Soul Dreamer Resources

The Gospel Heritage 2010 Praise & Worship Conference is the annual event presented by Dr. Teresa Hairston, founder of Gospel Today. This year it will take place February 18-19 in Jacksonville, FL, and there are several seminars and workshops during the event targeted toward helping young adults learn more about careers in the Gospel music industry, including the Transforming a Generation workshops that will feature presenters like PJ Morton, Monica Coates, Kirk Franklin, and more:

Gospel Heritage Praise and Worship Conference

February 18-19 in Jacksonville, FL, Bethel Baptist Church
Registration information: Gospel Heritage 2010 Website – gospelheritage.org
Below are a few workshops available, visit the website for more listings.

Thursday February 18th
11:30 AM-1:30 PM

“Where Are We Now?: Understanding The Changing Music Industry Economy”
This class features a candid discussion of the recent economic changes in the Gospel music marketplace, focusing on what has changed and why. Students will hear perspectives from some of the top Gospel industry professionals and discover what this transition means.

1:45 PM-3:00 PM
“21st Century Careerscapes: Maximizing Your Opportunities In The New Music Industry”
This course features a peer-to-peer conversation with key individuals on the cutting edge of the current music industry career marketplace. Students will discover new career opportunities that exist in the Gospel music industry. They will hear from several professionals who have taken innovative approaches to their careers and ministries.

3:00 PM-4:45 PM
“PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE VITAL ELEMENT”
This is a master session focusing on the internal spiritual and social development required for success in the current Gospel music marketplace. Students will learn the difference between their talent and their calling. They will also discover the importance of developing and maintaining core relationships in the pursuit of their careers and ministries.

The next part of Dr. Naima Johnston’s seminar Seminar: What’s In Your Pots? 12 Steps To Achieve Your God Given Dream will continue on Monday, February 15 at 8pm ET. To take part in the Dream Development Mentoring Group Call, email naimasbrokenbox@yahoo.com to register and to receive the seminar materials.

In the call Dr. Naima will present a powerful teaching on how to take practical and spiritually led steps toward your God-given dreams. If you missed the past calls, you can listen to the previous one below:

More About How To Achieve Your God Given Dreams

Christian Recording Artist, author and educator, Dr. Naima Johnston has a passion to see others achieve their God Given Dreams. After many years of being told she would never make it as singer, Dr. Johnston left her position as the Associate Director of Student Life at Wright State University to launch a recording career and a brand new ministry. After years of trials, loss and failures, Dr. Johnston discovered the keys to successfully building her life and ministry. Now traveling the country encouraging and equipping others, Dr. Johnston empowers people to live the life that they were ordained to live.

“Everyone has a dream, many people think they can’t achieve them for various reasons. But as long as you have breath and God on your side, you have still have time. You just need information and confidence. I want to share the tools that I’ve learned to assist others in obtaining Godly success.”
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*Note: The 13 Letters Curriculum is 30% off until Dec 31. Click here to take advantage of this offer.

The 13 Letters Curriculum from ReachLife Ministries is a great resource for youth and young adult leaders, especially those in urban ministries:

ReachLife Ministries presents “13 LETTERS – THE CURRICULUM”, a 13 week media experience of the Pauline Epistles with a little dose of hip hop. Journey through God’s Word, unpacking Paul’s letters and see how it applies to life in today’s urban culture.

The 13 Letters Compilation Album has been one of Reach Records best selling CD’s. The use of this media has proved to be an effective teaching tool for thousands across the country. This study will serve to further unpack these books in a way you’ve never experienced before!

Over 13 weeks, artists such as Lecrae, Tedashii, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee, Flame, and Shai Linne will present a brief survey of each of the Pauline Epistles, while highlighting each of the major themes from each book. Voices from the street will also give their input on these truths. Students will leave this study with a better understanding of each Pauline Epistle as well as how it applies to them in their daily life.

Visit the ReachLife website to learn more, and to download the Leader’s Sample Guide and the Student’s Sample Guide.

Canvas is a community voting website that allows you to express yourself and glorify God through your art. The community will vote on t-shirt designs submitted by C28 Canvas members. The winning designs will be printed under the C28 Canvas Label in a limited run to be sold exclusively through C28.com. To join the community and submit your designs visit www.canvasthreads.com.

See two of the recent winning designs below, created by talented young artists, and view and purchase more winning designs at the Canvas store.

“In Defense of Love” the cover story of the November/December Issue of EEW Magazine features singer/songwriter/producer (and most recently author) PJ Morton who speaks candidly about how he feels about those who don’t support his music, and his perspective that Christians can write songs about love.

Click here to read the entire article on www.eewmagazine.com.

Press Release from the Magazine:

PJ Morton Says “Don’t Attack Me.
Just Hear Me Out”
Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award-winning Writer-Producer, PJ Morton Responds to Critics of His Music in the November/December 2009 Issue of EEW Magazine

“Don’t attack me. Just hear me out,” is the plea of Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award-winning writer-producer, PJ Morton, the author of the hotly debated new book, Why Can’t I Sing About Love? The Truth about the “Church” Against “Secular” Music. PJ, who is scheduled to release a new album February 9, 2010, has recently come under fire from those who believe that being a Christian and singing secular songs, is tantamount to attempting to mix oil and water.

“EEW Magazine was flooded with emails about the debate,” says Dianna Hobbs, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of EEW Online Magazine (www.eewmagazine.com), referencing the CNN story highlighting the opposing views held by PJ Morton and Grammy Award-nominated artist, Tye Tribbett, about whether or not a Christian can love God and sing R&B music. “It seems that the sides are split right down the middle,” says Hobbs. “One side agrees with Tye Tribbett who says absolutely no secular music and the other side agrees with PJ Morton,” who says loving God and singing love songs isn’t contradictory and shouldn’t be viewed as mutually exclusive.

“I don’t want a gospel beef!” says Tribbett, who tells EEW Magazine that he never intended to be divisive in his commentary. Notwithstanding, a rift clearly exists. While some like gospel blogger EJ Gaines (gospelpundit.com), believe PJ Morton to be a “gap-bridger,” others maintain that the leader of The PJ Morton Band is more of a polarizing figure, stirring up controversy and leading others down a wrong path of compromise. “I don’t think you should sing secular music if you love God,” says Charlene from Atlanta, GA, a reader who wrote into EEW after viewing the debate. “I just don’t agree with that and I don’t think God is pleased.”

In response to the critics of PJ’s choice to talk about real life issues in his songs, among them love, he illustrates a point during his EEW interview, while walking and talking with Dianna Hobbs on the second floor of the Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo, NY. “I could write a song about riding up this escalator right here, you know what I’m saying? And it would be a secular song,” says PJ. “But is there anything wrong or out of the will of God with riding this escalator up to the second floor?”

Though this preacher’s kid does, in fact, sing what some would classify as R&B music, he says, the difference is, he allows his Christian faith to guide his musical choices. “I think songs should reflect the way you live,” says PJ, who doesn’t sing or write profanity-laced, sexually explicit lyrics. “I want to be like Jesus and I want my heart to be right.”

The question then becomes, why is PJ, who openly professes Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior—also the same songwriter who took home Song Of The Year honors at the 2008 Stellar Awards for penning the hugely popular gospel gem, “Let Go,” recorded by new artist, DeWayne Woods—receiving such negative backlash and harsh criticism from the church?

At the request of EEW, long-time friend, Bryan Pierce, of the group Men of Standard and also pastor of Bethel Baptist Church located in Kannapolis, North Carolina, weighs in on the issue. “Now, I know PJ. I know Paul Jr. and I know where he comes from,” says Pierce. “He comes from a good place. He comes from a good space. The guy has a good heart and loves God and has always loved God and desired to please God.”

Click here to read the entire article on www.eewmagazine.com.

For anyone interested in filmmaking, here is a contest that will allow you to showcase your skills, hosted by HOSFU, a company dedicated to promoting Christ through the film industry:

CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR SHORT FILM CONTEST

Sponsored by HOSFU LC and the Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival

Albuquerque, NM (November 8, 2009) – The HOSFU Short Film Contest, sponsored by HOSFU LC, is now open for entries. Short Film Contest prizes will be awarded at the 2010 Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival banquet, held at the LifeWay conference center in Ridgecrest, NC on June 7, 2010.

Short films which are 5-30 minutes in length, including credits, will be accepted through April 1, 2010. Ten semifinalists for each award category will be announced on May 1, 2010.

There will be four prize packages awarded for Best Short Film, Runner Up Short Film, Best Actor and Best Actress. All prize packages include cash awards. To receive any award, the entrant must be registered for the 2010 Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival as a full access student, by May 15, 2010. For details on the prize packages, please click here.

“As the co-directors of the Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival, Rodney and I are so excited to be joining forces with organizations that have our same calling, passion and excitement, to spread the hope of Jesus to a confused world,” says Lori Marett. “Media represent a global force in all cultures, and we stand in awe and anticipation as we wait to see God’s mighty hand at work through the films that will be produced because of this contest. Rodney and I are sure that this competition, under the sponsorship of HOSFU, will foster excellence in film making and enable the delivery of messages that will touch lives eternally.”

The contest is sponsored by HOSFU, a company dedicated to promoting Christ through the film industry. “HOSFU is blessed to be sponsoring this year’s Short Film Contest at the Gideon 2010,” says HOSFU CEO Eric Highland. “The Gideon, sponsored by LifeWay, is one of the top Christian media events of the year and is truly a don’t-miss event. We fully anticipate a high level of quality submissions from independent filmmakers, to make this year’s Short Film Contest the best that the Gideon has ever seen.”

For complete Rules and Regulations, please click here.

For the Short Film Contest Judging Criteria, please click here.

For the Short Film Contest entry form, please click here.

For More Information Contact Brittany Hardy: brit@hosfu.com
505.450.5022

How To Achieve Your God Given Dreams

Christian Recording Artist, author and educator, Dr. Naima Johnston has a passion to see others achieve their God Given Dreams. After many years of being told she would never make it as singer, Dr. Johnston left her position as the Associate Director of Student Life at Wright State University to launch a recording career and a brand new ministry. After years of trials, loss and failures, Dr. Johnston discovered the keys to successfully building her life and ministry. Now traveling the country encouraging and equipping others, Dr. Johnston empowers people to live the life that they were ordained to live.

“Everyone has a dream, many people think they can’t achieve them for various reasons. But as long as you have breath and God on your side, you have still have time. You just need information and confidence. I want to share the tools that I’ve learned to assist others in obtaining Godly success.”

Dr. Johnston will be hosting a free Conference Call on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time to teach participants how to, “Go With What They Got!” On the verge of quitting ministry due to a lack of growth Dr. Johnston discovered that if she followed the example of Gideon she would be successful. In the Bible, Judges Chapter 6, the Lord instructs Gideon to fight a battle he could not possibly win. When Gideon informs the Lord he can’t win the battle, the Lord tells him not to worry since He would in fact be going with him. Dr. Johnston now does over 100 ministry engagement a year, has self published two books and is completing the recording of her second CD.

Seminar participants will learn: The 4 Things That Keep You From Achieving Your God Given Dream, The 9 Things That Must Be Done To Achieve Your God Given Dream and 5 Uncommon Things To Motivate Yourself!

This free Conference Call will be a powerful preparation tool for those who want to launch a new business, a ministry or get motivated to achieve a life long dream! Participants must register and spaces are limited. To register send an email to: naimasbrokenbox@yahoo.com for more information and registration for the “Go With What You Got Conference Call on Dec. 1, 2009.

Dr. Naima Johnston is the founder and CEO of Broken Box Ministries, an innovative arts and education company. She is the author of the forthcoming training manual, “Go With What You Got!” As well as, Called To Sing, 13 Mistakes TO Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry and Dr. Nay’s Random Recovery Life Lessons. Her newest CD, “This Place” will be releasing in March 2010. For more information or interview inquires please visit www.naimajohnston.com.

Stay tuned for the next Soul Dreamer Inspiration Interviews on the Dream in Soul Blog. Next we’ll talk to a young filmmaker who is using her passion to spread the love of God. We’ll also talk to a visual artist who teaches others to use the arts for God’s glory.

Here’s a valuable resource for anyone interested in working in the Gospel Music Industry, from aspiring industry executives to artists:

After spending 17+ years serving many of the top-selling artists in Gospel Music (including Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and many others), industry veteran Monica Coates has written her first book, The Beginner’s Guide To The Gospel Music Industry, which has just been released.

Truly the first of its kind for the Gospel Music marketplace, Monica’s book not only breaks down the attributes and idiosyncrasies that are unique to Gospel Music, but also takes great care in exhorting the reading to learn the difference between calling and talent, and how those concepts apply to pursuing a career in Gospel Music ministry. Written in a warm, conversational tone, the book also presents many foundational principles essential for a successful career for both the aspiring artist and industry executive alike. With wisdom drawn from her Christian faith, Monica also offers valuable insight for anyone eager to understand their God-given purpose or seeking to apply their beliefs to their professional life.

GRAMMY® Award-winning artist/songwriter/producer Fred Hammond hails the book, commenting it “is a must read for those who plan to take their music career seriously.”

For more information, to order and to download a sample chapter from the book visit: http://www.monicacoates.com