong the show is "the opportunity to give listeners (and myself) a different perspective on Jesus and present the Gospel in entertaining way."

I find the Jesus Christ Show to be not only entertaining, but very engaging. The calls are usually fascinating and within the few hours of the show, a good representation of society today.

More articles by Alex Murashko can be found at LA Church & State Examiner.