# Radical Reverends Church of the Holy Fool Preacher Uses Offbeat Methods to Spread God's Word By Michael Shaun Collins | Published 2010-04-13 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/church-of-the-holy-fool References: [we-make-money-not-art](http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2010/04/blessing-of-the-hippopotamus-i.php) & [churchoftheholyfool](http://www.churchoftheholyfool.com/) At the [Church of the Holy Fool](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/church-loom) in Sheffield, AL, you won't find any blessed artifacts or beautified saints--just lots and lots of weirdness. There, presiding Pastor Ethan Acres proselytizes ponderously on profound and pious points, using [art and light-hearted silliness](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anima) to spread the word of God. Examples of his eccentric method of sermonizing include the 'Blessing of the Hippopotamus,' in which he comments on a poem by T.S. Eliot by dipping himself into a pool of mud, and the 'Elvis Sweatcloth,' a sly reference to the shroud of Turin. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 90% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Religious](https://www.trendhunter.com/religious) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Art-infused Preaching:** Exploring creative and artistic approaches in preaching can engage and inspire congregations in new ways. - **Humor-based Evangelism:** Using humor and silliness in evangelism can help bring a lighthearted perspective to religious teachings and reach a broader audience. - **Unconventional Rituals:** Incorporating unconventional rituals and ceremonies in religious practice can create unique and memorable experiences for worshipers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Religious Organizations:** Religious organizations can embrace creative methods of preaching to connect with modern audiences and attract new members. - **Art and Entertainment:** Art and entertainment industries can collaborate with religious institutions to create innovative and engaging experiences that blend spirituality with creativity. - **Tourism and Hospitality:** Tourism and hospitality sectors can cater to the growing interest in unconventional religious practices by offering unique religious tourism experiences and accommodations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sacred Timber Chapels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-church-tolvkanten.md) - [Unusual Fast Food Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/believe-campaign.md) - [Reflection-Encouraging Cohesive Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hjvangen-church.md) - [AI Content Automation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/church-loom.md) - [Refurbished Welcoming Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/st-leonards-church.md) - [Religious Mascot Official Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luce.md) - [Beautiful Forest-Enclosed Churches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountain-church-of-julong.md) - [Spiked Holy Water Seltzers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spiked-holy-water-seltzer.md) - [Heavenly Behavioral Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-holiest-crap-card-game.md)