Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

The song “Don’t Cry” from Kirk Franklin’s album “The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin” is one of my favorites that reminds of the Easter season and the victory of our Savior. Here it is accompanied by an expressive dance.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Matthew 28:6

Marvin Sapp’s latest album “Here I Am” has reached No.2 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the highest debuting Gospel release ever.*

“Here I Am”

Within the resounding success of his latest album “Here I Am,” and the breakthrough his previous project “Thirsty,” Marvin Sapp is still down-to-earth, thankful and even surprised at how his music has been embraced. Among the accomplishments he stays continually grounded in the purpose of his mission to reach the masses. As the senior pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Michigan he stands firm in his creed “I am a preacher who happens to sing,” and presents both his messages and music with powerful, life-changing Word and truth.

“Here I Am” his eighth album, recorded live last October, is filled with heartfelt encouragement and a mix of musical arrangements from more traditional gospel to the more contemporary. The project and messages within are sure to be enjoyed by a range of people, clearly shown by the album’s surge to the No.1 position on Billboard’s Gospel and Christian charts and No.2 on the Billboard 200.

Marvin Sapp chatted with Dream in Soul about the vision behind the album, and also shared some Soul Dreamer Inspiration about ministry, industry, talent and calling. Read and listen in to the conversation below:

Dream in Soul: Hi Pastor Sapp, thank you for taking the time to speak to me today. Can you talk about where you are now since your last project “Thirsty” and what inspired you to create this new project “Here I Am”?

Marvin Sapp: Well this record “Here I Am” is just a tad bit different than “Thirsty.” “Thirsty” is a little more worshipful than this record. There’s worship on it, but this one is not only worship but is also a record that really strives to encourage and enrich, and to talk about personal identity, as pertaining to personal identity in Christ.

So many times we feel as if we are inadequate and that we don’t possess any abilities and skills to be able to accomplish the goals that God has set for us to accomplish and go after. “Here I Am” just speaks to that whole concept of people really understanding that man looks at the outward appearance but it’s God who looks at the heart, and how we don’t need people to define us.

DS: Definitely, the song “Never Would Have Made It,” touched a lot of lives and had great success. Did you come into this new project with any type of expectations, fears or hopes?

MS: Without question, I had tons of fears and apprehensions. I don’t know if it was fears as much as it was just nervousness because “Never Would Have Made It” and the “Thirsty” album were huge. Never in my wildest dreams or imagination would I have thought that record would have done what it has done.

So definitely coming behind something like that you’re just shocked. So now three years later, I just finally said well I’ll never possibly be able to reach that plateau again. So there’s no need for me to try to compete with myself, as much as it is for me to put out music that ministers to my heart and hopefully it ministers to the hearts of people as well.

DS: Definitely, I know the song “The Best in Me” was very also popular when it came out. Were you surprised at how successful it is right now?

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KJ-52 and Group 1 Crew present The Modern Day Heroes Tour, with special guests Bread of Stone & Grace Cambell. The tour has thirty dates spanning over six weeks and covering more than fifteen states starting at the end of February. It will combine both music and Bible studies, and at each stop a local hero nominated by fans will be honored. Check out the details and promo video below and visit www.moderndayheroestour.com for tour dates and to make nominations.

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Michael W. Smith recently rallied together a number of artists to sing a tribute song, “Come Together Now” to continue to raise awareness and relief aid for Haiti. 100% of the proceeds will go to Samaritan’s Purse and the Red Cross.

Some of the contributing artists included Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, TobyMac, B. Reith, Michael Tait, Brandon Heath, Nicole C. Mullen, Mandisa, Britt Nicole and several others.

Below watch the official video, and visit www.cometogethernowhaiti.com to purchase and to learn more.

“As soon as I stop worrying / Worrying how the story ends
When I let go and I let God / Let God have His way
That’s when things start happening / When I stop looking at back then
When I let go and I let God / Let God have His way…”
Lyrics by PJ Morton

Another version of “Let Go, Let God” is featured on PJ Morton’s most recent album, Walk Alone, a refreshing blend of “soulful pop.”

Walk Alone Description From His Website
“…Walk Alone symbolizes the breadth of PJ’s self-expression as well as his creative choices with music beyond the confines of labels. “In the state of the world I feel alone because of the way I choose to do music with true instrumentation. Creating stories and lyrics with meaning feels like a minority not a majority.”