Country-Gospel Singer Susie McEntire-Eaton to Host
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 28, 2021) — Publisher Thomas Nelson announced today that Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, the bestselling devotional brand that has sold more than 30 million units, will premiere the second season of its inspirational TV show, Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith, May 18 at 8:30 p.m. EST on Circle Network. Viewing options for the show are available at https://www.circleallaccess.com/watch, including over-the-air and streamers like Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, and more.
Based on the namesake book Jesus Calling® (Thomas Nelson), the series is produced in partnership with Four Eyes Media and will share more inspirational stories of success, loss, heartbreak, and redemption told by people of faith from all walks of life. Host Susie McEntire-Eaton kicks off the second season with country music superstar Sara Evans and gospel music sensation Kierra Sheard-Kelly, followed by an A-list roster of guests including NFL Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, pop star Ally Brooke, MLB star Darryl Strawberry, country music star and Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith Season 1 host Lauren Alaina, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, and many more.
Additionally, the season will feature an exclusive interview of Susie talking with her sister, country music superstar Reba McEntire. The sisters will share their experiences growing up in the McEntire family, and how their lives were impacted by ranching, rodeo, and faith.
“I’m so excited to host the new season of Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith,” said McEntire-Eaton. “I know how much Jesus Calling has meant to me in my own faith walk, and I’m thrilled to share stories from others who have seen their lives changed and hope restored through this book.”
“We are thrilled to have Susie hosting Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith,” said Michael Aulisio, Vice President of Marketing for the Children’s & Gift Books Group at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “Susie’s powerful story of resilience connected with countless viewers during our first season. Her warmth and sincerity will continue to inspire viewers all throughout this new season.”
Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith is a part of Circle’s two-hour Faith Block, airing from 8 – 10 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and 2 – 4 p.m. ET on Sundays.
“The diverse stories and guests featured on the first season of Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith resonated with our Circle viewers in an organic way, so we are excited to partner with Thomas Nelson and Four Eyes Media for a second time on season two,” said Teresa George, Circle VP of Strategic Partnerships. “The show was inspired by various country artists and celebrities who were transformed by their faith in God. We’ve enjoyed helping to bring these real stories of heartache and success to life, and look forward to continuing to do so in the new episodes to come.”
Since it was first published in 2004, the Jesus Calling brand has grown to include children’s devotionals, Bible storybooks, journals, seasonal books, an app, two ECPA Book of the Year awards for Jesus Today and Jesus Always, a print and digital quarterly magazine, a podcast that recently exceeded 7 million downloads, and a TV show. Author of Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, continues to be inspired by how the brand touches lives in new ways, including the TV show.
“I am delighted that Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith is returning for a second season,” said Young. “It’s wonderful to be associated with people who are willing to share their powerful faith stories and tell us how God is at work in their lives and in the world today.”
The Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith programming schedule—airing from Tuesday, May 18 through Sunday, August 8—includes:
Tuesday, May 18 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, May 23 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 1: Faith to Shine the Light
Main Guest: Sara Evans, Country Music Star
Guest 2: Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Gospel Singer
Tuesday, May 25 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, May 30 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 2: Faith in Your Hour of Need
Main Guest: Darryl Strawberry, MLB Star
Guest 2: Kay Warren, author, wife of Pastor Rick Warren of The Purpose Driven Life
Tuesday, June 1 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, June 6 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 3: Faith to Overcome Obstacles
Main Guest: Kurt Warner, NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback
Guest 2: Kurt Angle, Olympic Gold Medalist and WWE Superstar
Tuesday, June 8 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, June 13 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 4: Faith to Believe in Love
Main Guest: Chris & Emily Norton, Motivational Speakers/Authors
Guest 2: Ally Brooke, Pop Singer
Tuesday, June 15 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, June 20 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 5: Faith to Be Restored
Main Guest: Ryan Sheckler, Pro Skateboarder, Star of MTV’s Life of Ryan
Guest 2: Russ Taff, Christian Musician
Tuesday, June 22 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, June 27 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 6: Faith in Things Not Seen
Main Guest: Lauren Alaina, Country Music Star
Guest 2: Raleigh Keegan, Country Music Artist
Tuesday, June 29 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, July 4 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 7: Faith Over Fear
Main Guest: Nik Wallenda, Tightrope Walker
Guest 2: Collin Raye, Country Music Star
Tuesday, July 6 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, July 11 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 8: Faith to Become Who We’re Meant to Be
Main Guest: Rashad Jennings, Former NFL Player, Dancing with the Stars winner
Guest 2: Michael Franzese, Public Speaker, Former Mob Boss
Tuesday, July 13 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, July 18 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 9: Faith to Be Different
Main Guest: Lathan Warlick, Country Music Artist
Guest 2: Col. Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, Veteran POW, Hanoi Hilton Survivor
Tuesday, July 20 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, July 25 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 10: Faith & Family First
Main Guest: David Crowder, Christian Music Worship Artist
Guest 2: High Valley, Country Music Duo
Tuesday, July 27 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, Aug. 1 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 11: The Faith of Two Sisters
Main Guests: Reba McEntire & Susie McEntire-Eaton, Country Music Singers
Tuesday, Aug. 3 @ 8:30 P.M. ET (re-airing Sunday, Aug. 8 @ 2 p.m. ET)
Episode 12: Passing the Faith Along
Main Guest: Tony Dungy, NFL Hall of Fame Coach
Guest 2: Daryle Singletary Tribute (Country Music Artist) with wife Holly Singletary
* Susie McEntire-Eaton available for interviews*
ABOUT CIRCLE: Circle is a media network dedicated to celebrating the country lifestyle and putting fans inside the circle of everything country. Circle offers entertainment news, documentaries, movies, archival, new and licensed programming, Grand Ole Opry performances, and more. The network recently announced ad-support streaming distribution partnerships with Redbox, Peacock, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, XUMO and VIZIO Free Channels, bringing its country lifestyle programming to millions more through TVs, smart phones and tablets. Named Digiday’s 2021 Best Streaming TV Platform and Pollstar’s #1 Livestreamer for 2020, Circle is a joint venture between Opry Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, and Gray Television.
ABOUT SUSIE MCENTIRE-EATON: Susie McEntire-Eaton is the product of a third-generation ranching/rodeoing family from the hills of Southeastern Oklahoma. Raised in a house with four children who cut their teeth on ranch work, sports, singing, and rodeo, Susie says all of these activities helped mold her values and shape her character into the woman she is today. “My mama and daddy didn’t have a lot of money,” she says, “but they had determination and a great work ethic. They instilled that in us, and gave us lots of opportunities.”
Susie started singing in front of a crowd in 2nd grade, and appeared onstage with her brother and sister as “The Singing McEntires” in high school and toured with Reba from 1980–1982. She also appeared with Reba on The Opry, The Johnny Carson Show, and Hee Haw.
In 1984, Susie said yes to God to sing for a different purpose. She was on fire to share her message, and the world opened up as Susie and her young family traveled across the globe and Susie performed as a country gospel singer. In the meantime, she recorded 17 albums.
Since 2007, Susie has served as a co-host of Cowboy Church on RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. A seasoned performer with an amazing story, Susie is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame who has a unique ability to connect with audiences everywhere and instantly make them feel like friends.
ABOUT THOMAS NELSON: Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.
Contacts:
- Circle: Teresa George, tgeorge@circleplus.com | Sunshine Sachs, circle@sunshinesachs.com
- Susie McEntire-Eaton: Mark Eaton, mark@eatonleadership.org
- Thomas Nelson: Natividad Lewis, natividad.lewis@harpercollins.com
