Steven Furtick to Replace Kenneth Copeland on TBN

Trinity Broadcasting Network has announced it will no longer air Believer’s Voice of Victory, the daily program produced by Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

“Instead, the network will replace it with programming by Steven Furtick, a megachurch pastor widely known for his appearances on PreachersNSneakers, an Instagram account that features influencer pastors and their expensive shoes,” according to Religion News Service. The change will be effective Oct. 2.

The Texas-based Kenneth Copeland Ministries shared the news on its blog and Facebook page, encouraging viewers that “it’s easy to find us on one of our many other ways to watch.”

Copeland issued a gracious response to the decision on the ministry’s blog, saying Kenneth Copeland Ministries “has been privileged and honored to partner with TBN in preaching the gospel to the world!” and expressing his gratitude for TBN founders Dr. Paul and Jan Crouch as well as for Matt and Laurie Crouch, who took Matt’s parents’ place after their deaths.

Copeland wrote:

Recently, Matt let me know they believe The LORD is taking TBN in a new direction, and our daily program, Believer’s Voice of Victory (BVOV), isn’t really a fit for their future programming. Therefore, as of Oct. 2, 2020, the BVOV broadcast will no longer air on TBN.

This is a big change, but one we are ready for because we understand change. In fact, the word of The LORD for 2020 is “New Visions, Manifest Power and GREAT Change!” And it’s coming to pass in full force here at Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

We are exploding with vision. We are experiencing His power, and we have embraced the greatest changes we have ever seen. Change is a good thing because everything that is alive changes in order to grow.

Nate Daniels, marketing director for TBN, said the move “is part of a number of changes the network has been making for the last several years.”

“Just like the world in which we live, TBN is constantly evolving, seeking to provide exclusive programming that is uniquely built for the challenges facing Christians in this moment,” Daniels said in a statement provided to Religion News Service on Aug. 19. “As the leading global religious broadcaster, we want to provide our viewers with compelling and dynamic preaching, teaching, news and entertainment.”

Furtick leads Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, a megachurch described as one of the fastest-growing churches in the nation. Known for his casual dress and approachable style, he has built Elevation Church into a multi-campus ministry and associated himself with other megachurch pastors including T.D. Jakes, Perry Noble and Joel Osteen, RNS reports. {eoa}