The 20th season of ABC's reality show "The Bachelor" premiered this week, and hopes are high regarding the show's current love interest, Ben Higgins - a heart-broken, previous fan favorite who hails from Warsaw, Ind. The Bachelor community includes quite a diverse range of fans of all ages, and this season, Christians are rooting for Higgins to take the high moral ground and continue setting good examples as he started his romantic journey with 28 women.
Higgins, 27, the handsome software salesman who eventually was sent home last season on "The Bachelorette" by Kaitlyn Bristowe, was then referenced as chiseled but "unlovable." Fans are waiting to see what happens now that he's opened himself up again to love. He reportedly is seeking a woman who shares his faith in God, reports OHits!
Star of The Bachelor's 17th season, 32-year-old Sean Lowe, also was an open Christian during his episodes, and even quickly was nicknamed 'The Virgin Bachelor.'
Monday night, born-again Lowe live tweeted as his friend and fellow Christian, Higgins, kicked off the new season. He said Higgins has "a heart for Jesus."
In a post for Patheos published Monday, Lowe expressed his excitement to see how Higgins will exalt God on the show.
"One thing I'm especially excited to watch is how Ben uses his platform to glorify God," Lowe wrote.
"I think to this point, Ben has been painted as the 'good guy,' but I'm hoping America gets to see why he's the good person he is."
Higgins said on ABC News morning shows right before the season launched that his mom has prayed for his wife since the day he was born on March 23, 1988.
Higgins now lives in Bolder, Col., and is the only child of his parents. The 6'4" bachelor loves basketball, hiking, fishing and stimulating conversation.
While growing up a Christian, he spent a lot of time with the Baker Youth Club and teaching Sunday school at the Warsaw Community Church. He even has a quote on his Twitter profile that reads "sweetly broken, wholly surrendered," which are lyrics from a song by Christian artist Jeremy Riddle and referring to his belief in Jesus Christ. While in college, volunteered at a faith-based organization in Cuzco, Peru and worked as an intern at the Warsaw Community Church.
He sponsors a child in a third world country, and his only tattoo is a quote from the Old Testament (Proverbs 16:3): "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Seven of the original 28 contestants did not receive a rose Monday evening, and so are immediately out of the contest for Higgin's heart: Breanne, Izzy, Jessica, Laura, Lauren R., Maegan and Tiara.
Contestants still in the show include: Olivia, who received the first impression rose, Lauren B., LB, Caila, Amber, Jami, Jennifer, Jubilee, Amanda, JoJo, Leah, Rachel, Samantha, Jackie, Haley, Emily, Shushanna, Lauren H., Becca, Mandi and Lace.
