Halftime for Faith: Forrest Frank, Cory Asbury, and TPUSA Challenge Super Bowl 2026

Hey, Christian Podcast™ family! It’s Beto and Mili, your hosts diving into the intersection of faith and pop culture with a thoughtful lens. Our recent Christian Podcast Latino episode unpacked a bold idea that’s now grabbing headlines: Forrest Frank and Cory Asbury’s Halftime for Heaven, a Christian alternative to the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show, now joined by Turning Point USA’s All American Halftime Show, confirmed today, October 9, 2025. Both are set to rival Bad Bunny’s official performance on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. We’re intrigued but keeping it balanced—how will non-Christians perceive this? A refreshing stand for values or a Christian retreat from the mainstream? Let’s break down the vision, the faith focus, the controversy, and why Bad Bunny’s set might not suit family viewing, drawing from our podcast discussion and the latest updates.

The Plan: A Christian Halftime Sparks a Movement

Our podcast lit up when we discussed Cory Asbury’s Instagram reel: “What if we held a huge Christian event during the Super Bowl halftime, something for families?” Forrest Frank, the worship artist behind “Lemonade” and “God’s Got My Back” (and a survivor of a serious skateboarding accident), jumped in with a “Let’s do it!” That’s Halftime for Heaven: a worship-driven event streaming live on YouTube, Christian networks, and church apps, featuring bright lights, large screens, and heartfelt testimonies. They’re scouting stadiums, eyeing artists like TobyMac or Kirk Franklin (thanks to our podcast friend, a pastor from Monterrey, for the idea), and seeking sponsors to keep it affordable, perhaps free. Anne Wilson called it “incredible,” Bethany Hamilton said, “Yes, please!” and CeCe Winans added, “That would be great!” Social media’s buzzing with support.

Then, today, Turning Point USA announced their All American Halftime Show on X, a patriotic celebration of “faith, family, and freedom” timed to match the Super Bowl halftime. They’re polling fans on genres like Worship, Country, or “anything in English” (a subtle nod to Bad Bunny’s Spanish songs), with rumors of acts like Creed or Lee Greenwood. Cory clarified on X that Halftime for Heaven, dubbed the “Jesus Bowl ’26,” is a separate, worship-focused event. Two faith-driven alternatives to the Super Bowl? As Beto said, “This is exciting, but pulling off two shows with NFL-level quality? That’s a tall order.”

The Faith Focus: Worship Over Worldly Spectacle

Mili was all in during our podcast: “A family-friendly event during the Super Bowl? I’m sold!” Halftime for Heaven aims to transform the Super Bowl’s 15-minute break into a moment of worship with gospel-pop energy, acoustic depth, and real-life testimonies. Cory wants it to be “for families and kids, something pure,” while Forrest aims to “lift up Jesus without compromise.” It’s about offering an alternative to the typical halftime flash—no “twerking or nonsense,” as Beto put it, but music and messages that inspire.

TPUSA’s show adds a patriotic angle, possibly blending worship with American classics. Beto noted, “It’s inspiring to see faith take on the Super Bowl, but can they deliver the polish?” With over 100 million Super Bowl viewers, even a small share singing “Reckless Love” or a patriotic hymn could have lasting impact. Still, we’re curious if the production can match the ambition.

The Skeptical Angle: Will Non-Christians Connect or Disconnect?

In our podcast, Beto got real: “Is this awesome, or does it feel like Christians saying, ‘I’m taking my ball and going home’?” The Super Bowl halftime is a cultural giant, and Bad Bunny’s selection has stirred drama—conservatives like House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a “terrible decision” over his anti-Trump lyrics and pro-immigration stance, with some DHS officials even mentioning ICE at the game. Bad Bunny hit back on SNL, joking about critics learning Spanish. TPUSA’s show leans into this, framing their event as a patriotic protest, which could feel exclusionary to some, especially Latinos who see Bad Bunny as a cultural icon.

Halftime for Heaven takes a broader approach, but Mili wondered, “Will non-Christians see this as a wholesome option or just Christians dodging the mainstream?” It’s a valid concern. These dueling shows might rally believers but risk looking like a bubble to outsiders, reinforcing stereotypes of faith as separate rather than engaging. Done right—joyful, open, and polished—they could spark curiosity; done poorly, they might draw eye-rolls. As Beto said, “It’s not about inviting non-believers to the Super Bowl—they’re not invited to that stage. So why not do our own thing?” Still, we hope it bridges gaps, not widens them, like the Puppy Bowl does with lighthearted charm.

Why Bad Bunny’s Set Might Not Fit Family Viewing

Bad Bunny’s a global star with 76 million monthly streams, dwarfing Forrest and Cory’s numbers. But, as we noted in the podcast, four of his top five Spotify songs are explicit, packed with themes of hookups and excess. For a 15-minute slot watched by kids nationwide, that’s a concern. Beto said, “I’ve been to secular concerts like Coldplay, but songs with profanity or adult themes? Not for Super Bowl night.” Mili added, “It’s about what we feed our spirits—let’s choose inspiration over distraction.” We’re not judging Bad Bunny, but his lyrics don’t align with family values.

Case in point: Christian artist Carlos Pimentel Lake got flak on TikTok for enjoying Bad Bunny’s music, saying he likes the sound but not the message. It shows the tension—music connects, but lyrics divide. With Halftime for Heaven and TPUSA’s show, families have options that prioritize faith and values.

The Final Call: Hopeful but Watching Closely

Podcast family, February 8, 2026, is shaping up to be a big day. We’re rooting for Halftime for Heaven’s worship focus and curious about TPUSA’s patriotic spin—follow @hiforrestt, @coryasbury, and @TPUSA for updates. Share with your church group, pray for impact, and let’s see if these shows connect or divide.

What’s your take? Holy halftime or cultural sidestep? Comment below, like, subscribe, and join us on Christian Podcast™ for more on faith in the spotlight (plus Beto’s claim that Michael Jackson’s 1993 halftime peaked when he stood still for two minutes—ha!). Here’s to a halftime that inspires! 🙌🏈✨