With TV shows like "Pastors' Wives," "Preachers' Daughters" and "Preachers of L.A.," paving the way, viewers might not be too surprised to hear that next on the platter of religion-themed reality-based offerings is a program titled "Snake Salvation" about — you guessed it — Christians who worship using venomous snakes. But this program is unlikely to feature any glamour or glitz, as its stars are far from the comforts of suburbia and the fast pace of city life.
The new program, scheduled to air in September on the National Geographic Channel, takes a look at the lives and deadly worship practices of Pentecostal Pastors Andrew Hamblin of Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, Tenn., and Jamie Coots of Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name church of Middlesboro, Ky. Coots is reportedly a mentor to Hamblin, 22.
As described by the National Geographic Channel:
"Jamie Coots and Andrew Hamblin struggle to keep an over-100-year-old tradition alive: the practice of handling deadly snakes in church. Jamie and Andrew believe in a Bible passage that suggests a poisonous snakebite will not harm them as long as they are anointed by God's power. If they don't practice the ritual of snake handling, they believe they are destined for hell. Hunting the surrounding mountains for deadly serpents and maintaining their church's snake collection is a way of life for both men. The pastors must frequently battle the law, a disapproving society, and even at times their own families to keep their way of life alive."
The Bible passage that Coots, Hamblin and other Christians of the Signs Following Holiness communities take their cue from is found in the King James Version of Mark 16:17-18. Snake handlers believe the New Testament passage includes a command or prophecy from Jesus that his followers "shall take up serpents" without fear of harm. Those who practice this form of worship insist believers must be under God's anointing, or led by the Holy Spirit, if they choose to handle snakes during services.
"My job as pastor is to kindly keep myself and my flock in line, and to do what we feel is right according to the word of God," Coots explained in a press release. "To me it's as much a commandment from God when He said 'they shall take up serpents,' as it was when he said 'thou shall not commit adultery.'"