Young Artist Snapshots: Interview With Lauren & Lucas
On SOAR we feature young people (from those beginning their ministries to those more established) who are using their talents to bring glory to God. Check out our interview with brother/sister music duo Lauren & Lucas Gandy who began by posting creative videos on Youtube showcasing both their musical and production skills and their love for Jesus. By creating acoustic covers of songs by Christian artists, from Lecrae to Kirk Franklin and Skillet, Lauren and Lucas’ videos show you can have fun while bringing glory to God.
SOAR: Can you give us some background on yourselves; how old are you guys, what year in school? Where are you from, and how would you describe yourself for us to get to know you better?
Lauren: Age: 15, Education: 11th Grade, Would describe myself as: Sarcastic, Energetic
Lucas: Age: 22, Education: College, Would describe myself as: Relaxed, Easygoing
Lauren & Lucas: We are from a small town called Mize, The Watermelon Capitol of the World.
Lauren: HAHA- no. seriously, we have a festival every year.
SOAR: When did you start getting into music and what inspired you to start making videos?
Lauren & Lucas: We both remember hearing our mom sing in church. We would hear her practice all the time around the house. She’s pretty much where we got our rhythm. She would also have K-Love playing in the car when we would go somewhere. Then in 2005, a friend introduced us to new artists like Grits, KJ-52, and Toby Mac.
In early 2008 we noticed that some YouTube users were getting a decent amount of subscribers by covering and making acoustic versions of secular music. We noticed that there were hardly anybody covering Christian artists, especially Christian rap. Then in December of 2008 we decided to throw ourselves onto the World Wide Web, and here we are now. We’ve been doing our own video-ing and it has been less hassle with just being two of us.
Check Out Lauren & Lucas’s Video Introducing Their Youtube Channel
SOAR: How has the response been? Have you gotten any comments on your videos that have really touched you?
Lauren & Lucas: We’ve been getting tons of support. We even had a few people start their own music ministry on YouTube. The comments we get are so meaningful to us. It’s so wonderful to see what an impact we have on people.
SOAR: I heard Lecrae responded to the “Praying for You” cover you did; how did you react to that? Did it help spread the word about your other videos?
Lauren & Lucas Acoustic Cover of Lecrae’s “Praying For You”
Lauren: We were aware that all the Christian Rap ‘Acoustic’ covers were originally secular music (called ‘Apologetics’) but nobody had ever tried to cover a song that was Christian Rap to begin with. So we took a shot at it, but we had a feeling that Lecrae would never see it. With the billions of YouTube videos out there; we felt that it was pretty much impossible. Then sure enough, he found it. Lucas was up late one night and found out from our followers that Lecrae posted our cover on his Twitter and Facebook Page. I was asleep at the time till he came and woke me up. He was very loud and I was very annoyed. Ha ha but It finally hit me the next morning. It definitely helped us get some exposure, although, that’s not what we are doing this for. =)
SOAR: Who are some of your favorite music artists and influences?
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Get Ready for Impact 2010 – The Comeback
Update: Watch the live stream of the conference December 27-30 and access archives for 30 days at www.impactmovement.com…
The Impact Movement, a national collegiate ministry, presents their upcoming national conference Impact ’10: The COMEBACK. The event will take place this December 27, 2010 through December 30, 2010. This is the 10th national conference of The Impact Movement and it will be held in Atlanta, GA at the Marriott Marquis Hotel downtown.
Conference Description From The Impact Movement:
GET READY TO FOCUS. RECOGNIZE the One who’s given your life purpose. Get set to REUNITE with God’s people through a vision compelling to thousands in ’91 and is still alive with you in 2010. Get RECHARGED to make a difference on your campus, on your block, on this planet. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!
One of our first confirmed featured speakers is PRISCILLA SHIRER! She’s an Impact 91 Alumnus, and an Impact 2004 and 2006 past featured speaker. More speakers revealed soon and our special music guest!
Remember, GET READY to Save the DATE, Save the MONEY! Impact ’10, It’s COMING!
For more info visit the Impact 2010 Conference website at http://www.impact2010.com, or the Impact Movement website at http://www.impactmovement.com. You can also follow the event on Facebook to get updates and to interact with other attendees.
Check out this video of past speakers and artists at Impact Conferences:
About the Impact Movement
While we’re known primarily for the national Impact conference that we host every two years, The Impact Movement is much more than a conference. We are a movement of evangelism and discipleship with influence nationally and internationally. We exist to mobilize leaders of African descent who are spiritually focused, financially responsible and morally fit and will take the truth of Jesus Christ to the campus, community and the world.
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Message Pick: Nick Vujicic – “God Will Pull You Through”
“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:
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Dream On At The Revolve Tour 2011
Awesome music, straight-talking messages, drama, and a ton of fun combine for a 2-day weekend event for teen girls: The Revolve Tour, coming to a city near you!
The Revolve Tour is an encouraging 2-day weekend event for teen girls featuring relatable speakers, music artists including dramas, and more. The 2011 theme is “Dream On” based on Luke 1:37 NCV: “God can do anything!”
This year’s line-up includes:
Jenna Lucado Bishop, Chad Eastham, Courtney Clark Cleveland, Kathryn MccCormick, Jamie-Grace Harper, Group 1 Crew, Britt Nicole and Hawk Nelson
For more information about Revolve and to register yourself or youth group visit www.revolvetour.com. (Revolve is also looking for adults to volunteer at the events. Click here for more information.)
Check out SOAR’s interview with Revolve Tour Speaker Jenna Lucado Bishop:
With realness and encouragement Jenna Lucado Bishop shares her heart with young women around the country, relating to their everyday questions and delving into the truth of God’s word with them. Whether speaking on stage at The Revolve Tour, a faith and fun-filled weekend for teen girls, or co-authoring books with her father, best-selling author and speaker Max Lucado, Jenna’s passion for God is apparent and inspiring, and her energy and the warmth of her personality are inviting. In this interview Jenna shares how she was led to get involved with The Revolve Tour and gives advice for dreaming on in God and serving Him right where we are, even in uncertain times..
Click Here To Continue Reading The Interview
Check out the promo video below to see clips from last year’s tour:
About the Revolve Tour
Since 1996, more than 4 million women have packed themselves and their friends into sold-out arenas across North America for 2-day events that are inspiring, encouraging, and fun. Every year, they come back for another weekend with Women of Faith—and for many of those years, they said (in pretty much these exact words), “This is awesome! But what about something for my daughter?”
In 2005, Women of Faith created The Revolve Tour as a response to those requests. The result is a one-of-a-kind inspirational weekend for 6th– to 12th–grade girls that combines award-winning bands and speakers with real, relevant messages in a high-energy event.
Pictures From The Revolve Tour in Garland, TX
SOAR’s editor got to volunteer at and attend the The Revolve Tour in Garland, TX. Check out some pictures from the event below and click here for all of our coverage of the Garland event.
Read More »
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Fabulous Life of a Teenager – From the Rebelution
“…Recognize the myth of adolescence…God has a bigger plan, a bigger calling, He’s given me greater potential than that…” – Alex Harris
Fabulous Life of a Teenager is a great series of videos created by brothers Alex and Brett Harris, founders of The Rebelution: “a teenage rebellion against the low expectations of an ungodly culture.” (Click here to read a previous post about the brothers and The Rebelution).
The videos, made in collaboration with Lifechurch.tv are a continuation of their ministry and movement to challenge young people to use their youth for God, doing things that are challenging and purpose-full. Check out the videos below and their site & blog at TheRebelution.com. For youth leaders, click here to download accompanying materials for the series.
According to popular belief, being a teenager is a fabulous life.
Wild parties, flashy clothes, shiny gear—the whole decade is basically a vacation from responsibility. But God has something more in mind. Our youth is a launch pad into His mission for our life. When we reset our expectations for our time as teenagers, we will accomplish things for God that are far more fabulous than we could imagine…
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Trip Lee on Christlikeness & His New Album Between Two Worlds
Trip Lee recently gave a four hour teaching on the topic of “Christlikeness,” at the Legacy Institute in Houston, a leadership institute launched by the Legacy Conference.
The Legacy 2010 Conference, “for those that are serious about being a disciple of Christ and making disciples for Christ,” will be held July 29 – 31 in Chicago at the Moody Bible Institute. Visit www.legacy-conference.org for more information.
Below are two videos that highlight Trip’s teaching series during the institute, a few reflections from attendees, and a short interview about Trip’s new album “Between Two Worlds”. Videos by Sketch the Journalist
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Paige Armstrong On God’s Love & True Beauty
Should I change my hairstyle? Am I skinny enough? Will I look bad in this?
There are so many pressures to want to look a certain way today, and we as girls often scrutinize ourselves in the mirror and compare ourselves to others. I love this blog post by singer and speaker Paige Armstrong, on what really makes girls beautiful. Paige said on her blog:
“I am finding that it is not a style that makes people’s head turn. It’s not the amount of make up or the exquisitely crafted hair. What sets a person a part, is just being themselves.
“Whether they’re short or tall, pale or tan, wearing glasses or not, round or long… it doesn’t matter. It takes knowing yourself: Who you are and what you’re not. Where you’ve been and where you want to go. What you like and how you want to come across.
“So the bottom line? Just be yourself. That’s what’s beautiful.”
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
She’s right, everyone is unique in their own way and though society tells us what is supposedly beautiful – a certain weight, hairstyle, clothing – it is really loving the way God made us and taking care of the body He gave us that makes us truly beautiful. Express your own style and be yourself – remember that God regards the heart as most important.
Paige also has a song called “Airbrushed Magazines” on her latest album “Wake Up,” talking about this very subject. I love the edgy rock sound and especially the message; take a listen below:
“You’re beautiful the way you are, don’t let this world define you, what’s wrong, what’s right don’t give up the fight, it’s time, to feel, what it is to be real, and though, they say we should live life their way, who are they, to say who we are?” – Paige Armstrong
About Paige
Paige Armstrong is a 20 year-old music artist and speaker, and what’s most amazing is that she’s a former Make-A-Wish child and cancer survivor (click here to watch her story). She’s a regular host of the show iShine Knect on TBN, aimed at Christian tweens, and her music and speaking ministry show how passionate she is about encouraging young people to embrace their purpose. Visit her website online at www.paigehasastory.com and follow her on Twitter @PaigeHasAStory, she’s always sharing something uplifting and inspiring.
Watch this clip of Paige from an episode of iShine, about how much God loves us and how we were created with purpose:
Read More »
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Video: Blanca from Group 1 Crew Talks About “Beautiful”
Group 1 Crew released their EP Spacebound at the beginning of June and one of the songs is called “Beautiful”. The song has a great message about realizing that we are wonderfully made by God and that our beauty comes from Him. We can shake off our insecurities and walk in the confidence He gives.
Some Lyrics From Beautiful:
I’ve been thinking bout the way I see, myself and I, just can’t understand why I say
All those hurtful things about myself, insecurities, they don’t seem to just go awayAnd it’s hard for me to understand, you loving me, through all the mistakes that I make
I’m so glad that you will never leave, keep reminding me, how you see me each day I wake…
Visit the Group 1 Crew website for the rest of the lyrics, more videos and for updates on their album and tour. Also, listen to the entire “Spacebound EP streamed online from their Facebook page. Click here to order the EP on iTunes.
Blanca Reyes talks about the meaning of the song “Beautiful” below:
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Interview with Kirk Franklin On His Book The Blueprint
Pursuing A Life Mapped By the Maker
His music and ministry spans generations. From producer, to musician, speaker and host, Kirk Franklin’s ability to be both light-hearted with humor and raw with realness and honesty draws in people of all ages and backgrounds. Adding a new level of transparency and spiritual insight, Kirk Franklin launches his first book The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms on May 18. In the book he charts a guide of personable wisdom speaking on everything from faith and marriage to race and life in the black community. “The Blueprint” aims to inspire anyone to view and plan his or her life from an unearthly perspective.
Kirk Franklin spoke to Dream in Soul about the vision of the book, his ministry expanding into the Twitterverse, his definition of success, and creating a bridge between contemporary Christian and gospel music. Tune into the conversation below:
Dream in Soul: Hi, thank you so much for talking to me today, it’s such an honor. I wanted to start out by asking you what inspired you to write this book at this point in your life and what was your vision in writing it?
Kirk Franklin: The book came about because I’ve been doing a lot of public speaking, and speaking at colleges, churches, and conferences, and so people thought that it would be good that I did a book. So a couple of publishers became interested in the idea, and now here we are with “The Blueprint.”
DS: What was your vision, did you have a specific age group in mind when writing the book or is it for everyone?
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Dream in Soul is a new media site for the young-at-heart and purpose-full, inspiring you to live and use your talents passionately for God. To learn more, 
Click Here for our Interview with Music Artist & Producer TJ Pompeo on Dreams, Faith & Trust
