NEW YORK, NY — Premiering on Easter Sunday, April 4 at 8:00 pm,* BET's hit singing competition "Sunday Best" returns for a third season of higher praise and tougher competition. Hosted by gospel legend Kirk Franklin, the new season welcomes gospel recording artists Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams to the stellar team of judges including returning multi-award winning siblings Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary. Making U.S. stops in Detroit, New Orleans and Philadelphia, "Sunday Best" season 3 throws the net even wider to include auditions in Lagos, Nigeria.

The premiere episode of "Sunday Best" season 3 will be dedicated to the first ever international auditions in West Africa. Host Kirk Franklin, new judge Pastor Donnie McClurkin and guest judges Kim Burrell and British Nigerian gospel artist Muyiwa Olarewaju venture to Lagos, Nigeria to audition over 1,000 hopefuls all vying for a spot to travel to New Orleans and compete on the main stage to be BET's "Sunday Best," In addition to the coveted title of "Sunday Best," the winner of season three will receive a brand new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and prizes from Degree Nature Effects and Colgate. Additional sponsors for "Sunday Best" season three include Pillsbury Grands, Nationwide, General Mills and Design Essentials.



During each week's hour-long competition, viewers will be treated to the entertaining and sometimes hilarious audition process followed by musical performances from the "Sunday Best" top 20 contestants. Fans can expect a season filled with candid feedback from the all-star team of judges and surprise visits from an array of celebrity mentors. "Sunday Best" is a 12 week series executive produced by D'Angela Proctor Sneed and Nia T. Hill of Strange Fruit Media, Kirk Franklin and Erica and Tina Campbell.


*All times ET/PT