Simone Biles Takes Viewers to 'Church' with 'Good, Good Father' Performance

John Jessup
04-12-2017

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Parents and critics often complain about indecent and graphic primetime programming. But one broadcast network practically took viewers to "church" with emotional performances to two popular Christian songs.

On ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles fought back tears dancing the Viennese waltz to Chris Tomlin's "Good Good Father." The performance was done as a tribute to her adoptive parents, Ron and Nellie Biles.

In an introductory video setting up her dance routine, the 20-year-old gymnast explained how she and her siblings were placed in foster care by their mother, who struggled with addictions to drugs and alcohol. Her biological grandfather began caring for them when Simone was 3 years old.

"Whenever we had visits with my grandpa I was so excited," Biles confided to her professional dancing partner, Sasha Farber. "That was the person I always wanted to see."

"On the flight home, Simone kept smiling away – smiling away," Ron Biles recalled.

"I just looked at her. I said, 'You're not going to steal my heart,' " he joked. "She did. She did."

When the band concluded the popular worship chorus, Biles ran from center stage to her adopted father for a long, teary-eyed embrace.

On Twitter, Christian singer Chris Tomlin sent Biles a message:

"I just heard what you did," he tweeted. "You're a champion in so many ways! Much love."

The same episode featured Mr. T dancing a waltz to a nine-person choir in white robes singing "Amazing Grace."

The actor and former wrestler chose the traditional hymn to "honor God" and acknowledge his battle against cancer.

Although a crowd favorite, Mr. T was eliminated from the competition in Monday's episode, dubbed "Most Memorable Year."

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About The Author

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John
Jessup

John Jessup serves as the main news anchor for CBN, based at the network's news bureau in Washington, D.C. He joined CBN News in September 2003, starting as a national correspondent and then covering the Pentagon and Capitol Hill. His work in broadcast news has earned him several awards in reporting, producing, and coordinating election coverage. While at CBN, John has reported from several places, including Moore, Oklahoma, after the historic EF5 tornado and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. He also traveled to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the height
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