Church’s ‘Cash Me Inside’ ad a fail

I t s t a r t e d a s a s i mp l e marketing gimmick, the brainchild of a hip millennial w h o s p o k e the language of his generation.

But then, rather quickly — because that’s how fast things move in the social-media era — the idea turned into something else — a public relations disaster that had a Lake Worth church in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

This past week, Believer’s Victory Church on Lakeside Drive placed a billboard along I-95 that played off the ridiculously popular phrase “Cash Me Outside,” uttered on “Dr. Phil” by Danielle Bregoli, a troubled Boynton Beach teen who in recent months has made the women on Girls Gone Wild look like Mouseketeers.

The ad read: “Cash Me Inside, How ’Bout Dat? Your Informal Invite to Church.”

Ben Witte, the 27-year-old church member who came up with the idea, said he thought Kevin D. Thompson the phrase would be a good way to attract more younger members.

“We n e e d t o r e a c h t h e younger generation and that phrase is pretty positive with young people,” Witte said. “Hopefully we can get them to church so we can spread hope and love in their lives.”

Ira Peskowitz, Bregoli’s dad, di dn’t t a ke i t t hat way and demanded the church remove the ad.

In a statement issued by family spokesman Elliot Cohen, Peskowitz called the billboard “offensive” and “deplorable.”

“Believer’s Church is not only tone deaf and insensitive, but seems to think it’s OK to take advantage of a tragic situation involving a child for their own gain,” the statement read.

The church responded almost immediately by doing what Peskowitz demanded. It was the right thing to do. No matter how well intentioned Witte’s idea was, it was a mistake and distasteful.

Sure, Bregoli, 14, has become a viral sensation, which isn’t hard to do these days. But she’s getting attention for all the wrong reasons — disrespecting her parents, acting like a thug, mangling the English language.

A church has no business associating itself with a young girl who is clearly crying out for help even if she doesn’t know it. When your parents split, like Bregoli’s have, their kids often suffer more.

Bregoli wants attention and she’s been getting it. A reality show is in the works. A reported meeting with music producers who have worked with Kanye West, Alicia Keys and Eminem is planned. Getting paid $40,000 for a meet-and-greet at next month’s Rolling Loud Music Festival in Miami.

It’s shameless exploitation at its highest.

Does a church — a church — want to be doing the same thing?