Started as a part of the Impact Movement (a ministry geared toward college students) and now in partnership with Cross Movement Records comes Level 3:16 bringing a fresh, energetic and spiritually uplifting sound. The group blends the sounds of Hip Hop, R&B and urban gospel, and is made up of six members – two male MCs, a female DJ and three female vocalists. I love that their music brings beats that you can enjoy and move along to, and still is lyrically full of substance that can move the heart. It’s also not just about the music for Level 3:16 – they see themselves as missionaries who are called to creatively share the Gospel where ever they go.

You can connect with Level 3:16 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/level316. They will also be at the upcoming Impact Conference 2011: The Remedy, taking place December 28, 2011 through January 1, 2012. Read more about the conference here on SOAR, and visit www.theremedy11.com to find out more. Click here to watch Impact 11 streaming live during the conference.

In the video below the members of the group talk about what inspired their song called LOVE.

Watch the video for LOVE below:

More About Level 3:16

Answering the call of Scripture to use their God-given talents for the purpose of promoting the gospel as urban missionaries, new group Level 3:16 enters the scene focused and determined as musicianaries (music-missionaries). Uniting this unique collection of young, energetic artists from all across the country is one common mission: to elevate their culture and generation to the next level of reality that goes beyond what is seen to what is unseen; that level begins with embracing the gospel message of the quintessential/renowned Bible verse John 3:16 as both the means and goal of life itself…

Offering an eclectic fusion of Hip Hop, R&B and urban gospel, Level 3:16 is comprised of 2 male emcees, 3 female vocalists and 1 female DJ. Skillfully combining melodic Hip Hop and hard-hitting beats with the musicality and 3-part harmonies of R&B, topped off with classic lyricism, a strong vocal blend and spoken word, the versatility of the band is inspiring and impressive.

The inherent focus on missions rooted in the purpose of Level 3:16 is based in the group’s origins and formation. Each summer, The Impact Movement conducts a music-oriented mission trip near Indianapolis, IN at the headquarters of Keynote, which is the music, creative and innovative ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. As the college students and young adults gather together, Impact takes them through an intensive training and development program, preparing them for a tour comprised of outreach concerts in various parts of the US.

The 6 members of Level 3:16 met on the 2009 summer trip, where The Impact Movement assembled and developed the group. Now, they have each committed to return as full-time musicianaries, where they are required to raise their own financial support. As they embark on this journey to help their culture aspire to the next level a docu-reality show will be filmed that documents Level 3:16′s music and ministry training, recording of their new album and summer outreach tour.

Recording artist Melinda Watts, winner of the Gospel Music Channel’s singing competition Gospel Dream, knows firsthand about the power of dreams and the importance of being given the opportunity to grow into one’s purpose. As a former teacher her heart has always been geared toward youth, especially girls who grew up in difficult social and financial situations where dreams often seemed so far away.

Those experiences with young people are what led Melinda to start the Dream Girlz Gathering Foundation which supports girls from underserved neighborhoods and hosts high-energy, power-packed empowerment conferences designed to uplift, inspire, and teach girls ranging in age from 8-18. Full of pampering, fun, worship, workshops, prayer and more, girls everywhere are experiencing a life-changing encounter.

Below: Watch Melinda Watts and the Dream Girlz Gathering in action at one of their 2011 events in Seattle.

In November, during National Adoption Month, Melinda’s charity hosted 75 enthusiastic girls at her Foundation’s G.L.A.M. (Girls Leadership and Mentoring) Camp at the Pinebrook Conference and Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. The girls who attended G.L.A.M. took part in a variety of activities, from swimming and hiking to inspiring workshops and creative arts. Each attendee enjoyed a special time of bonding, sharing, praying, and worshiping, in a fun, safe environment. Testimonials poured in from girls who said it was a life-changing weekend.

According to Melinda, a greater number of girls and their parents desired to participate, but the Dream Girlz Gathering staff was unable to accommodate a larger group—something Watts is hoping to change with donations and support from individuals, ministries, and groups interested in linking up with her cause.

“There are so many young girls who need love and guidance and I want to be able to help as many as possible,” Watts, who is currently working on her new album to be released in 2012, tells EEW Magazine. Through the sale of the charity single and charitable donations of “Dream Girlz Gathering Angels,” the name designated for supporters, Watts anticipates the day when the Foundation will be able to assist more girls.

Click here to find out how you can support the Dream Girlz Gathering Christmas Dream Fund and download Melinda’s Christmas single “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

The Impact Movement (a ministry for college students) presents their conference Impact 11: The Remedy this year December 28, 2011 through January 1, 2012. Last year SOAR posted some recaps from the conference here and here, and you can also watch the live stream of the conference starting at 6pm CT on December 28 and find out more about the conference at www.theremedy11.com.

Watch the Promo Video for The Remedy Below

More About the Impact 11: The Remedy Conference

Featured Speakers: Keith Battle, Rasool Berry, Jada Edwards, Dr. Charles Gilmer, Darryl Lamar Smith
Featured Music Artists: Mali Music & Level 3:16

Our world aches from loss of life, dreams deferred and utter brokenness. Even in lives that seem fairly good or happy, there are disappointments and frustrations. But, there is a Great Hope. We want you to experience His freedom and the remedy He offers in New Orleans this December at Impact ’11, the eleventh national conference of The Impact Movement. Six years ago, Impact helped revive hope lost in the wake of Hurricane Katrina through the service project Impact N.O.W. We return this year, challenged to receive the remedy in our own lives and inspired to take the remedy to our broken world. We invite you to join us. You will never be the same.

Visit www.theremedy11.com for conference information, giveaways, and to register.

“I want my music to offer the hope and encouragement I didn’t get…” – Lecrae

As a child, Hip Hop artist Lecrae’s world was void of good role models. Growing up with a single mom, he would watch rap videos at his grandmother’s house and developed an ability to rap himself. Yet Lecrae wrestled with insignificance, having never met his father and enduring a life of abuse and neglect. He sought to fill this void by surrounding himself with gangsters.

Before long, Lecrae was embroiled in a world filled with drugs, theft, alcohol and gang activity. “I didn’t fit in anywhere. I was just a misfit of a person,” he said.

Little did he know that his view on life would soon be jolted, opening his eyes to the One who valued his life as significant. The One who cared enough to die for him. The One who is behind his music…


From I Am Second

Author, speaker and ministry leader Tony Snipes helps today’s gifted artisans answer questions about their purpose and creative calling through his initiatives Art Lessons From God and Kreative Kingdom.

“What is it that you love doing that you wouldn’t even have to have anybody pay you for… That’s your passion…the beauty of it would be that if you’re pursuing that and you’re getting paid for it then it’s not even like work.” – Tony Snipes

Be sure to check out the resource links at the end of the interview including a free download of Tony’s audio resource “How To Identify Your Creative Calling: Your CALLING, Your CAREER, Your JOB…What’s The Difference?”

Most everyone has asked these questions:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• What should I be doing?

Artists in particular, from painters to musicians, may ask these questions regarding their gifts:

• Who am I as an artist?
• Why do I have this talent?
• What does God want me to do with it?

Tony Snipes, a gifted artist himself and founder of Kreative Kingdom, Inc. a non-profit faith-based art initiative, began asking these questions and created a resource to help other artists discover their creative purpose.

Tony’s project, Art Lessons from God delves into these questions of gifting and calling. The blog, workshops, books and other resources were created with the goal of helping artists and designers discover God’s purpose and plan for their artistic talent. Watch Tony introduce the site below:

Though the site is targeted toward visual artists it has much insight that could inspire artists of any type from writers and performers to musicians and filmmakers. Many of the topics explored can apply to a variety of arts, like “Anointed versus Talented: What’s the Difference?” to “Discovering a “God” idea vs a “Good” idea.”

Often in our society we acknowledge the “how” regarding talents of individuals but may not always consider the deeper questions involved with “why”. In this interview Tony Snipes discusses his background in the visual arts and gives advice to other artists in figuring out their “why” and God’s purpose for them:

Dream in Soul: Hi Tony, thanks for speaking to me today. Can you tell us a little about who you are: What is your background in art and your profession?

Tony Snipes: Well prior to going into graphic design and illustration I have been drawing and painting all of my life but especially kind of training myself to draw and sketch from my comic books as a kid. So I did a lot of drawing back then, and am professionally trained as a graphic designer – graphic design and illustration…that’s pretty much my professional background with art…

Below is one of Tony Snipes’ pieces entitled “Endure.”

DS: What inspired you to start your website “Art Lessons From God”?

Tony Snipes: What really started challenging me is and kind of pushed me towards starting the site was based on a conversation that I had with a young man back in the late ‘90s. He was an artist as well and he was about to graduate from high school, and was contemplating going to art school or taking something else… We were talking in church and both of us started asking, where is the artist in the Bible?

For this Soul Connection Message Pick, here’s “5 Things Every Adult Should Know” from Axis, the 18-20+ community at Willow Creek Community Church. If you live near South Barrington, IL, check out their Gatherings every Wednesday night.

Message Notes:
- What do some of the plots of children’s movies in America tell us about the messages we give to kids about adulthood?
- “How do we begin to move out of our passivity and out of our consumption to begin to experience life in a real way?”
- “Life’s not about you, it’s about something way bigger than you, you just get to be apart of it…”

Music Pick: Mighty – Kierra Sheard

I love the upbeatness and message of Kierra Sheard’s song Mighty, from her upcoming album:

Kierra Sheard and her young adult ministry Bold Right Life are presenting another conference this year, the BOLD RIGHT LIFE Experience 2011. Special guests include Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Welton Smith IV, Pastor Jonathan Miller, Jonathan Nelson, DA T.R.U.T.H, BRL and many more. The event is taking place August 11-13, in Detroit, MI. Register Online today at www.boldrightlife.com Kierra also has new music coming out on in October 2011 featuring BRL and entitled FREE.

Check out the promo video below:

In vivid, moving expression Oraia, a writer, minister and and spoken word artist, delivers a powerful piece at a Teen Mania Conference, on God’s dreams, and how we can follow His lead making an impact on our culture. The story she tells through her words is raw and passionate:

Visit www.oraiaspeaks.com for booking information and more videos, from Oraia.

As both a writer and public speaker, Oraia has fused her gifting into a powerful creative tool through the art of “Spoken Word”. This unique anointing has given Oraia a distinct voice not only within the body of Christ but far beyond. Her message has torn down walls of cultural and racial division and is gripping the hearts of young men and women from every walk of life. Oraia has been honored to minister at an extensive collection of diverse churches and venues including The Potter’s House & Teen Mania’s “Battlecry”. She also sits on the Creative Team for Upsidedown Inc. and is the Producer for Youth Explosion Ministries in New York City where she serves under the leadership of Pastors Michael, Adam and Chris Durso.

Oraia Speaks On Using Our Gifts for Him & God’s Dreams- Inspiring Spoken Word

In another piece called “Dead Breathe” Oraia speaks on how so many waste their gifts and talents when they don’t use them them to the glory of God. The piece is bold and sure to inspire you…

The Passion 4 Christ Movement’s Official Poet Janette…ikz shares a beautiful piece during P4CM’s Lyricist Lounge 4 on “Waiting” on love. She has an amazing way with words and I’m sure you can relate to her waiting woes. Check out www.P4CM.com for more poems and the date of the next Lyricist Lounge.

A few months back Dream in Soul Interviewed Stephanie Rodnez, a young filmmaker who is using her passion for making movies to inspire other young people through her company Christ Effect Entertainment. Stephanie’s latest project is Youth of Christ, a fun feature length film about a lazy youth group’s struggle to host a youth revival at their church. The message of the movie is that no matter what age you are, you’re never too young to do big things for Jesus Christ. If you are in the South Florida area you are welcome to attend the screening which is open to the public with free admission, Friday, March 4th at 7:30pm in Fort Lauderdale. See below for more details.

Click Here for the Dream in Soul Interview with Stephanie Rodnez

Check out the trailer for the film Youth of Christ below:

More About Youth of Christ & The Upcoming Release Event

South Florida native Stephanie Rodnez is out to build a strong Christian film industry in South Florida, starting with the premiere of her first feature length film created for theatrical release, “Youth of Christ.” The event is taking place on Friday, March 4th, 7:30pm, at the First Baptist Church of Plantation, where she’s been a member since she was four years old.

Now 24, Rodnez is eager to see filmmakers and South Florida churches closely aligned. “Youth of Christ is a movie that inspires teenagers to get out of their pews and do something big for Jesus Christ, and we’re praying that once churches see this film, we’ll see a boom in young adult led ministries here in South Florida,” says Rodnez.

Youth of Christ is a film about a lazy youth group with a reputation for mediocrity as they struggle to plan and execute a youth revival at their church. The story begins when Casey, a 25 year old woman fresh out of seminary school, travels to the First Baptist Church of South Florida to become the new leader of the young adult ministry.

Known as a bunch of lazy teenagers, the ministry’s activities are limited to watching movies and monthly game nights. Once Casey is hired, everything changes. The young adults begin to see their value as members of the body of Christ, and in turn become what Jesus intended them to be all along.

Rodnez produced and directed Youth of Christ through her company, Christ Effect Entertainment, during the spring of 2010. The 120 page screenplay was written in just two and a half days and principal photography on the film was completed in just 12 days, from April 12th-24th. Rodnez, a south Florida native, made sure to use locations only from the sunny state to show off her hometown.

“By the grace of God, this movie is the first of many that Christian production companies will shoot here in South Florida,” Rodnez says. She is already in development for her company’s next film, slated to be shot in South Florida early next spring.

The company is seeking to distribute “Youth of Christ” theatrically or through church screenings, following the model used by Tyler Perry when he started in the entertainment business.

The screening is open to the public, and Rodnez is hoping that a majority of South Florida ministry leaders will attend. “We want to build a force so strong that the world will have no choice but to call us Godlywood when they talk about us,” Rodnez says with a smile on her face.

The film will premiere on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 7:30pm at the First Baptist Church of Plantation, located at 150 NW 46th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33317. The screening is free admission and open to the public. For media passes to the screening, email srodnez@CEEChrist.com.

About Christ Effect Entertainment, LLC
Incorporation Date: April 8, 2008

Christ Effect Entertainment: “See our films, CEE Jesus Christ.” CEE’s mission is to bring quality media content to young adults that inspire their walk for Jesus Christ and help them grow in their commitment to Him. Christ Effect Entertainment is distinguished in that it is entertainment created specifically for young adult Christians.

Contact
Stephanie Rodnez
Email: srodnez@CEEChrist.com

To connect with Stephanie Rodnez and Christ Effect Entertainment visit the website www.CeeChrist.com or join her “Youth of Christ” Facebook page. You can also read her blog at http://godlywoodgirl.wordpress.com.