Who knew? Sponsorship is close to godliness

With the advent of two-day religious festivals in major cities, evangelists are turning to corporate sponsors to help carry the message—supposedly, the minister’s. For instance, in Detroit last weekend, Bishop Andrew Merritt and Pastor Viveca Merritt, the founders of Straight Gate International Church of Detroit, drew an estimated 50,000 people to Ford Field for a mix of ministry and music sponsored by Pfizer, Henry Ford Health System and Detroit Medical Centers, among others. But for CMOs who missed that action, there are still sponsorship opportunities to be had over the next few months in Atlanta and D.C.