X17 XCLUSIVE - Britney Finds Comfort In New Hunk!

We've ID'd the "other" guy in these pix as Chad Hardcastle, a pal of Sam Lutfi's. Chad hails from Miami, Florida, according to his MySpace, and we hear he comes from a family of ministers. -- Hot AND heavenly!!!

So here's what we're thinking ... Chad's been around a bit recently and Britney seemed to love what was apparently his idea to stop at the Little Brown Church today AND he's hot AND he's not Adnan ... could Britney be into this guy???

Chad, Sam, Adnan and Brit went into the church today, said a prayer (led by Chad), and left notes in a prayer box -- Britney's note asked God to give back her children :(

Then not-so-cute Adnan escorted Brit back to the car, while Chad was looking casz and cute!

Could Brit have a new boy on the horizon? We hope so!





more pix inside ...