'Undercover Boss' Prayer on CBS Sparks Faith Firestorm

The following is cross-posted from Human Events, where Mattera serves as editor.

Christian conservatives often decry the silencing of faith by major network television. 

But Sunday night on CBS’ hit reality TV series “Undercover Boss,” people of faith had their breath taken away by what they witnessed, sparking a Facebook and Twitter avalanche of support and praise. 

On Facebook, Kini Se remarked, “Loved the episode of 'Undercover Boss' last night.  It is the BEST one yet.  It is great to see you praising the Lord on National television.  The entire time, I had tears running down my face.  It was real, it was true and inspirational.  God bless you and your family.” 

Chris Connor on Twitter wrote, “Loving that #undercoverboss has a positive Christian perspective features tonight—about time we have a good depiction in the media.” 

The show featured Baja Fresh CEO David Kim, a Korean immigrant who has gained a reputation as an “empire builder” within the food and restaurant franchise world, praying with his children, praying alone in a church, even praying with one of his employees—a scene surely to cause ire among anti-faith in the workplace progressives.  But the serial entrepreneur, who is also the CEO of La Salsa and Sweet Factory, is not bashful about his faith or passion for America. 

“America is about freedom!” Kim told HUMAN EVENTS.  “As Christians, we shouldn’t be afraid to share the hope within us.  It’s what our country’s Founding Fathers believed in.  So why hide the love inside our hearts?”  

Why hide it indeed.  Except that by the American Left, such outward devotion to God is treated with scorn and derision.  The PC police eavesdrop on the American conversation to ensure that any references to Christianity are purged from the public vernacular.   

But Kim wasn’t picking a fight or making a cultural statement.  He was just being, well, he was just being himself.

“Why can’t we just pray?  Why is this even a big deal?  It was spontaneous.  It was nothing.”

Here’s how it went down.

While incognito at the Cypress, Calif., branch of Baja Fresh, Kim got choked up when talking to a 20-year-old employee, Anthony, who emigrated from the Philippines to the United States and who, at his very young age, must financially support his five siblings and his mother, having been abandoned by the father.

Upon learning that Anthony was a Christian, Kim asked whether they could “pray for each other.”  The prayer took place, and more importantly, remained unscathed on the editing chopping block.

The “Dear Heavenly Father Lord” aired for millions and millions to see.

Go ahead, pinch yourself.  We’re talking about CBS here.

“I have watched several of the 'Undercover Boss' episodes and had to send you a message, which I hope you see,” said Sandra Camacho on Kim’s Facebook page.  “My comment, as well as the other comments I see, [is that I was] touched by watching you.  The fact is that my husband and I were in tears giving praise to God for your humility, humbleness, and especially your boldness to pray on National TV and give the one who deserves all the glory the honor and praise to.”

Kim, who played the role of a clerk named Ken, told HUMAN EVENTS that he’s unapologetic about his Christian walk and that he will never let his voice be silenced.  “A minority of individuals suppress the voices of the majority of Americans.  That’s not right.”

Sources close to AOL News disclosed that their report on Sunday’s show has received “unprecedented” traffic and that they’ve “never seen anything like it before.”

The Baja Fresh CEO is also the author of The 12 Values that Fuel Billionaire Success and has a truly rags-to-riches story.

His family came to the United States from South Korea penniless, and in order to make ends meet, his parents were relegated to selling whatever they could find to people passing by.

“I couldn’t erase those memories,” Kim told HUMAN EVENTS, and it inspired him to become an entrepreneur.  Today, as the “Undercover Boss” profile piece noted, Kim’s Baja Fresh branches stretch a solid 400 strong across 29 states and the franchise is worth more than $300 million.

Thank you, capitalism.  Actually, he does thank it, having given speeches titled “Capitalism Fuels Freedom”to student activists with Young America’s Foundation.

Kim hits the speaking circuit because he believes that natural-born Americans take the cornerstones of freedom, property rights, and individual liberty for granted.

“When you’re caught with a Bible in North Korea, they kill you.”

“Americans who haven’t seen other systems, don’t understand.  Other countries are not the same.  They’re just not,” he added emphatically.

And the social media universe took notice, as thousands of Facebook and Twitter messages poured in.

Nan Kc J on Facebook had this to say:  “You, David Kim, are a true immigrant success story, and I hope everyone saw it last night:  Family man [and] faith within yourself was a gift to watch.  Thank you so much!”