“It’s common to say, ‘It’s not about me, God. It’s about You.’ Yet I’m really at that point right now. The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:13, ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ But we live in such a distracted society; we let the world’s noise divide our focus and our hearts. Our generation is in desperate need of crying out to God.” - Jeremy Camp

From JeremyCamp.com

This Fall Jeremy will also be on tour with John Mark McMillan and Carlos Whittaker; click here to learn more about the Worship Tour and for dates.

You can listen to clips from the album, featuring songs like “Jesus Saves” and “Overcome” below. Click here to order We Cry Out: The Worship Project (Released August 24, 2010)

Below, watch Jeremy Camp talk about the inspiration behind the album, and listen to the full song “Overcome”:

Y’Anna Crawley On “The Promise”
“With everything that I’ve gone through, all my ups and downs, with people talking about me and saying that I would never make it because I had two kids, I was resting on God’s promise.”

“I’m hoping that people who listen to this CD will be uplifted and encouraged. I want them to realize that dreams do come true, so you should never give up on your dreams. When you get knocked down you get back up and just keep pressing through.”

Y’Anna also wants to use her blessings to bless others through THE PROMISE Foundation. This initiative will seek to provide, health, wellness, fitness, self-esteem building, social services, as well as scholarships to young women between 18 and 35. She also is planning a second initiative called Momma’s Boys, which is intended to be an agent to encourage, teach, provide guidance and information and assist with connecting young boys with positive male role models and mentors in their communities.

Click here to order The Promise on Amazon.com, and preview the songs below. (Release Date: August 24, 2010)

Check out The Buzz on the the latest in Gospel & Christian News. Click here to view all posts in The Buzz blog section.

Jeremy Camp On “We Cry Out”

Jeremy Camp recently released his new album, We Cry Out: The Worship Project. Listen to clips from the project…

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Y’Anna Crawley Releases The Promise

BET’s Sunday Best second season winner Y’Anna Crawley has released her first solo CD project, The Promise…

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Natalie Grant Sparks a Love Revolution

Natalie Grant is starting a Love Revolution inspiring others to share compassion with the release of her new album of the same title…

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Israel Houghton’s Love God Love People Releases August 31

Israel Houghton is getting ready to release his new album “Love God. Love People.” Watch a video teaser and preview the album…

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Fred Hammond’s Life in the Word

Instead of being the main voice behind the microphone, Fred Hammond has become the mentor and visionary behind his latest project, “Life in the Word”…

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“When we live the love of the Gospel out loud, a revolution will occur.”
- Natalie Grant

Natalie Grant is starting a Love Revolution inspiring others to share compassion with the release of her new album of the same title. Not only does she bring new inspiring songs on the project, she is also challenging others to share their “love stories” of how they are spreading the love in their own communities. Visit http://startaloverevolution.com to learn more how you can share your own story.

Listen to clips from the album below and click here to order Love Revolution today.

Watch Natalie Grant and Jordin Sparks perform ‘Human’ from the new record “Love Revolution,” recorded at the 41st Annual Dove Awards on April 21st & televised on GMC on April 25th.

Album Description

A powerhouse vocalist, heart-gripping songwriter and charismatic performer, Grant returns to the music marketplace with an unshakeable determination to remind us of the simple significance of love and the revolutionary power that it carries.

The album’s first single, “Greatness of our God,” is a ballad recognizing our fragile existence in view of God’s incomprehensible greatness. The song, written by Reuben Morgan, Jason Ingram and Stuart Garrard, continues to gain significant airplay at radio stations across the nation…

Continue Reading on Natalie Grant’s Website

“If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!” – Nick Vujicic

Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic faced an overwhelming battle as a youth to come to terms with the way he was made and to realize that God had a purpose for him. Through his ministry Life Without Limbs Nick has become a worldwide speaker, author and preacher of the Gospel. Now in his late twenties, Nick continues to reach out to people of all ages and backgrounds to let them know that they too can overcome the barriers and hardships in life through the grace of God. Nick is truly an amazing man of faith and a reflection of a life of victory, even without limbs.

In the message below Nick talks to a group of youth about the power of Christ that transformed his life:

Continue Reading »

Israel Houghton is getting ready to release his new album “Love God. Love People. The London Sessions” on August 31. The album features various collaborations with artists including Kirk Franklin, Take 6 and Fred Hammond. Click here to preview and pre-order the album. Update: From August 23rd - 30th you can listen to a Exclusive Full Album Preview on Israel Houghton’s Facebook page.

Check out the preview video below:

Album Description

Multiple GRAMMY, Stellar and Dove Award winner, Soul Train Award winner and double RIAA certified Gold-selling artist Israel Houghton highlights the greatest Gospel commandment with Love God. Love People. releasing August 31 on Integrity Music/Columbia Records. Featuring the musically masterful energy that has become synonymous with Israel Houghton recordings, the album also reveals special guest appearances by Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond and Take 6’s Claude V. McKnight, III, Mark Kibble and Joey Kibble, as well as song co-writes with Meleasa Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, Tommy Sims and Michael Gungor.

Read more from the Integrity Music Blog

The movie To Save A Life (now available on DVD) and the accompanying resources are powerful tools for youth leaders, parents and churches to present the importance of reaching out to those who are hurting:

To Save A Life is more than a movie — it’s a feature-length film with powerful follow-up opportunities to get youth, their friends and family engaged in this life-altering movement. It is a powerful indie movie about the challenges and choices of real teen life, and it dares to deal with real issues like acceptance, hurt, love, social divisions, school violence, cutting, suicide, underage drinking, teen pregnancy and divorce…

Some of the songs on the project, like the first song “You Do Great Things,” have a very “in-church” atmosphere signature to Hammond’s style where listening gives you an intimate feel of actually taking part in a service. Most of the other songs have a soulful vibe with a contemporary feel that draw you into the message. The songs are also interspersed with readings of scriptures in the interludes.

Listen to clips from the album below and click here to order.

The Merge Summit, a conference that gives those interested the entertainment industry a faith-based perspective, returns to Los Angeles, August 26-28, 2010. The program will feature top industry talent and executives including Suzanne de Passe, Pauletta Washington, Niecy Nash, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tia Mowry, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Bishop Noel Jones, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Chrisette Michele, J. Moss, Brian Courtney Wilson, Myron Williams and more.

For more information and registration for the event, visit http://www.themergesummit.com and view the press release for the event below:

From the Merge Summit Press Release
(Los Angeles, CA – August 11, 2010) — Some of the top names in the entertainment industry have joined the all star line-up for THE MERGE SUMMIT 2010. Following the great success of last year’s inaugural conference, Relevé Entertainment announced last month that THE MERGE SUMMIT 2010 will return to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, August 26 through Saturday, August 28, 2010. THE MERGE SUMMIT’s founder, Dr. Holly Carter, serves as chairperson and Robi Reed as co-chairperson of the event. The three-day conference integrates faith and entertainment and provides a platform and educational forum for men and women of faith to interface and partner with executives and talent in the entertainment industry from New York to Hollywood (see full schedule below).

WHEN:
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010

The multifaceted program will cover the spectrum of music, television, film, content, development, production, and management. General and focused breakout sessions are designed to educate and empower attendees in their respective fields. The Summit will also feature keynote addresses, presentations, and interactive panel discussions. Throughout the event, actors, directors, producers, writers, and industry executives will share insights and give feedback, as well as lend inspiration for the individual journey.

“This is a way in which to pay it forward by giving opportunities to those who are aspiring in the areas of arts and entertainment,” commented Dr. Holly Carter, President and CEO of Relevé Entertainment and founder/chairperson of THE MERGE SUMMIT. “The ultimate hope is that along with their aspirations to enter into the business, the attendees will possess a heart and desire to impact Hollywood for the Kingdom of God.”

Confirmed celebrity presenters include Suzanne de Passe, Pauletta Washington, Niecy Nash, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tia Mowry, Harry Lennix, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Bishop Noel Jones, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Chrisette Michele, J. Moss, Brian Courtney Wilson, Myron Williams, and Warryn Campbell. Entertainment executives include: Pearlena Igbokwe (Senior Vice President, Production, Showtime Networks); Devon Franklin (Vice President, Production, Columbia Pictures); Charlie Jordan-Brookins (Vice President, Programming Operations, BET); Felicia D. Henderson (“Soul Food the Series”, “Fringe”); Entertainment attorneys Darrell Thompson and Cedric Watkins; Reggie Rock-Bythewood (writer/director); James Dubose (President, Dubose Entertainment); Michael Elliott, (screenwriter); Ralph Winter (“X-Men,” “Fantastic Four,” “Star Trek”); John Dellaverson (“Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and “In The Mix”); Zola Mashariki (Senior Vice President, Production, Fox Searchlight Pictures); Ayo Davis, (Vice President, Casting, ABC Networks); Jenna Block, Creative Executive, Escape Artists); Sharla Sumpter, (Partner, Varsity Pictures); Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, (President, In the Twink of an Eye Casting); Dee Brathwaite, (Talent Agent, International Creative Management); and Everly Lee, (Talent Agent, APA) as well as executives from top industry companies including Columbia Records, EMI Publishing, Creative Artists Agency, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, BET, ABC Networks, Lionsgate Entertainment, and more.

MERGE SUMMIT participants will have the opportunity to interact with and learn directly from these professionals. Felicia D. Henderson, writer/director, Waterwalk Productions, and writer/director Reggie Rock-Bythewood will lead Writer’s Workshop for television and film and will guide writers in developing compelling scripts. The “Acting Up” session, led by Wendy Raquel Robinson, Tia Mowry, and Harry Lennix, will provide actors with performance approaches for working in theater, television and film. “Creating Music That Sells,” will provide an opportunity for music producers, songwriters and music supervisors to learn how to create music success in an ever changing media environment from music business stars and executives Warryn Campbell, Chrisette Michele, and Leotis Clyburn. In the “Talent Connection” session, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with agents, managers, and casting directors, including Ayo Davis, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Dee Brathwaite, and Everly Lee, about what it takes to get the auditions and to be a success in Hollywood.

Columbia Picture’s Devon Franklin will be the featured speaker in “The Faith Lane” session, which is designed to inform and empower attendees who are interested in merging the lanes of faith and entertainment. In the “Making of a Reality Show” session, participants will not only learn the ins and outs of producing reality programming, but five participants will be selected to pitch their reality show concepts to James Dubose, one of the top reality TV producers in the business. There also are sessions on marketing and public relations; creating financially viable projects; imaging, style and brand creation; and insights and perspectives on the music business, among others.

Special sessions will feature superstars in the entertainment field sharing their personal stories. In one special session, entertainment industry legend Suzanne de Passe will share her amazing journey in building careers of such artists as The Jackson Five, The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and others.

The Summit also will feature a “Leadership Forum.” This special forum, hosted by Monique Nelson Butts, Vice President, Brand Integration and Entertainment, Uniworld Group, Inc., will unite leaders from the entertainment industry, corporate America and the church for an important and provocative session on engaging and finding synergy with each other.

The Summit also offers sessions that can relax the body and uplift the soul. Participants can get “Morning Inspiration” each day with Psalmist and Recording Artist Myron Williams. They can also retreat to “The Wellness Lounge” for treatments such as acupuncture, reflexology, massage therapy, ear candling, and antioxidant screening. Up to two treatments per day will be available to participants by appointment only.

The event will kick-off on Thursday, August 26, 7:00 p.m. with OPENING NIGHT AT THE MERGE, a VIP reception hosted by Pauletta Washington and Bishop Noel Jones. On Friday, there will be a talent showcase, hosted by Hezekiah Walker. THE MERGE SUMMIT will culminate on Saturday evening with FREEDOM, a special concert experience featuring Kirk Franklin, Bishop Paul S. Morton, J. Moss and other special guest artists.

THE MERGE SUMMIT’s official partners are Kaiser Permanente, Johnson Products, Columbia Records, Wellness Interactive, EMI Music Publishing, Verity Records, and UPSCALE magazine.

For additional information and registration for the event, please visit http://www.themergesummit.com

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From the album “This Is Our God” from Hillsong.

Freely you gave it all for us
Surrendered your life upon that cross
Great is your love / Poured out for all
This is our God

Lifted on high from death to life
Forever our God is glorified
Servant and King / Rescued the world
This is our God…

- From “This Is Our God”