Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

It’s awesome to see the process and inspiration of songwriters and what inspired them in the creation of their music. The worship song "Revelation Song," written by Jennie Lee Riddle, beautifully and lyrically displays the splendor and glory of God, and it’s sung in many churches and by various artists.

Kari Jobe sings Revelation Song on her album "Kari Jobe," and describes the song as "all about His glory" and a "foretaste of what we’ll sing in Heaven." In interviews she says she thinks it’s "God’s favorite song," for her to sing because every time she does God’s presence is "brand new and anointed."

Last month Kari Jobe lead worship at my church, and as the song was sung not a dry eye was in the place as hands were raised all around by people of every age and every color. Here’s a video of her singing it at another church:

Integrity Music recently put up this video of the writer, Jennie Lee Riddle, and recording artists, Kari Jobe, and Phillips, Craig & Dean (who sang the song as the single of their upcoming album "Fearless") discussing what "Revelation Song" means to them, and how it came into fruition. (Update: Phillips, Craig and Dean’s version of “Revelation Song” recently peaked at #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Christian AC.)

"…We needed a sight of Jesus, we needed somebody so much bigger than ourselves to lift our eyes up off of our daily, and off of the rubble and off of the worry, and magnify Him… To get to see Her, every generation, denomination, every nationality singing to Him, and just enjoying His beauty and His holiness, and Him wrapping Her up as one, it’s just overwhelming and humbling. " – Jennie Riddle

In an article she wrote, Jennie Riddle says she "asked the Holy Spirit to help me write a song that painted Him; a song that the angels and creation were already singing, so that we could join in with One Voice, as One Bride, to One King." She says the verses Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4 were her inspiration:

“And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that’s what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! (Message)

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Rising high in their passion for God and following a heavenly beat, Group 1 Crew inspires generations to live and dream for the Kingdom. "Movin’" is a track from their latest album "Ordinary Dreamers," that won the 2009 Dove Award Winner for Best Rap Hip Hop Album. The song is motivating and upbeat, and the video is just as energetic:

"On your mark, get set, here we go
Time to make your future unfold
And put aside what’s killing your growth
You know what’s best for ya so let’s go
Holla back if you really feel me
Holla back now if you are with me,
No time to waste the clock is tickin’
Enough wishin the walls out of commission, ain’t no superstition
No need to make your own prediction
Your destiny is in your possession
How bad you want it is the question …"

– Group 1 Crew From "Movin’"

Check out these interviews with the members of Group 1 Crew below about their vision, advice for inspiring young artists, and defining moments:

Manwell on what G1C is trying to do for this generation:

"When you put on our pair of sunglasses which is Group 1, you just get a different facet of who God is… Our whole goal is to get people to stop, to look and to fall in love like we did." – Manwell

Blanca gives advice to young artists starting out:

"Stay focused and know that it takes alot of hard work… Know that God knows what’s best for you and He has everything under control, and at the right moment at the right time He will open that right door…" – Blanca

Pablo on a defining moment in his walk with God:

"I developed a passion to want to know just how just God speaks, how Christ walks… I just fell in love with this God and our Savior…" – Pablo

Interview Courtesy of Vimeo and Music Compass.

"…God gave us a new dream that was birth in the idea that our dreams truly are for other peoples dreams to come true. If group 1 sells millions of records and wins a bunch of awards but doesn’t inspire a single person to dream for themselves, then our music meant nothing! Our dream is your dream!!! Success is never fulfilling unless you have someone to share it with…" Manwell in an interview with StereoTruth.net

Connect with Group 1 Crew and share your own dreams with them on their official website, www.group1crew.com and on Myspace at www.myspace.com/groupone.

Group One Crew Bio (From Website)

A self-professed entertainer, a pop diva, and a bona fide producer: that’s the makeup of breakout urban sensation Group 1 Crew, three everyday Latinos who rose above their circumstances and the middle-of the-road to become one of the most exciting aggregates in faith-based music.

Ordinary Dreamers, the trio’s anticipated second album for Fervent Records, shatters any and all preconceptions created by their out-of-the-box, Dove-winning debut, Group 1 Crew, to position itself as one of the most unordinary offerings of the moment—an amalgam of rhythm and rhyme that takes the best of urban pop and hip-hop and turns them upside down.

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From Deitrick Haddon’s latest album “Revealed.” Video directed by Joel Kapity of Dreams on Screen.

I love music videos that are kind of out-of-this world creative and unconventional, and this video from Deitrick Haddon and the song are really beautiful.

Ministry Watch highlights and takes a look at ministries, especially youth and young adult ministries, that are bringing people to the Lord.

Last night on TBN, CeCe Winans and Marvin Winans, Jr. had a heartfelt segment dedicated to the legacy of David ”Pop Winans, and the importance of male role models. (You can watch the episode here in the TBN archives.) Marvin talked about his album, and the the significance of the title “Image of a Man” – how men should rise to their roles as leaders. In the segment Cece also mentioned that Marvin would be attending her youth conference, Always Sisters, Forever Brothers that will take place July 24-25, 2009, in Nashville, TN, at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center.

This year is the 4th Annual edition of the conference targeted toward young people ages 13-26, and the first time they have included young men in the line-up. The goal of the event is to “educate, motivate and re-direct the life choices of our teens and young women and men.” The 2009 conference will address a number of important topics – “From date violence to teen pregnancy, eating disorders to absent fathers, and how certain choices affect the lives of all".

This year’s guest speakers include: NFL Coach Tony Dungy, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Pastor Kimberly Daniels, Nancy Alcorn, Pastor R.A. Vernon, Bis. Horace Hockett, Mom Winans & of course, CeCe Winans. The musical guests include: Mary Mary, 21:03, Anthony Evans, The Katinas, Nia Allen, Da’T.R.U.T.H. & the Chenaniah Dancers. The conference will also include a fashion show and special breakout sessions, and over 5000 young people are expected to be in attendance.

It’s definitely wonderful that CeCe continues this conference every year, and reaches out to the youth. It seems like an awesome experience that will touch the lives of many. You still have time to register, so spread the word.

To register or for more information and for a complete listing of the conference schedule, go to www.alwayssistersforeverbrothers.com or call 877.840.0457.

In this recent video below, CeCe Winans and Demetrus Stewart invite young people to attend:

You can see highlights of the 2007 conference in the video below – it all looks really exciting!:

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