When perusing through the 700 Club’s website this morning (I like a bit of comedy to start my day), I noticed a “Special Features” link to the upcoming Steve Carell film, “Evan Almighty,” about a modern-day Noah. Right there on Pat Robertson’s website, you can not only learn about the movie, you can also “test your Ark knowledge” or build your own metaphorical ark!  How strange to see the former “Daily Show” golden boy and star of the delightfully crude “The 40 Year-Old Virgin,” suddenly doing it for the Lord.

It may be hard to imagine that the comedy of a frat packer like Steve Carell could appeal to a Jesus-centric crowd but it turns out that the 700 Club is not the only evangelical organization to find “Evan Almighty” worthy of it’s good graces. Other fundamentalist Christian groups are also plugging the film on their websites—take a look at Battle Cry’s endorsement.

In the hopes of ensuring that their $175 million dollar movie makes a profit, Universal has formed a partnership with a marketing firm, Grace Hill Media which specializes in reaching Christian audiences. Notably, “Evan Almighty” is rated PG, unlike its slightly naughtier predecessor, “Bruce Almighty,” which received a PG-13. The producers have also ensured that the film’s premiere will also feature performances from Christian rock bands.

After the success of films like “Passion of the Christ,” and “Chronicles of Narnia,” who can blame them?