Inspirations|June 26, 2014 10:36 EDT By Jeannie Law

Pepsi Features Christian Artists on 25 Million Cans: Matthew West Calls for Prayer as MidAmerica President Faces Resistance (PHOTOS)

Pepsi MidAmerica President Lee Crisp faces opposition for placing Christian Artists and their music on more than 25 million cans. Singer Matthew West is asking Christians to pray for Crisp and his family.

Pepsi was a sponsor of the 2014 K-LOVE Fan Awards. The popular company was represented by it's MidAmerica President at the weekend of events. With BreatheCast in attendance, the new faces of the next Christian artists set to appear on the popular cans, were revealed at the K-LOVE Fan Awards Kick-off concert.

Pepsi reprised its Pepsi MidAmerica Artist Can Series, which launched in partnership with K-LOVE Radio Network at last year's K-LOVE Fan Awards because of how well the campaign initially did.

The award show host, popular singer West, introduced Crisp to those in attendance at the Kick-off concert. Both he and Crisp announced the artist's tied to the 2014 promotion. One by one the talented artists were disclosed, for KING & COUNTRY would feature on Pepsi, Josh Wilson on Diet Pepsi, Britt Nicole on Mountain Dew, Casting Crowns on Dr. Pepper; later that weekend Jamie Grace received the K-LOVE Fan Award presented by Pepsi MidAmerica in which fans voted for her to be the artist on the 7-UP cans.

After the artists were announced, West asked fans in attendance to call down heaven and pray for Crisp because of the level of opposition he had been up against since deciding to place Christian artists on such a mainstream brand.

Crisp explained, he himself is a Christian, and really wanted to do this because he wanted to expose more people to great artists with a positive message. He also mentioned that he was happy to help expose people to music that was appropriate for his children to listen to.

Pepsi MidAmerica is set to distribute 25 million of these special edition cans starting this fall. Additionally, consumers will be able to download a free song by the artist pictured on their can. Although neither West nor Crisp went into detail about the struggle Crisp had in making the collaboration possible, West did hint that it was severe and not very popular amongst Crisps' peers.

The Pepsi MidAmerica region includes Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. This year's specialty cans, which are a promotion between KLOVE and Pepsi MidAmerica, will more than double last year's run of 12 million Christian music-branded soft drinks.

Last year's cover artists included West, Matt Maher, TobyMac and Francesca Battistelli.

In a press release about the promotion Crisp noted, "These Pepsi cans were originally intended to quench thirst but now we realize they're able to quench a deeper thirst ... a thirst of the soul." Adding, "I am thrilled to once again share these unique artists with our consumers. I look forward to the impact these cans and the message they carry will have in the market."

For more information on the visit the Pepsi MidAmerica website