Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti
As those in Haiti cry out for help, it’s amazing to see the outpouring of love and unity to come to their aid. Recently the Gospel music community came together to record a tribute song, “Are You Listening.” Kirk Franklin rallied up artists such as CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark Sheard, Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp and many others, to record the song he wrote for Haiti eight years ago.
The proceeds of the song will be donated to Unicef and other charities to help with relief efforts in the rebuilding of communities.
The Gospel Music Channel premiered the video in a one hour special presentation on Friday before the airing of the global “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon. If you missed it you can watch the encore of the special on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6:00 p.m. (ET). There will also be an exclusive “A Love Song for Haiti: The Making of ‘Are You Listening’” behind-the-scenes special in February.
“Are You Listening” is now available for purchase at www.verityrecords.com. The single will also be available next week on iTunes after January 30 at Wal-Mart and other major retailers. Do your part in sending love to Haiti with your continued donations and prayers.
Below is the music video for the song, (it is really beautiful and moving):
“All the artists associated with the project donated their talent and gifts for this project. This initiative is so important because while we are asking America to give we know that many are giving sacrificially. The people of Haiti are very spiritual people with an unwavering faith and belief in God and still count The Lord as the main source and provider. We will continue to pray and stand with them. We hope this song will bring much needed support and awareness in an effort to raise funds in the near and long-term future.”
– Kirk Franklin, who produced the song “Are You Listening.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Remembering the Legacy and the Dream
Dr. Martin Luther King: Continuing the Legacy and the Dream
He dreamed of unity, of communities of people – of every color and creed – working, living and serving together. Today as we celebrate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let’s not forget what he stood for, what he walked and fought for – and how we can continue the dream today.
As brothers and sisters in Haiti are in holding on to what ribbons of hope they have left, let’s paint strokes of that dream, and show them the brotherhood and service that God calls us to, the kind Dr. King spoke of in several of his speeches.
Visit CNN to learn more ways to help Haiti today. Here’s another way to contribute to supplies for rescue teams, via @ShaunKing.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – On Service
“If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness.
Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King – “I Have a Dream”
Continue reading for a tribute to Dr. King
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Prayer & Support for Haiti
This week thousands of lives were lost, buildings destroyed and many injured and in desperate need of aid. As we’re all hearing of and seeing the devastation in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, I want to encourage you to both pray and send your support to help those affected. This news is very close to my heart, as I have several family members there and I know many others that are trying to find and contact love ones and make sense out of confusion. Let’s pray for peace in the hearts that are hurting and put action and love behind our faith.
How You Can Help:
Donate by texting “HAITI” to 90999. A $10 donation will be charged to your cell phone bill that will go to the Red Cross. It’s quick and easy, every bit helps. Or text “YELE” to 501501 to donate $5 to the Yele Foundation, founded by music artist Wyclef Jean. You can also visit www.redcross.org or www.yele.org to donate larger amounts. Other reputable organizations you can donate to include: Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, Compassion International, Unicef.
“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:36
Buzz Snapshots: Photos from the Allstate Gospel Superfest
Above: B. Smith with the Wilbur Belton & LADWEC Choir, winners of the Bounty Soul Food Cook-off
On Saturday, January 9, the 11th annual Allstate Gospel Superfest took place at Xavier University in Cincinnati. The event, sponsored by Proctor and Gamble, hosted more than 30 national acts for one night of celebration through song and praise. Performances included Dorinda Clark Cole, Regina Belle, Richard Smallwood, The Whispers, Kiki Sheard, James Fortune, Shirley Murdock, J. J. Hairston, Jason Nelson, James Jackson & Atlanta Praise and many more.
Bishop Hezekiah Walker received the Allstate Gospel Superfest Lifetime Achievement Award, commemorating his twenty-five year career in inspirational entertainment and ministry. Past recipients of the award include, Candi Staton, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Dorothy Norwood, The Williams Brothers, Mom & Pop Winans and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
During the event, TV host and entrepreneur B. Smith hosted the Bounty Soul Food Cook-off, a competition between three of America’s top gospel choirs. Participating choirs included the Wilbur Belton & LADWEC Choir of Forestville, MD, Bishop Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship of New York City and the Ricky Dillard and New Generation Chorale of Chicago. Each group prepared their individual dish, allowing attendees and fellow participants to taste and vote on their favorite recipes. The winning recipe went to the Wilbur Benton & LADWEC Choir.
Check out more images from the event below. Click on a thumbnail to view larger images:
Video Pick: Moving Forward – Ricardo Sanchez and Israel Houghton
And He that sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new”. And He said unto me, “Write: for these words are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:5
Moving forward – a great anthem for the New Year…
Moving Forward – Lyrics by Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez
I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead
I’m here to declare to you my past is over
In You, old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ, I’m moving moving forward…What a moment, You have brought me to
Such a freedom, I have found in You
What a Healer, You make all things new
Yeah Yeah Yeah…You have risen, With all power in Your Hands
You have given me, A second Chance
Hallelujah, Hallelujah…You make all things new, I will follow You – forward…
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