Pastor Alan Robertson to Join 'Duck Dynasty' Cast

By Jeff Schapiro, Christian Post Reporter Friday, June 28, 2013

Alan Robertson, the eldest son of Duck Commander Company founder Phil Robertson, has announced that he's leaving his position as the pastor of a Louisiana church in order to minister to America as a cast member on "Duck Dynasty."

"What I do for our church – you see, it's a pretty good-sized church – impacts a lot of people, but because of my association with the show, I'll get to minister to a lot more people," Alan told the New York Post. "Any person that's an evangelist, that's what you want to do, so I had to give this up for something possibly bigger."

Alan, senior pastor of White's Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, La., worked for his family's now famous duck call manufacturing business in its early stages during the 1970s and '80s, according to the company's website. For a while, Alan and his father traveled through Arkansas and Louisiana selling their products to stores "right out of the truck," and he worked for the company until he felt called into full-time ministry in 1988.

But now he's returning to the family business to manage speaking tours and public relations for the family as the company's "Beards and Beauty Wrangler."

Members of the Robertson family openly speak about the importance of their Christian faith. Willie and Jase Robertson, Alan's brothers, recently spoke at Wildfire Weekend – a popular Christian men's conference that was attended by approximately 8,000 people. The stars of the popular A&E reality series, which drew a record-breaking 9.6 million viewers for its season three finale, have also made sure they are shown praying over their family dinner at the end of each episode.

"From Day 1, Dad held up his Bible and said, 'This is part of our lives, is this going to be in?'" Alan told the Post. "And they were like, 'That's in, that's part of who you are.'"

The 47-year-old preacher and his wife, Lisa, have two adult children, who Alan says will probably be introduced onto the show gradually by A&E.

Phil, who has attended White's Ferry Road Church of Christ since age 28, previously told The Christian Post his family's humility despite their fame stems from their understanding that all blessings come from God and that everyone will die someday.

"Fame is rather fleeting, as you know, or should know," Robertson told CP. "Money can come and go, and fame comes and goes. Peace of mind and a relationship with God is far more important, so this is the precedent that we've set in our lives. The bottom line is, we all die, so Jesus is the answer. Many have told me through the years: 'I think I'll take my chances without Jesus.' And I always come back and say, 'so what chance is that?'"

The fourth season of "Duck Dynasty" is set to air Aug. 14 on A&E.