The Friday, March 20^th 2009, ABC TV’s Nightline will be filming a “Face Off” debate covering the topic “Does Satanl Exist?” at the Mars Hill Ballard Campus. It is scheduled to air as a multi-part debate series on ABC. Those invited to the debate are nationally known, controversial personalities.

Against Satan’s Existence: Bishop Carlton Pearson.

Bishop Pearson’s controversial “Gospel of Inclusion“, now in book form, is the culmination of a “revelation” the Bishop claims he had over a decade ago. With a large pentecostal congregation inherited from his father, Bishop Pearson began wrestling with an ago old question: Why would a loving God send his children to hell?

After years of wrestling with the issue, he began to doubt whether Satan or hell existed. Eventually a “revelation” came to him, and he decided that Hell did not exist. As a result, noone is sentenced to hell, rendering proselytizing and dogmas

Against Satan’s Existence: Deepak Chopra.

As president of the “Alliance for a New Humanity”, Deepak Chopra is an international speaker and lecturer on spiritual issues. He has published several books, including his latest: “Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment“. Well received by American audiences, Deepak will definitely bring a more palatable version of the eastern worldview to the debate.

For Satan’s Existence: Pastor Mark Driscoll.

Mars Hill Church is one of the fastest growing churches in the Northwest. To keep up with the huge growth curve, they have a lead speaking Pastor, Mark Driscoll. Each Sunday he preaches via satellite, being broadcast to numerous campus churches across the Puget Sound area, including: Bellevue, Olympia, and Downtown Seattle.

A controversial figure, Pastor Driscoll is known for tackling the toughest Biblical issues in very non-traditional ways. Although traditional in theology, the methods employed are not. This has spawned criticism from both the right and left sides of the political and religious spectrum.

Attacked in the press and online, Pastor Driscoll still takes on national and international speaking engagements despite the pressure. For those in his congregation, Pastor Driscoll is an entertaining and unapologetic pastor, approaching tough issues using humor to soften the blow.

For Satan’s Existence: Annie Lobert.

A former high-priced call girl herself, Annie Lobert now reaches out to the escorts and prostitutes walking the streets of her adopted home town, Las Vegas. Her foundation, “Hookers for Jesus”, ministers to those trapped in the industry, intimidated by pimps, or just looking for a way out. Each night, she personally walks the streets handing out Bibles and spreading the message of hope, “You don’t have to live this way.” She has a powerful testamony and has been featured on several network television shows, including the 700 Club and Life Today with James and Betty Robinson.

For more information on the story on the ABC Nightline website.