IN GUAD WE TRUST... Inside the Trinity Broadcast Center

THE BIGGA THE HAIR: Sista Jan Crouch.

IRVING, TEXAS — While researching an upcoming “214 Trans4m” project, my collaborator, Bryan Amann, and I spent the afternoon framing shots at Trinity Broadcast Center's 23-acre studio facility off Airport Freeway.

Along with some gargantuan “salvation satellites,” TBN mostly consists of a two-building complex that pays architectural homage to the White House. 

TBN’s “North Portico” homage.

In between the presidential-looking cribs is the International Production Center, which includes the lush, sparkling fountains of “Angel Gardens,” the Virtual Reality Theater, where y’all can waltz through a reproduction of Via Dolorosa (the old, walled Jerusalem city where Jesus carried his cross to Calvary) and the IPC Studio Auditorium.

While strolling the grounds, the parking lot filled up.

People pulled over to ask us where “Joel” was. We noticed folks heading toward the “South Portico” building.

Irving, Texas’ nod to Pennsylvania Avenue.

I tried to figure out why a Texas televangelism center was so concerned with Federalism and Washingtonian neoclassical design... 

I noticed all stripes of different people — some sloppily dressed — entering the building, so we decided to crash the joint just to get a peek in side.

What a delight!

TEXAS TALKSHOW: Studio audience awaits TBN’s “Praise the Lord” panelists.

We entered as ushers began seating audience members for “Praise the Lord” — TBN’s multi-panel talkshow hosted by the younger members of the Jan & Paul Crouch dynasty, Matt and wife Laurie Crouch.

Tonight’s guests included Joel and Victoria Osteen.

TBN didn’t disappoint.

Both the lobby and the studio decor was a riot of “crystal” chandeliers, marble floors, corinthian columns, sweeping staircases — all complimented by purple fabric embroidered with gold tassels.

A large part of this “White House” contained galleries filled with TBN’s many presidential seals of approval.

The voluminous exhibition is all about the union of “church” and “state.”

Throughout its 40-plus year history, there were letters addressed to Paul & Jan sent from Ronald Reagan, both George Bushes, Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Kay Bailey Hutchison.

There were proclamations about the “National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving” (1989);  Reagan’s 1983 official “Year of the Bible” announcement; a wall containing portraits of all the executive chiefs; and the 1990 SCOTUS decision that okayed school prayer clubs.

The “Praise the Lord” taping is an extravagant production, which didn’t drag on too long.

My favorite quote of the night came from Victoria Osteen, who said God’s not about rigid rules — “God is not condemnation. God is transformation.”